Menu
Do you use Twitter? How often do you check-in?
Twitter Tips for Newbies
If you’re trying to figure out the best way to maximise your Twitter usage, here are three steps you can take to make the most out of Twitter use. And no, you don’t really need to do this daily if you’re not able to. You can always schedule 2-3x/week check-in with Twitter. But, always best to check-in at least once a week if you want to get something out of your investment in this platform.
Scroll through the last few Tweets to see if anything interests you. And, if not, you can also go in to your lists and saved search terms just to check. ReTweet posts that you find interesting. When you find an article you like, share it on Twitter.
If you’re sharing articles that interest you, not just work-related ones, your followers/contacts would be grateful for it. There are many times when I have received notes telling me they’re grateful for me sharing certain posts. So, don’t think of it is promoting. Think of sharing posts as a service that you’re giving to your contacts on Twitter.
Say thank you to people who may have RTd or mentioned you and respond to any comments or messages you have received.
When it comes to thanking people for RTs or Favourites, you don’t need to do it individually. You can wait until you have a few people who you can thank, so you’re able to thank in bulk and not flood your stream with thank yous.
However, if you have someone who ReTweets you with a personalised comment, that merits an individual thank you and response.
No, it doesn’t have to be something earth shattering and controversial. We all have different levels of comfort when it comes to sharing. So, feel free to stay within the comforts of your chosen sharing level. For example, sharing that you just enjoyed a tall white latte on your way to work is something that people can really find “relatable”. And therefore, adds some vibrance to your Twitter stream. In fact, with great mobile phone cameras that enable you to share quick snaps of the world around you, this is also one good way of sharing something from your world.
Be careful not to overshare, though, especially if you see your Twitter account as part of your professional online presence. Checking in to Foursquare or Yelp at the supermarket for the third time that week and sharing each check-in on Twitter may not be the best way to establish your online presence.
Shai Coggins is the Manager and Chief Digital Media Specialist at Vervely, an Australia-based agency serving local and international clients. One of the company's main clients is Microsoft. Shai has been featured in a number of media due to her online work, including being named as one of Fast Company's "Most Influential Women in Technology" list (2009).
