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Yep that little guy is a magician. I'm pretty sure Twitter is made of rainbows and pixie dust. And as you may have noticed I am very active on Twitter. But do you really understand how the magic of Twitter works? I hope so. If not, I'm here to give you a few do's and don'ts...DO:
- Remember it's a PUBLIC forum. This means that anyone who follows you, or searches for something you might have mentioned can see your Tweets. That's a GOOD thing. But if you think you're having a private conversation just because you're @ tweeting someone? Newsflash: Other people can see it. So only say what you would in public. And be prepared for others to jump in the conversation. If they do, welcome and include them. Please.
- Tweet links to help out other writers. Share the love the same way you do in the blogosphere! I click on links all the time, and I try to tweet those I think are especially useful to other writers, and explain why. This helps 1. The blogger that wrote it. 2. Someone who may benefit from reading it. 3. You.
- Use Hashtags. There are many that writers follow. Such as, #amwriting #amrevising, #query and #writetip. Also make up your own! #Cuzitsfun and #writersarealittlecrazythatway
- Participate in online chats. like #YaLitChat #WritersRoad and #KidLitChat. It can make you dizzy watching the tweets fly, but it's a ton of fun and I promise if you do more than lurk it'll be worth it! Don't know where to start? Try this link from @InkyElbows.
- Retweet things that deserve a RT. You clicked on a link you liked? A quote that inspired? A comment that struck a chord? Pass it on!
DON'T:
- Use Twitter solely for self-promotion. When someone follows me, I click on them. I look at your bio, possibly others I trust who follow you, and your LAST SEVERAL TWEETS. If I see you promoting your book or blog several times in a row, I can't close the window fast enough. IF I see you saying things of value, whether that's humorous, annectdotal, or links/retweets of interest, I go ahead and follow you back. Then if you occasionally tweet for yourself, I forgive you. And I MIGHT EVEN BE INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING YOU!
- Give a play by play of your life. Please. I don't need to know you brushed your teeth this morning and when. Unless you accidentally used mousse... So if you can make it interesting, GREAT! But if there's no emotion, no reason, etc. then it probably didn't need to be tweeted.
- Say anything you might regret later. I know I touched on this above, but it's such an important point. You should be yourself, but you should also remember that what you say represents you. So if you say something unprofessional you might regret it later.
Did I miss anything? Do you like Twitter? Why and why not?
Great advice. I feel sad when I see writers that are just self promoting b/c that actually has a negative effect on me. I run the other way and if they promote too much I disregard altogether. But become my friend and act like you care and that's a different story if you toot your own horn once in a awhile.
ReplyDeleteI've grown to love Twitter, but I'm still learning to use it. I'm terrible with hashtags and need to get better about them! Still, it's so fantastic to be part of that huge, collective conversation, and I've really enjoyed all the interactions I've had and the people I've "met". I do agree about not giving the play-by-play--I've actually unfollowed because the overwhelming minutiae just got to me. But I do ALWAYS appreciate when people tweet links--I've gotten to see cool stuff and even followed people I never would have known about otherwise. Great, useful post!
ReplyDeleteI like Twitter (way more than FB), but I still don't use it as much as I should. After blogging, I'm kind of worn out.
ReplyDeleteI check out what the person last tweeted about too before following them. And I unfollow them when they DM me to tell me to check out their book. I don't even like it when someone DM's me to thank me for following them because that takes me time to click open in my inbox and read it. I just naturally assume they're happy they've added one more follower to their pile. ;)
I LOVE that Twitter dude. :D
Excellent advice. I'm fairly new to using Twitter, but am seeing its value! Fun, easy, informative medium. Love the writers #sites.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points, Lisa! I'd like to add political bashing on both sides. That's not why I'm on Twitter :D
ReplyDeleteLaura and Stina - I've only ever actually unfollowed one person, and that was because I jut couldn't take the spammy type tweets anymore. I follow A LOT of people and when my eyes get caught up on things like that, and I get a tummy ache when I see your picture... I've been tempted though, especially with those DMs to self-promote.
ReplyDeleteSarah - As long as you don't unfollow me because I tweet so much. ;P LOL
Linda - if you're like me, you'll get sucked in pretty quickly. ;D But embrace it! It's a great place to connect w/other writers.
