My New Twitter Tips Column
I have writing news! I also need your help, but first things first. I’m excited to tell you that the team at one of my favorite writing blogs, Writer Unboxed, asked me to write a monthly column about Twitter. And you know what? Â Writing a monthly column makes me a columnist! I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Writer Unboxed is a website that authors Therese Walsh and Kathleen Bolton started in 2006. Over the past six years the site has exploded to include columns and guest posts by best-selling authors, agents, and other experts in the business. I will be their Twitter “expert.” How perfect is that? I love Twitter, and I love to call myself an expert. It’s a match!
WHY TWITTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MILESTONE IN MY WRITING CAREER
First, let me reiterate: I DO consider this a major milestone in my writing career. About two years ago, before I started my this blog, before I had any short stories published, and before I published any essays anywhere, I entered a contest at Writer Unboxed with the hopes of winning a spot as their “aspiring writer columnist.” I was a quarter-finalist, which meant they would publish one of the posts I had submitted during the contest.
That piece, about how hard it was to publicly call myself a writer, appeared on Writer Unboxed in October 2010. I discovered that the “blogging voice” suited me well, and I started my blog one month later. (If you want to know why I decided to call this place “Nina Badzin’s Blog” instead of something clever or cute, I discuss those details here.)Â
Back to Writer Unboxed. I knew about their 2010 contest in the first place from Twitter. And through Twitter I’ve continued to learn about other writing opportunities and make connections with writers at all levels in the business. Now, exactly two years later, the founders of Writer Unboxed have invited me to write for them regularly. I consider this a win. Or as Charlie Sheen and his followers might have tweeted earlier this year, #winning.
Twitter is a language, a science, and an art. I think I can help writers or anybody interested in using Twitter put their best face forward there and do it efficiently as well. I can’t wait to get started. The column begins in mid-October.
HERE’S THE PART WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP! I would love if you could answer one or all of the questions below.
- What, if anything, confuses you about Twitter?
- What do you love about it?
- What do you NOT love about it?
- Are there any Twitter etiquette questions you’d like to see me address on Writer Unboxed, either because you want the answer, or because you want OTHER PEOPLE to see the answer? (For example, I wish more people would read my “rules” about getting the thank you tweets on Twitter under control.)
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TWO CENTS.
LISTEN TO MY FRIENDSHIP PODCAST: DEAR NINA
JOIN THE DISCUSSION ANY TIME ON THE NEWÂ DEAR NINA FACEBOOK PAGE. Â
SIGNUP FOR MY NEWSLETTER (COMES 1-2 TIMES/MONTH)
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82 Responses
So many congrats, Nina! I adore twitter too, and this is, indeed, a perfect fit for you!
Galit Breen recently posted..Memories Captured September Linky!
Congratulations Nina!
Nothing confuses me anymore on Twitter 😉
I love the instantaneous connections on Twitter. I love that I can ask a question and get several really good answers. I love that I get breaking news from Twitter.
I don’t love replies to #FFs that include everyone who was @’ed in it. I don’t love people who only tweet links. I don’t love spam and bots. I don’t like whiny people who use the F word just because (I’ve used it before but only because it was necessary).
(PS: I have directed many people in the SITS forums about Twitter to your Twitter etiquette posts here, because they’re so awesome)
Alison recently posted..Unexpected
Alison, I could not agree more with this: “I don’t love replies to #FFs that include everyone who was @’ed in it.”
DRIVES ME CRAZY. Really, it’s probably my biggest pet peeve of all Twitter pet peeves.
Thanks for other ideas here, and for directing people to my posts vis SITS. I appreciate it so much!
We’re thrilled to have you, Nina! (Just put up a quick post at WU, too.) Welcome.
Bravo!!! I’m so thrilled for you and cannot wait to follow your column closely. I agree with your rules for Twitter, fiercely, and have learned so much from reading you. Thank you and congratulations! xox
Mazel Tov Nina – you really deserve this recognition of your fantastic expertise and use of Twitter and your blog.
Here’s question – what’t the point of following hundreds, even thousands of people if there’s no way you can ever read all the tweets and still have a life / make a living?
Meanwhile Shana Tova to you and your family.
