Twitter Is More Useful Than You Might Think

with LAUREN DUGANEditor and analyst, AllTwitter.com

Why use Twitter? Some StatsTweets• 3 years, 2 months and 1 day. The

time it took from the first Tweet to the billionth Tweet.

• 1 week. The time it now takes for users to send a billion Tweets

• 6,939. Current TPS record, set 4 seconds after midnight in Japan on New Year’s Day.Accounts

• 460,000. Average number of new accounts per day over the last month.• 182%. Increase in number of mobile users over the past year.

Source: The Twitter Blog (http://blog.twitter.com/2011/03/numbers.html)

Why use Twitter? Business vs. PersonalIt isn’t enough to have one or the other –

Twitter blurs the line Business accounts often features headshots,

personal accounts are tied to a business blog

You must be comfortable sharing some (not all) of who you are as a person on your business Twitter account

But avoid “oversharing” – keep it professionals

Why use Twitter? 7 Ways Business Can Get the Most from 140 Characters

Branding and visibilityCustomer supportCustomer outreach/feedbackNetworkingInternal communicationLead generationTo support other online presences

Twitter Basics: Targeting your ProfileBio pic – logo or headshot?Bio – target the right audience

Include your interests, and why you are on Twitter Prioritize Keywords

Include a link to your company website, blog, LinkedIn etc.

No more than one

Twitter Basics: Finding Accounts to FollowFollow accounts that are in your nicheSearch for keywords related to your niche

http://search.twitter.com/advancedUse tools

Twollo (free complimentary 2 keyword account) Who Follows Whom Just Tweet It Listorious

Use Twitter’s “Who to Follow” http://twitter.com/#!/who_to_follow

Participate in #FollowFriday

Twitter Basics: What to TweetIdeas ValueEngagementInteractionOpinionQuestionsHashtags

Twitter Basics: How Often and When to TweetNo one-size-fits-all solutionMore than once per day, at leastDon’t be afraid of trial and error

Make sure you monitor your efforts Tweet Effect ChirpStats monitor your @mentions

Tweet when your audience is listening Timely TweetStats

Repeating tweets is OK – sort of

Twitter Basics: Common MistakesLeaving your account dormantNot engaging your audienceNo personalityToo much personalityTweeting too close together

Advanced Tweeting: Your Tweet ScheduleWhat is a Tweet Schedule?

Pre-written, staggered, evergreen Offer useful information not restricted by time or

place

Why use a Tweet Schedule? Helps keep your Twitter message targeted Keeps Twitter account active with little maintenance

How to Set up a Tweet Schedule Use a dashboard like HootSuite Write 10-20 tweets at a time, targeted Don’t schedule them too close together Intersperse them with your real-time tweets

Advanced Tweeting: Monitoring the ConversationMonitoring Twitter is just as important as

using it

How to Monitor Twitter:Define your keywords

http://search.twitter.com/advancedMake a scheduleFind the right toolsFollow the re-tweets

Add “+” to the end of any bit.ly link to see its retweet stats

Wash, rinse, repeat!

Advanced Tweeting: Monitoring the CompetitionUse a Twitter dashboard/management toolFollow the competition – shhh!Find out what people are saying about the

competition Search for their @username Search for related keywords

Who is the competition following? Who’s following them?

Advanced Tweeting: Using HashtagsHashtags form the core of conversations on

TwitterGet to know your hashtags

Explore Trending Topics Use WhatTheTrend.com

Hashtags organize your tweetsHashtags target your audienceHashtags get you more retweetsFollowing hashtags

TweetChatHashtag chats – get to know the ones in your

niche

Twitter Tools and Resources

AllTwitter.com Articles7 Ways Businesses Can Use Twitter

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/7-ways-businesses-can-use-twitter_b3994

Setting up a Business Account http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/everything-you-nee

d-to-know-about-setting-up-a-business-twitter-account_b580

3 Tips for Writing a Killer Twitter Bio to get Targeted Followers

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/3-tips-for-writing-a-killer-twitter-bio-to-get-targeted-followers_b133

Advanced HootSuite Techniques http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/advanced-twitter-t

echniques-scheduling-monitoring-and-managing-with-hootsuite_b2694

25 Interesting Things You Can Tweet (Besides Blog Posts and Retweets)

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/25-interesting-things-you-can-tweet-besides-blog-posts-and-retweets_b3459

AllTwitter.com ArticlesWhy You Need to Create a Tweet Schedule

Now http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/why-you-nee

d-to-create-a-tweet-schedule-now_b1514How to Monitor Twitter

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/how-to-monitor-twitter-for-businesses-of-all-sizes_b136

Use Twitter to Spy on the Competition http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/how-to-use-t

witter-to-spy-on-the-competition_b1807Why Use Hashtags

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/twitter-101-why-use-hashtags_b2571

5 Useful Tools to Monitor Hashtags http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/5-useful-

tools-to-monitor-twitter-hashtags_b977

AllTwitter.com ArticlesHow to Join a Hashtag Chat

http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/how-to-join-a-twitter-hashtag-chat_b1650

15 Hashtag Chats http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/15-hashtag-

chats-you-should-be-following_b1646

6 More Hashtag Chats http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/6-more-

hashtag-chats-you-should-be-following_b3633

Questions?

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