I'm getting a huge kick out of Twitter, but I'm also noticing that many users are unsure what to Tweet about, especially when they first join. They'll take the "what you are doing?" concept literally and write things like "figuring out this Twitter thing" or "eating sushi."Fascinating stuff, isn't it?
Not so much. I prefer not to read Tweets about what you had for lunch (unless you have something witty to say about it), your bodily functions (just plain gross), or what the weather is like on a beach in Maui (first of all, it makes me jealous and second of all, why are you Tweeting on vacation?). Instead, here are ten things to tweet about.
- Goals. Twitter is the perfect place to post your goals, because you'll have people cheering you on and keeping you accountable in real time. Try it.
- Accomplishments. Say you just landed a new client or finished a big project. That's a good reason to Tweet your own horn and share the elation or relief with your followers. If you're working under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), then be sensitive to that and don't reveal the details.
- Questions/polls. Chances are, if you have a question, someone on Twitter has the answer, so don't be shy about asking for advice or opinions. These Tweeple love to share!
- Responses to others' Tweets. Just as you might ask for recommendations on web hosts or hints on handling a difficult client, you should be willing to @ and chime in with your own suggestions or words of encouragement.
- Quotes. Quotes are very retweetable without being blatantly self-promotional. Look for ones that are short and funny or thought-provoking.
- Retweets. This is ultimate to complement to your fellow Tweeple and a great way to share interesting links/resources, but it's best to balance Retweeting with your own Tweets. Too many RTs and it looks like you have nothing original to say. Too few and you might appear self-serving.
- Link love. Like Retweeting, linking to interesting news articles or blog posts boosts goodwill and spreads useful information. Funny links are good, because they show your humorous side, but don't post too many of those if you're trying to create a professional persona on Twitter.
- Blog posts. I don't Tweet every single blog post, but if it's one I'm especially proud of or think my followers might find interesting, I'll include a link. I usually get a little spike in traffic, but I try to balance my own links with other resources.
- Tweetups. Admittedly, not everyone feels comfortable Tweeting about a physical location or event. But if you're going to a public event like a book reading or a blogging seminar, you might post a Tweet asking if your followers are going so you'll have a few familiar faces and let others know about events in your area.
- Leads to jobs or freelance gigs. In this economy, most people appreciate any leads they can get. If you see an interesting job or project that isn't right for you, why not spread the via Twitter? And if you happen to be job hunting, then there are tons of users who focus on job leads, including @JobAngels and @freelance_jobs.
What do you Tweet about? Anything I've missed?
Flickr photo courtesy of williamedia
16 comments:
Thank you for the last point. I've browse twitter search for job leads every now and then and was looking for ppl who concentrated on tweeting about freelance job tweets.
As for tweet-ups, we recently had one in Dubai. It was for a charity event organized solely through twitter. Everyone hit it off and made a lot of contacts. Now there are lunches and dinner whenever two tweeple are in the same area. Since Dubai is a relatively small city, it happens quite often :)
Twitter is also great for promoting social causes and breaking news if you're a news junkie.
This is a great list. I don't think you missed anything. Of course I tweeted it!
Susan, thanks for the post.
This is so true. Tweet with value. I do think, once in a while, tweets outside of the business realm are important. This shows you have interests and a life outside of business/social media.
Susan,
I'm not even on twitter and I think this is well thought out advice -- and presented with your good sense of humor too. thanks.
Great list. I'm a big fan of twitter, of only people would use it correctly and provide useful info. And not things such as: "going back to the hotel," or "dentist appointment." This should really help.
thanks,
jeanine
www.jthetravelauthority.com
twitter: @jcreaturetravel
Thanks everyone for the comments! I agree that it's key to balance professional Tweets with a few personal ones to show your human side.
Thank you for sharing this awesome list, which is very useful. Thank God, I don't have to think much about any professional and personal persona and am able to tweet about whatever I feel like. But am glad to know that I follow the above norms normally still!
People keep saying that.
I disagree. If these people are my friends, I do care what they had for lunch and I may have an inside joke to reply with. If it's someone new that I want to get to know, I like learning what they're into so if we get to meet up for lunch, I can recommend a place or cook something they'll enjoy. And so on.
It can get tedious, yes -- when you don't care about the people tweeting except to network with for business purposes. "I want job leads, I don't care how many sit-ups you did today!" is an awful thing to think about a tweet in my mind.
And this has kind of ruined Twitter for me. I'm supposed to be "interesting"--suddenly I'm Tweeting for others and not myself. When I made myself a Twitter account, I did it for fun.
Sure, I could set up another account, but probably not--it's not like I have that much spare time, and I certainly don't want to spend it tweeting!
Lately, I've been tweeting pretty much whatever I feel like and I haven't lost any followers. When I do, though, it won't bother me, because I'll know what kind of tweeters they are, and I'll know it's not "personal." I'd rather kick it with someone who can tell me how to make a tastier, superfood-y breakfast smoothie.
There, I said it.
@Natalia: Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective. Now that I think more about it, I see what you mean. I tend to focus more on writing topics than topics from my own life, but I can see how others might want to read more personal Tweets.
Is it really, really worth doing? i already have a Blogspot, Facebook, MSN Myspace, Flickr, Uncle tom Cobbly and all. Is Twitter very different to Facebook? This is not a rhetorical question, by the way. I really haven't even dared look at Twitter yet. Should I?
@Ian: Yes, Twitter is different from Facebook. It's simpler and more immediate. In my opinion, Facebook has really crowded and distracting with too many bells and whistles and snakebites and pokes. Twitter is must more focused on conversation. I wouldn't go so far as to say "you MUST join Twitter," but it's certainly an interesting social network to explore.
Thank you for that, Susan. Now, you have caused me an 'ummm' moment.
Susan, I love particularly the first three 'cause I'm always wondering what to post... truly helpful post, thanks
Anne Wayman
These are all great ideas - but I like to hear what people are having for lunch, too :o)
Good suggestions. I've stopped following some folks who feel compelled to Tweet their day to day or Too Much Info. But knowing what to tweet isn't always easy!
Susan,
as you'll see from my comment above, I was not on twitter when you first posted this. I joined several months later, and have found, as you point out in your response to Ian, that it is a helpful place to be when used thoughtfully.
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