Ann Goldberg recently posted..SORTING OUT RECIPES….AND LIFE
Ann, that’s a huge and important question. I will for sure address it more specifically in the column. Really, your question is the underlying issue I will try to solve every month.
I have the exact same question, so I’m glad to hear that it’ll be addressed. The signal-to-noise ratio on Twitter is just so high!
Yes! That’s pretty much my question, too. I find so many great links on twitter, but how could you do that if there is so much there to weed through? On the other hand, I don’t really have the time to spend on all the great links I see, so maybe that would be a good thing.
skippingstones recently posted..Happy Birthday to Me
Congrats! Your Twitter tips are indeed awesome, and I hope that this means even more people will see and follow them.
The one thing that still baffles me about Twitter is autofollow mentality. It feels like some people devote more time to finding people to follow (in the hopes they follow back) than they do on actual interactions and interesting links or ideas. To me Twitter is about content, not numbers of followers.
Lura Slowinski recently posted..I Don’t Need to Know the Color of Your Heroine’s Underwear: A Rant
Lura, you hit the nail on the head. My hope is to get people to understand that sales do not happen on Twitter. Is is NOT about numbers. So what’s the point? Connections. Connections lead to relationships and real word-of-mouth and all around positive things for writers at all levels. Really, you’re better off with 100 followers who actually feel some connection to you than 10,000 followers who never see your tweets. I do not follow everyone back. I have lots to say about numbers and how little they matter. Maybe I’ll dedicate an entire month to just THAT.
Thank you!
Oooh congratulations, Nina! Although they’re the lucky ones to have gotten you and your Twitter expertise! As you might have noticed, I am a big, fat Twitter #failure. I did NOT know (until you kindly enlightened me) that putting someone’s name first makes it a direct message. So I bet that’s a tip others could benefit from.
I keep trying to come around, but Twitter still turns me off, because it makes me feel old and very, very tired. This is going to sound cranky, but:
I think the attention I give to something should be proportional to the amount of effort that went into it. And how much effort goes into most Tweets? I just don’t have the energy (or desire) to keep up with what everyone else is doing/thinking/reading/liking on the a minute-by-minute basis. I get that this is the appropriate medium for information sharing in this ‘what’s-hot-is-constantly-changing’ world, but… excuse me. I’m going to go put my sweater on and get back to my knitting/soaps.
Jules recently posted..No Way I Was Missing My Reservation at Rachel’s Table
Oy, Jules. So starting with a name is not a direct message. When you write a direct message, it’s a private conversation between you and another Twitter user. When you start with someone’s name like this:
@NinaBadzin, congrats on the new column!
it means that all the people who follow you AND me will see it. So it’s more private than saying
Congrats @NinaBadzin on the new column!
but it’s not just between us. The reason it matters to know the difference is that if you’re trying to help someone by tweeting their link, it’s not that helpful to start with @NinaBadzin because only a handful see it.
At the same time, though, writing a tweet like
Thanks for the Twitter tips @NinaBadzin
means that EVERYONE who follows you will see a tweet that really adds nothing whatsoever to the Twitter. That kind of tweet, unless it has a link attached that other people can follow, does not need to go out to all your followers. Better to start that one @NinaBadzin.
ANYHOO- I’m sure I just turned you off of Twitter FOREVER now. 😉
Listen babe, you’re doing great without Twitter. Look at all those blog followers. As they say, if ain’t broke . . . Now go knit a nice pair of mittens. 😉
hahaha As soon as I said “direct message” I was like…wait…that’s not the right term. But look! You could totally use me as a case study on what not to do! I don’t even mind if you make fun of me in your column. I will send you pictures of me in my old lady sweater looking confused.
Let me know.
Jules recently posted..No Way I Was Missing My Reservation at Rachel’s Table
This is wonderful news!! I am so happy for you!
Thanks JK! It’s the only topic you can’t help me with. Boo.
YAY Nina! This sounds PERFECT for you and is so well-deserved. Huzzah!
I saw a great twitter tip at a conference lately, which was: Only promote yourself on twitter in 1 out of 10 tweets. If only more people followed this rule.
I would also say (though people MUST know this is horrible etiquette, mustn’t they? Mustn’t they!?) never send a personal message asking someone to buy your book. So tacky.