ReplyDeleteJulie - Ooh, good one. I even saw a little last night when everything went down. Kind of petty under the circumstances IMHO
I love Twitter, too! I have a hard time explaining it to my non-writer friends, though. Which is just more proof that it is made of magic.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of do's and don'ts!
-Vicki
This is an excellent post that every Twitter user needs to read. Great do's and dont's! And thank you so much for mentioning the #WritersRoad chat!
ReplyDeleteI'd add major overtweeting. I've unfollowed people because, even tho they're funny or interesting, they tweet NON-STOP all day and clog up my feed.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on this!! Tweeting now.
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Hmm, I don't know why, but I keep getting an error when I try to use your share bar to twitter?
ReplyDeleteVicki - I KNOW! One of my NON-writer friends was just giving me a hard time yesterday. I wanted to say "You just don't understand."
ReplyDeleteHeather - YW! I LOVE #writersroad, it's like my favorite chat. :D
Girl Friday - AS LONG AS YOU DON'T UNFOLLOW ME. Mwahahaha!
Angela - Thank you!! :D
Angela - UH OH it's newfangled, and someone else had trouble too... I will look into it. I wish I was more tech savvy and could fix html code. Is there a magic wand for that???
ReplyDeleteI am still geting used to how it works and reading tweets, links etc. I agree with several things...great for us Newbie tweeters : ) I learn a ton about agents and publishing, some of it maybe I didn't want/need to know
ReplyDeleteBekah - I can get overwhelmed with all the blogposts too, I usually scan (unless I know the person) to see if it's something of interest.
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Lisa!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paul!
ReplyDeleteAs if I would ever unfollow you! :) I like people who tweet frequently, just not *constantly*. What's worst is when they occasionally tweet some really interesting stuff that you don't want to miss - then the rest of the time they tweet 'I am walking down the street', 'still in the doctor's waiting room' etc so you can't unfollow them in case you miss something cool -aarg.
ReplyDeleteGirl Friday - LOL It's true! Or if they randomly give away critiques occasionally or something. Then you CAN'T unfollow them. Kidding! I know you wouldn't. I'm just giving you a hard time!! :P
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI'm still a Twitter noob - this is all great information.
I like your inclusive approach to Twitter. I'd just about given up due to the cliquey approach some writers use by seemingly only replying to *published* authors. But it's people who actually reply (like you) who make it worth it! Otherwise, it feels like an intimidating place to be with no one to talk to! You rock.
But more importantly... your blog icon is *awesome*!
Jemma - Well I'm so glad you didn't quit! Cuz tweeting with you has been so much fun! You always make me smile. :D <-- See? I'm glad you like my icon. I'll be sure to tell my friend who drew it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool post Lisa! You, by the way, are one of the funnest Tweets I know :)
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, still learning hashtags but I've really enjoyed being on Twitter so far.
Have a great day and a big cup of coffee on me (_)3
Gene - you're so sweet! Thank you, and I LOVE the coffee. :D I enjoy interacting with you on there too.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! I always forget I have a twitter and update sporadically. I've been better the past few weeks, but I'm still getting the hang of it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by how much I love Twitter. I'm not on there a ton, but I try to check in once or twice a day. I love the links you RT by the way--they're always helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteBethany - I get a little too addicted. Nah. There's no such thing! :D
ReplyDeleteKristi - Thanks! I really LIKE it
You are Mistress Tweet, so I would do anything you say. Fortunately, I'm already following these rules, so I'm in the good. (BTW love @InkElbows! Met her in-the-flesh & she's so fun!) I recently discovered #WritersRoad - nice, but almost as fast as #yalitchat!
ReplyDelete"But if you think you're having a private conversation just because you're @ tweeting someone? Newsflash: Other people can see it. So only say what you would in public. And be prepared for others to jump in the conversation."
ReplyDeleteAbout a year ago, a friend unfriended me--everywhere--for politely weighing in on something she'd said. Specifically, she'd accused one of our friends of gloating about a secret said friend couldn't (yet) share. I said I respectfully disagreed (my exact words!) but I didn't see it as gloating, but rather as releasing a little steam till she could say something. Then came the unfriending, for I'd butted into a private conversation (on Twitter!) and was too rude to engage with further.
