Twitter is the most misunderstood social media application. At first glance most people think it is really dumb. I know I did!
Just the same I joined it anyway. I followed a few friends made a few Tweets, then promptly forgot about it for 6 months or so. Then when it came time to gather at the NAR Convention in Las Vegas, Twitter was resurrected.
It was in Las Vegas that I discovered a new found appreciation for this very powerful tool.
In that far away place I was able to connect with my online friends, many of whom I’d yet to have the pleasure of meeting (in real life). With Twitter’s help, I was also able to broadcast crucial and interesting concepts to my online friends who were not at the convention. They appreciated my efforts and I appreciated having value.
Two plus years later, Twitter is one of my favorite places to hang out. I’m not there all day, but typically you will find me there at night.
Twitter has expanded my reach into the world. I’ve made friends and learned things I never would have discovered. I’ve both helped and been assisted with tech support issues on the network. Posting there also increases traffic to my blogs. My lists of praises goes on and on. Guess you can say I’m an advocate for Twitter.
Getting Started on Twitter
Much has been written about the topic. The best way to begin in any social network to to sign up and add a good profile, including a real photo of yourself.
Most agree having a photo is the first step to establishing your credibility on Twitter. Without a photo you get a stock avatar. They all look alike, so it’s hard to tell the wackos from the real people. If you want credible you need a photo.
The next step is a tad difficult. IN 160 characters you need to say something about yourself. It should be pithy, and at the same time let people know what you do, who your are and where you do it (assuming you are a geographically positioned business). Of course being a REALTOR, I like to let people know I sell houses. I only sell in Metro Denver, so that’s what I tell them.
My Twitter bio reads like this:
“I’m either Selling real estate in Denver or Shooting Colorado, it’s a big job but someone has to do it! “
Next step is to link your bio to your outside website. I’ve chosen to link to my business card site that lists all my websites and blogs. That way when someone wants to know more about me they can visit this site and get the entire story. It is intended to present a more rounded personality, rather than just the one-sided business approach. See if you agree, visit Kristal Kraft
Protecting Your Updates
At the bottom of the profile page you have the option to tick a box to protect your updates. I’ve seen people do this and just don’t understand why they would.
When you check this box, no one can follow you. Or at least they cannot follow you until you give them permission.
Hummmm. What’s the point of being on a social network if it’s not to be social? Of course it’s up to you to allow others to see your tweets or not, but checking this box will not expand your horizons. You might as well continue to DM your friends on a private network.
Understanding the System
Tweeting to the World
Once your profile is set up you can Tweet. Actually you can Tweet without fully setting up the profile, but it’s not a good idea. If you are going to say something, give people an idea of who you are first! Let them see your photo instead of that generic avatar!
What’s up with Followers?
Twitter has it’s own language. Friends are “followers.” Yes, I agree having people FOLLOW you is rather spooky, but you will get used to it.
When you respond or reply to someone you put the @ sign in front of their name. i.e. @KrisTalk by doing this, the @KrisTalk message will end up in my “@ box” allowing me to read it next time I check out my @ box!
There is another benefit from using the @ sign. Since these replies are public, many others will see the response and if they are enjoying the conversation, they will follow you.
To follow you all they need to do is click on the @KrisTalk and it will bring up that person’s profile, click “follow” button and you can increase your Followers too!
On Fridays many Twitter people broadcast the names of people they follow (see graphic above). The reasoning is twofold, they introduce others increasing their exposure while doing what is considered a good thing.
So What is a RT?
More Twitter Talk to understand is the RT concept. RT stands for ReTweet, it is simply someone repeating what someone else said. When you see a RT it will also give credit to the original Tweeter.
In this example tcar made the original comment and it was picked up by smmi who basically cut and pasted what @tcar said and published it.
The beauty of this habit is how the Tweet will travel outside of your circle and continue flowing to other circles.
ReTweets are a good thing. Of course if you plan on RT’ing, please do so in moderation.
Twitter has a Private Back Channel
Not all communication on Twitter is public. On occasion it is necessary and very simple to send a DIRECT message to a Follower in your group by putting a D (space)KrisTalk. It looks like this D KrisTalk
Adding the space is critically important if you want the message to get to the other person. If you forget the space the message will go public and most likely the person it was meant for will not see it.
Summing Up Day One of Twitter Week
- Join Twitter
- Create your profile
- Add a photo
- Write an interesting yet informative 160 bio
- Go Follow folks (more on how to do this later) for now follow me. @KrisTalk
- Watch on Friday for people you might like to Follow
- Send someone a direct message (be sure you are following each other, otherwise it won’t work.
Next time I will talk about finding the right people to Follow to increase your sphere. It’s not about numbers, it is truly about relationships.
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