My burning twitter question is: What is tweet deck? Why would I or should I use it? I have no idea if it will help me and I’m so weary of signing on to “things” that I find that I don’t really want or need.
katharine Owens recently posted..Whack-a-mole Though Control
The DM thing is a biggie. I sort of feel like people who continue to do that just don’t want to know what a big turn off it is. There’s no convincing them. Although some genuinely read bad advice and stop the practice as soon as they realize it’s a no-no.
Tweetdeck . . . well, I use Hootsuite, which is similar. Both are best for people who use Twitter lists. I HIGHLY recommend making lists (it’s in my Twitter Tips Part 2) but I’ll also write about lists at Writer Unboxed. You can email me about that if you want to start with lists right away. I wouldn’t bother with Tweetdeck or Hootsuite unless you have lists. Those programs allow you see your Twitter lists side by side rather than trying to see all the tweets at once.
I know this isn’t the most helpful answer. It’s a complicated one!
Congrats, Nina! I love your Twitter tips and refer to them often. So excited to read your column.
A few things still baffle me about Twitter:
-When people randomly delete @ replies before I have a chance to respond (and these are personalized, non-controversial @ replies). It makes for awkward conversation.
-Etiquette for acknowledging a favorited tweet. I don’t want to add to the thanking crisis, but at the same time sometimes it feels rude to say nothing in response.
Thank you, Rebecca. By the way, my daughter’s name is Rebecca and I just love, love, love the name. Really feel like I nailed it with that one. Kudos to your parents. 😉
Okay, I’ve never encountered the deleting issue. That’s interesting.
I can answer the second easily right here and right now. When I favorite a tweet, it just means I”m going to read it later. Maybe weeks later. I use the “favorite” function like a book mark. Twitter saves all your favored tweets in a list that you can access through your home/profile page on Twitter. When I’m on the exercise bike or when I have more time, I will read the posts from those links. I don’t like to RT anything I haven’t read myself. I think many other people use the favorite button this way too. Not all, but probably many.
What does this mean? It means there’s NO reason to thank me (or others) for the “favorite.” Again, it just means it’s a link I want to get to later. Doesn’t mean I’ll like the post or RT it, etc. Make sense?
Some people use the “favorite” as a way of saying “hi” or “I AM seeing your Tweets.” There’s really no way to know for sure. There’s certainly no harm in tweeting a thank you (starting with @name!) but I don’t think’s it’s a “must” AT ALL.
Thanks, I like my name, too!
The deleting @ replies has only come up recently, and with a few tweeters in particular. It’s weird.
I appreciate the permission to not thank for favorited tweets. 🙂
BIg ol’ congrats! OK – one thing that I’d love to learn more about is the “chats” that go on — how they work (for instance, I’ve seen #litchat #kidlit, etc.), who organizes them, protocol for them, benefits of them, etc.
I’d also love to hear more about Twitter management tools and how to get them to work in our favor as writers (i.e. I use TweetDeck and still can’t figure out why follower names aren’t alphabetized, why when you unfollow someone, the person STILL shows up in columns).
Interested, too, to see your take on different Twitter styles that writers adopt (i.e. I see some writers who work hard to read articles/share links, while others take ONLY to the “chatting” model — i.e. simply responding to other writers and chit-chatting about everything from pineapples to badgers (ha ha). Which approach is more effective for would-be authors?
Melissa Crytzer Fry recently posted..Take a Rat for a Ride
Melissa,
I know little about chats and I would like to know more as well. For sure that would be helpful for writers. I will investigate!
As for people showing up on the lists after you’ve unfollowed . . . you have to manually take them off the list. Annoying, but it’s a good thing to remember. When you unfollow someone, immediately click the little square with the arrow next to the name and choose “add or remove from list.” Uncheck and you’re good to go.
Your last question would be hard to measure. I think it’s a case of doing what’s most comfortable and fun. Unless what’s most comfortable and fun is really annoying or offensive to everyone following you. 😉
Yaaaay! Go Nina, go! Your Twitter tips kick butt, and I have been a huge fan of WU for years now. (They hosted me once as a guest blogger, and I was stoked about even that!) This column is a great idea for you and for them, and much deserved. I feel like you and I are pretty much on the same page about Twitter etiquette, so I don’t think I have anything to suggest that you haven’t already thought of. Can’t wait to read your first column!
