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Twitter basicsAndy Bechtel, associate professor (JOMC)editdesk.wordpress.com@andybechtel
What is Twitter?• A free social networking site• Sometimes called a micro-blogging site• One of the 50 most popular websites in the
world
How to get started• Consider how you or your organization will use
Twitter.• Consider your username.• Maximum of 15 characters, but aim for shorter.• Consider something memorable and unique.• Remember that you can change your username
later if you need to.• Create an account.• Use a profile picture.
How Twitter works• People can follow you on Twitter. When you send
a message, they will see that message, known as a tweet.
• You can follow others on Twitter. Follow people and organizations who interest you.
• A Twitter feed is like a personalized list of headlines or a news wire service.
More about how it works• A tweet may be up to
140 characters in length.
• People can forward, or retweet, a tweet that they think is interesting. That can get your message spread in a hurry.
Following on Twitter• Sources of information relevant to you and
your colleagues.• See who is following you. Consider
following them back.• Think of people you follow as your scouts
— and vice versa.• It’s OK to unfollow.
How to get followers• Offer valuable information.• Include links.• Reply to followers when they ask questions.• Publicize your Twitter feed on your website,
blog, business cards, LinkedIn page, etc.
UNC on Twitter https://twitter.com/EmployeeForum https://twitter.com/ChancellorFolt https://twitter.com/TarHeelProvost https://twitter.com/UNCFacGov https://twitter.com/JoMCParkLib
Fun follows https://twitter.com/UNCMemes https://twitter.com/makunc https://twitter.com/NCcollection https://twitter.com/DaggumRoy https://twitter.com/UNCJschoolProbs
What to tweet about• Breaking news, announcements, events• News about your field• Job listings• Scenes from daily life• Personal observations• Important: Keep it professional.
Sample tweets
Effective tweets• Have a personal touch. Be conversational.• Explain how information will affect your followers.• Use a key detail.• Use a number.• Use abbreviations.• Use a photo, map or chart.
On July 1, the sales tax in L.A. County was increasing a half-point, to 9.75 percent.
So the night before, instead of writing just “L.A. County's sales tax to increase to 9.75%,” I tweeted: “Only 3 more shopping hours until L.A. County's sales tax goes up to 9.75%” It had a huge response! It was RT'd like crazy.
— Deirdre Edgar, a copy editor at the Los Angeles Times
Tweet vs. news headline
Effective tweets
Spelling and grammar• They still count, but you
can be more flexible.• Minor errors are more
forgivable.• Big ones will be
noticed.
Maintain good taste (unlike here)
To encourage an RT• Write your tweet a little short to make it easy for
people to retweet with their comment.
Linking• Include a shortened link. Twitter usually does this
automatically, but bit.ly allows tracking of clicks.
#Hashing it out
Twitter abbreviations• RT = retweet• MT = modified tweet• HT = hat tip• OH = overheard• ICYMI = in case you missed it• #FF = Follow Friday
More on Twitter
• Direct Messages• Favorites• Trends• Lists• Muting
Tracking your account
• analytics.twitter.com
Any questions?