I pointed out that any conversation on an unlocked Twitter account is by its nature public. I left it at that, wondering if I'd missed the point. It's good to see I'm not alone in scratching my head at the entire affair. ;)
I've seen the hashtag chats, but they scare the living bejeebus out of me. So many tweets in so little time! How am I supposed to keep up? Based on what you've written here, I should at least try.
Susan - I got to meet her at the last SCBWI LA conference too, she's awesome! And YAY for #writersroad. So fun. But yeah, fast.
ReplyDeleteDeb - I'm sorry to hear that. It's sad when misunderstandings result from that sort of thing. If we all keep in mind what we're saying is public, then we can prevent a lot of these sort of things. If I have something private to say I keep it to DM or Email and make it clear when I'm talking to the person.
ReplyDeleteI know they look intimidating, but if you focus on a few select threads, it's not too bad. Can't hurt to try it right?
Oh I'm forwarding this to a friend who just joined Twitter!!! This was awesome timing! Thanks! :D
ReplyDeleteMonica - So glad I could help!
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post about this the other day http://precociousscribe.blogspot.com/2011/05/zero-tolerance-behaviour-in-online.html
ReplyDeleteto DEB above, we had a similar incident the other day which prompted me to write the above post.
My points in my post were, don't jump into a conversation and yell at the other Twitterer for being racist (or otherwise) when you didn't read the previous messages. Particularly when the Tweet was not rude in the first place. DON"T PICK FIGHTS.
(However i fully support people needing to be careful with their @ replies because they are public. Swearing and blatantly rude comments WILL get you unfollowed a lot.)
Give Twitter people the benefit of the doubt. Don't assume they are being rude, it MIGHT just be because they are short on space in their 140character limit. JUST BE NICE
among other things
anyway thanks for the post
sarah
Sarah - thank you for the comment! I will check out your post. It's always sad to hear stories like that! Especially with other writers because it's overwhelmingly such a supportive community.I agree that it's best to give someone the benefit of the doubt.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I do the same thing when someone follows me: I check their recent tweets. If it's just the same self-promoting tweets over and over, it's a total turnoff.
ReplyDeleteAnna - *snickers* We sound like we're dating. Which is bad because we'd be dating like hundreds of people. :D But it's TRUE!!!! It IS a turnoff.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'm still fairly new to Twitter and love all the information I can get!
ReplyDeleteSonia - So glad I could help!!
ReplyDeleteThis is great advice! I love Twitter. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! I look through to make sure people aren't solely using Twitter for self-promotion as well.
ReplyDeleteGhenet - And I love seeing you there!
ReplyDeleteStephanie - :D
Excellent post!
ReplyDeleteBig sigh of relief. I'm doing the do's and none of the don'ts. Twitter really is fantastic. I haven't done the chats yet, they never seem to be at a good time for me. But I have scrolled through a few saved ones. Heather McCorkle saves her #writersroad on some twitter tool - can't remember the name of it - it helps you find out what all the hashtags are for. Darn. Need to go look up the name for that thingie again.
ReplyDeleteMargo - Yay! Hey - wait - I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO GO DO YOUR WRITING, YOUNG LADY! I love having you stop by though. :D
ReplyDeleteSolid tips from the queen of creative hashtags =)
ReplyDeleteRahma: :D
ReplyDeleteK.C. - Awwww GO ON. #Iloveit
Love it! Retweeted – and following :) Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteJolene - Thank you!! :D
ReplyDeleteSolid Twitt-advice. Thanks for the clarity.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE twitter! I honestly think it is the best tool EVER.
ReplyDeleteLeslie - You betcha!
ReplyDeleteHouse - I agree! I'm sooooo addicted.
I love Twitter because of the people connection. I get to talk to people that I would otherwise never meet.
ReplyDeleteI cannot put a price of the wealth of knowledge that I have received from Tweople with regards to romance books. Thanx guys.
ReplyDeleteI love my Scottish Gaelic friends and I love learning the language. Thanx guys. Naturally music is in there also. Thanx guys. TWITTER...the world with a wealth of knowledge.
ReplyDeleteChandra - So true! I LOVE all the writer Tweeps I've met and connected with. Sometimes "other" people don't get it. But that's even more reason to connect with writers online. :D
ReplyDelete