Annie Neugebauer recently posted..Author Image
Thank you! And I agree we are kindred spirits re: Twitter etiquette.
Congrats, Nina! I can’t think of a better person to write about Twitter etiquette.
I have similar reservations as Jules. I feel like Twitter requires so much maintenance in order to make genuine connections. I dip in and out but can’t seem to spend enough time to build a real rapport unless it’s with someone I’m already in contact with (through a blog for example). There must be a smarter way!
I’ve gotten choosier about who I follow back. I check out their recent tweets and if they are all #FF or pushing some products, I don’t follow. There must be a middle ground between that and the random I’m-on-my-way-to-the-grocery-store tweet.
Help!
Jackie Cangro recently posted..Friday Five
I’m choosy too and I think that’s fine. I truly think numbers do not matter and it’s better to cultivate and small, genuine following than add numbers of people who really don’t see your tweets. What you’re talking about sort of hits on the “art” part of Twitter. There isn’t one easy answer, which makes it a great topic to explore. I did try to tackle it somewhat in a guest post I did for Writer Unboxed about Twitter a while back.
That’s here:
http://writerunboxed.com/2011/08/28/the-art-science-of-twitter-part-2-the-art/
Dear Nina,
Congratulations! We are so glad to see that you have a column here.
Our question is this: when you are connected on both Facebook and Twitter, do you make sure that your connections on these sites are different? Or do you find that it does not matter?
Thanks!
Olga & Valerie
Olga recently posted..The Race to Lend a Hand.
Hi Olga and Valerie!
I find that Facebook keeps me more connected to “real life” people though there is definitely some crossover for me now that I’ve been blogging for two years and been on Twitter for closer to three.
One thing I can tell you FOR SURE: I would NOT link your Twitter and Facebook accounts. I know it seems like a time saver, but status updates and tweets do not always translate well on the incorrect site. That’s my opinion at least!
Major congrats, Ms. Columnist! Writer Unboxed is awesome. Older people, especially, don’t get the hang of Twitter. Just the fact it goes backward in time can be confusing. And so many people use it just for saying “buy my product” that newbies may think that’s actually OK. And it would be so wonderful if you could reach the people who think sending a DM “thank you” for a follow that says “NOW: follow me on FB and subscribe to my blog and why the hell haven’t you bought my book yet?” Ditto those automated tweets.
It’s been so exciting to watch you make a career for yourself out here in the Interwebz, Nina. Congratulations!
Anne R. Allen recently posted..How to Write an Author Bio When You Don’t Feel Like an Author…Yet
Thank you, Anne. I know we share all the same pet peeves. I’ll do what I can. Sometimes I feel like I’m preaching to the choir though. I know you do, too.
And thanks for the comment on watching the career grow. It’s certainly moved in a different direction than I expected at first, but I’m having tons of fun versus the tortured “why do I bother” feelings I was having about five years ago. I guess–not to sound cheesy–that I’m trying to just enjoy the ride for now though I have idea what direction I’m heading.
I have to figure out how to delete lists. Ugh! Why can’t I delete them. Uggggh!
Now I see why you started your own place when you did! Clever girl! May you have a happy, healthy new year. I think you are pretty inscribed. I’m so happy you are Unboxed!
Let me help!
1. Sign into Twitter on the real site (not tweetdeck, etc.)
2. Click on your name.
3. Click “Lists” (should be on left side of page)
4. Click on the name of list you want to delete
5. On uppler left side you should see the option to DELETE or EDIT the list. You know what to do from there!
Yay! You know I think you’re a great twitter teacher! Now everyone can reap the benefits of your twitter-knowledge on a monthly basis. Congratulations!
Lara Schiffbauer recently posted..Facebook Inspiration
Oops! There I am!
Wow! How wonderful is this?! It just so happens that 2010 was my big year for upping my social skills across cyber space. Because my 1st novel was releasing at the time I knew the moment had come to wake-up and smell the Internet. And lo and behold, one of the very first writerly voices I tripped over and stayed with was, yep, you, Nina!
Although I’ve read your various Twitter Posts here on your blog, I’m a slow learner and a refresher course is definitely in order. I am not so much a Twitter gourmet as I am a dabbler, so it’s really very exciting that you will be over at WU every month helping to unkink the knots 😀
One of my biggest questions had to do with Twitter etiquette as it relates to the care and feeding of Thank Yous, but clicking through the link in your post settled that most effectively. (One down, a dozen to go …)
Congratulations, Nina. That Columnist hat you’re wearing looks pretty cool.
Barbara Forte Abate recently posted..Nobody Cares
I remember how we “met” early in my blogging “career.” You always provide great links on Twitter. I think you’re doing great there.
Thank your very kind comment here!
I had a crazy idea, so for what it’s worth…
What about doing an occasional “What Not to Tweet” post in the vein of Stacy and Clinton’s What Not to Wear? You can find a worthy candidate struggling to acclimate to Twitter, then rehabilitate them over a week, showing the progression online (via our fabulous new WordPress update that lets you show Twitter posts easily).
Anyway, from my brain to yours.
Genius. Will toy around with that idea and think about how I can make it work.
Congrats on this milestone, Nina! So deserved! Like Melissa, I too want to know what is more effective on Twitter: chatting or links.
So far I’ve reserved chatting for Facebook, but Twitter is quickly becoming boring to me because I’m overwhelmed by numbers so I barely reply to anyone.
I think both chatting and links are good–a mix! As for numbers two things to consider:
#1. Lists are essential to organize the madness
#2. You don’t need to follow everyone
Hi Nina,
I love Writer Unboxed and I’m glad they brought me to your blog. I’m new to Twitter and the other day I saw someone who posted a plethera of thank yous, #WW #FF, and RT tweets. I was so confused! I just read your Twitter rules and it made me laugh. I’m excited to keep reading here and in your new column, congrats.
PS I feel like you’re a real human being with a life outside the literary scene…and I like that about you. It gives me hope that I can succeed without morphing into a cookie cutter literary buff–although that could be fun too.
Brooke– thank you so much for visiting here and for that comment re: being human. I try to just be myself no matter where I am, online or otherwise. I know that some of my random shopping tweets, Jewish ones, and TV ones are not that interesting to the hard-core writing people, but I agree it makes me human. I personally don’t exist in a writing bubble, and I’m sure that’s true for most people. Just like doctors don’t want to only discuss medical issues, etc. I think people are afraid to be themselves (again, online and elsewhere). It’s a good topic, actually, so thank you for addressing it!
And glad you liked the thank you post. It is my favorite topic!
Brava! Love that you are part of the team there. I can’t think of anyone better suited for the job. My Twitter pet peeves are the RT’ing of #FF’s and #WW thanking everyone, authors tweeting only about their book, and as of lately, all of the political ranting and bashing of each candidate, IT GETS SO OLD. I completely support freedom of speech but bashing every single thing about the other party gets so very annoying. And the DEBATES! Gah! My eyes bleed from all the ranting in my Twitter feed.
Have fun with the column and you can bet I will be reading it.
Hallie Sawyer recently posted..I Was Published in a National Magazine! Okay, It Was Just a Quote…
Perfectly said re: the political atmosphere on Twitter. That’s a tough one. Because I will DO believe people should be themselves, I suppose it’s important to not over do it, right? I personally stay away from writing about politics on Twitter, but I know it’s a big part of what people like on Twitter too (the discussion and debate.) I think it sort of turns into a preaching to the choir. Nobody is going to change their mind about a politician or a party based on tweets.
Congrats! You are PERFECT for this!
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..My Whole30
Congratulations! I’ll definitely be following your articles because I’m a dunce at Twitter. I can’t really tell you what I love or don’t love about it because I’m so clueless. I’m particularly confused by the hashtag system. Can’t wait to learn from you!
Shary recently posted..How I Spent My Summer Vacation
I am a complete Twitter idiot. I just don’t “get” it. And I know you totally do. I am going to email you separately with all of my questions — it will provide you with column topics for at least a year. You’re welcome.
Loved your note on FB! Thank you! I will answer some of that for you privately (because I adore you) but I will use some of those topics too. SO thank you! I probably won’t be able to answer you well until after Rosh Hashanah though. I’m sure you’re not sitting around holding your breath. 😉 Shana Tova!
First of all: Congrats!!!
To answer your questions 1-4:
1) not much these days but that’s because I read every part of your twitter tips here on your blog:-)
2) I love to connect with people who do the same thing I do (write) and with the whole industry that has to do with writing, as well as people who have the same interests or hobbies. I also love that you meet new people and pick up new stuff along the way. I am about to start reading your blog tips and hope to learn something new for my blog.
3) I do not love about it that I constantly get followed by people who turn out to be advertising some sort of sexual content. I block them as soon I see them but still, it’s annoying. Also, the promoted tweets by companies such as Walmart or Samsung I find annoying too. I would follow them, if I was interested.
4) What I would like ti have answered is this: if someone follows you, do you have to follow them back? Especially if their content does not seem a good fit for yourself?
Hope this was not too detailed:-) Moving over to your blogging tips now!
Susan recently posted..Wednesday Letters
Great comments!
1. Thank you!
2. Yes, me too. It’s the closest thing we lonely writers have to colleagues, right?
3. Agree, very annoying. I don’t get the spamming thing. As for the promoted tweets, it’s a bummer but I feel about those the same way I do about ads on Facebook. Twitter and Facebook are companies that provide a service. We are lucky to use the service for free. I guess I just feel we have to allow them to make some money. That’s the capitalist in me!
4. No, I do not follow everyone, nor do I think anyone has to or should. I will get into that in depth for sure.
A bonus tip specifically for you: before you start following more people make lists ASAP. It’s SO much easier to start with lists while the numbers are small. Then, as you follow people, you add them to one of your lists. Never put someone on more than one list or you will end up seeing their tweets twice. All my lists tips are in part 2 of my Twitter tips tab on top, but I will write more about them too at some point for Writer Unboxed.
Congratulations, Nina!
I can honestly say that I have already learned a number of things about Twitter from you such as who sees what posts when you address them directly to another Twitterer. (Is “Twitterer” correct terminology?)
I’ll have questions later I’m sure, including why I can’t get the really cool people to follow me, but for now:
Have a Great New Year, and Nail that Book!
Thank you Perry! Seriously–I’m not sure on the correct terminology, capitalization or not, etc. I”ll have to look into that before I start writing about Twitter in the big leagues. I mean is it a tweet or a Tweet???
Congratulations! What a wonderful opportunity (for you and for us)! Let’s see, do I have any questions I’d like to have answered…. one thing I’ve grappled with is the RT. Maybe this is already covered somewhere, but when is it best to just hit the RT button and when is it best to copy the message and add your own comment before the RT? Closely aligned is the MT. So — when should each be used (and are there other ways to do RTs, like quotations? I’ve seen that a lot lately)…how to attribute, what’s best for “getting recognition” as a tweeter but also to be seen by the original tweeter, blogger, etc.? And also, when RTing from a blog, often the person’s @ name doesn’t show up when you click their tweet button on their post — how do I make sure they know I RT’d them… often I search through Twitter for their @ name but that takes time… Thoughts?
Julia Munroe Martin recently posted..Understanding the Unethical?
Oh, forgot to mention…. I’m off to RT this now, let me know how I do!
Julia Munroe Martin recently posted..Understanding the Unethical?
Thanks, Julia! You are a great model for RTing quality links. Anyway, as for how to RT there’s of course no “rule.” When you’re seeing the quotes that is coming from people (like me) who are RTing from the iphone. It gives you the option to RT with quotes (which allows you to add a comment before) or to just RT the whole thing as is. Whether I add a comment or not depends on how much time I have. I DO prefer to add a comment. When I RT without quotes, but with a comment before, I’m probably using Hootsuite on my computer. I never RT from the actual Twitter site on my computer because you can’t comment before. It’s really annoying actually. I have no idea why that’s possible on the iphone app but not the computer. I can’t speak for the ipad because I don’t have one! Probably similar to iphone though.
The second part of your question hits at the etiquette piece of it all that I love to explore. I need to think about it, which means it’s a great topic for Writer Unboxed. Thank you!
What a fantastic idea for a column! One of the biggest things I find frustrating about Twitter is the issue of juggling multiple audiences. Fellow writers are going to be interested in very different content and interactions than your potential readers, so how do you balance it all?
Hi Jenn! Thanks for visiting. I get the feeling that writers on Twitter are mostly speaking to other writers and less so to readers. My friends who are avid readers, but not writers, do not hang out on Twitter. They read a book then move on to the next one with little interest in what a writer is doing the rest of the time.
So . . . you might ask, why be on Twitter then? It’s really not to directly sell books to readers. You’re building community with other writers (who are also big readers and book buyers, of course), building good karma, and word of mouth. Learning more and more about the business and what’s happening in your industry.
Also, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. No need to write ONLY about writing links.
That’s a short answer, but it’s for sure a big piece of what I’ll be discussing at Writer Unboxed.
Are you going to let us know each time a column appears over there? Cause I need to read that.
skippingstones recently posted..Happy Birthday to Me
Of course! 🙂 And thanks so much for your interest. Really!
I’m so glad to hear this news and I can’t wait for your first post. I love your twitter insights.
I could use some more help on making and organizing lists. I’ve had them before, then deleted them, and now I basically just have a long list of people I follow. I find lately, that I’m on twitter less and not making connections as much. Help! 🙂
Lisa Ahn recently posted..Be Inspired through Creative Roadblocks
Okay, I just shamelessly copied the names of your lists on twitter, made my own, sorted all the people I’m following, and now I feel organized. Thanks for the inspiration — and the great example.
Lisa Ahn recently posted..Be Inspired through Creative Roadblocks
I love it! I’m glad my titles could help. They’re certainly not specific to just me. I use the “new to me” list as sort of catch all for people I start following. The biggest key is you can’t add someone to more than one list. It doesn’t matter if they are local and also one of your favorite bloggers. One list! Otherwise your going to see the same tweets twice. NOBODY has time for that.
What I most like about Twitter is that it is, at its core, a micro-blogging site. Though you can use it to carry on conversations, the design is much more suited to following interesting people and following news, not about boring each other to keep up a “relationship.” In some ways, silence is golden on Twitter — you can lurk and absorb.
What I like least about Twitter? Not much. Sometimes the pushy social aspect of parts of the culture bother me. An awful lot of people seem to be there to rack up follower and retweet counts. When I hear “I unfollow people who don’t follow me,” I just shake my head. You should follow people who interest you.
What questions I’d have? None that are easy to answer. Still working on finding people who share my interests, especially my reading interests (it’s easy to find people who share my political interest). I suspect that a lot of the people who I share the most with are the least savvy about hashtags and all that. Maybe they don’t even tweet much. Or maybe even aren’t on Twitter.
Camille LaGuire recently posted..Sunday Update – and Coming Attractions
Hi Camille,
Thanks for chiming in here. It’s funny- I consider myself very Twitter savvy, and I rarely use hashtags. I don’t search via hashtags and I rarely add them to my tweets. I don’t know why. Time, maybe? I just don’t think about it.
Could not agree more that silence is golden on Twitter. I may use that. And I will quote you as my source!
What an absolutely exciting time for you. I recently was asked to guest blog an article for Joanna Penn’s Creative Penn site. I was doing the Snoopy dance, let me tell you. It is definitely a great feel to have one’s writing acknowledged like that. As for your blog series, I can’t wait. I have never Tweeted/Twittered in my life. In fact, up until three weeks ago, I never Facebooked! I am so in need of education from the ground up, so maybe you can start there? I think there are still people in the world like myself who are finally dipping their toes into the social media space.
I like and respect Joanna’s blog a ton. I’d be doing the Snoopy dance too.
As for the ground up, I’m probably not going to do the basics because I did two posts for them like that already (long before the gig was official and regular). I also have a great series (if I may say so myself) here! Links below!
TIPS ON MY BLOG: http://www.ninabadzin.com/twitter-tips/
MY “basics” POSTS FOR WRITER UNBOXED: http://writerunboxed.com/2011/08/27/the-art-science-of-twitter-part-1-the-science/
Hope that helps! And thanks for commenting here, Penna.
Hey Nina, big congrats no the column! That’s awesome news, and I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more than you. As you know, I find you’re Twitter tips hugely helpful 🙂
Having said that, I have to admit, I’ve become a bit unstuck lately. The personal connections are enjoyable, but keeping up is my biggest roadblock. That and I guess I never was much of a conversationalist, so maybe it isn’t an easy fit for some people.
What confuses me most at the moment is the enormous amount of links and RT’s of links that I see. I like to RT when I am genuinely moved, but it does start to feel redundant if that’s all anyone is ever tweeting. I can’t possibly click on all those links – even if I want to. So I try to limit how many links I personally RT…but then sometimes it feels mean not to share the love. When to RT and when not to RT, and how much is too much? I guess that’s today’s question 🙂
Alarna Rose Gray recently posted..The Goose that Got Away
My answer may surprise you: You don’t have to keep up.
Okay, backing up . . . First, I use the “favorite” function to star links I want to read later. But you know what? Sometimes that list of links I want to read just gets too dang long so I give my permission to unstar if by the time I get to the list the post feels either not-as-pertinent to me as it did before, or it feels out of date. Also, there is ALWAYS stuff to see and do on Twitter. Allow yourself to dip in and out whenever the mood strikes. I know some people believe you have to be on all the time. I really don’t think so. I generally stay off on weekends and other times I just take a break for days at a time. Everyone does it (or should). Twitter is fun, but real life is more important!
I think your instinct to be choosy in what and how often you RT is spot on. Not everything can be a “best ever” post or a “must read.” As for how much is too much . . . not sure!
Just wanted to say (though I didn’t receive the reply to this comment via email – should I have?), that this is exactly what I needed to hear. And thank you.
That’s weird . . . are you getting this note?
I did get this comment! How strange…
Congratulations! I am new to your blog. I need to check out the Twitter Tips – I am helpless and sometimes hopeless on Twitter:). I use it to follow writers and a couple of celebrities. I retweet book blogs, too. I don’t even know what a hashtag is!!!! So I look forward to reading your column.
So glad to meet you and thanks for visiting here. I think you’ll find my posts on Twitter here (look at menu bar under header on main page) helpful and hopefully the series I’m starting there will help too. It takes time to get used to Twitter. It’s sort of like moving to a foreign country actually!
Mazal Tov on the new gig and Shana Tova.
Jack recently posted..Why I Dumped FeedBurner for FeedBlitz
Thanks, Jack! Now I’m off to check out your post in the “comment luv” up there. Though I’m nervous about what it will say!
Congrats, Nina! I can’t think of anyone better suited to write a Twitter column. I’ve often referred people to your blog to figure the stuff out. I’ve complained about Twitter in a couple of different ways: one thing they’ve fixed (which is great) is that on the computer you can now view the conversations to understand what people are replying to. But the one thing available on applications and not online is “retweeting with comment.” It’s really annoying not to be able to do that without copying and pasting.
Hi Nina-
You are my Twitter Guru. My Budha. My Rock.
so- The thing that I find epicly frustrating about twitter is that if you have a huge announcement, or an awesome tweet you want the world to see…it is entirely possible it will be missed because if the audience isn’t online, they’ll miss it. I see Twitter as efficient as blinking an eye. You blink once and it gets the job done but then you blink one second later and the first blink was forgotten! thoughts?
Alexis, also mix up the times of day. You’ll reach different people at night, day, etc.
So glad to be someone’s rock. 😉
Okay, you are right re: the blink of an eye. The “trick” to Twitter is developing an authentic following, which means that people really read, RT, and care about your tweets. An authentic following has nothing to do with numbers. Really it’s better to have 300 “real” followers than 1000 followers who never see your tweets. The question, of course, is how to develop such a following. Well, it takes time. It means RTing other people’s stuff, visiting their blogs, etc. I think you do a great job of that already. One challenge you will have is that you are a company, and people are sensitive about being “sold to.” But plenty of brands do well on Twitter. I really think time is the main thing.
As for getting a certain message out, it’s okay to repeat things on Twitter, but just don’t do it all day long. And mix it among tweeting other links and talking to people on Twitter.