12 tips to get you started on Twitter

Sue Beckingham

@suebecks

Sue Beckingham | @suebecks

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@suebecks

Your Username

Choose a name that is easy for others to remember and use

Don't make it too long as this will eat into the 140 characters if others retweet your posts

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No. 1

@suebecks

Your Avatar

Tip

No. 2

Don’t be an egghead…add a photo

(default avatar)

@suebecks

Your Bio

This your opportunity to create a first impression, make it a good one.

Include a link to your blog or website within your bio

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No. 3

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Tweet regularly

By all means listen and learn, but then join in and contribute:

Post useful linksAdd comments to other

people's postsAsk questions

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No. 4

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Respond

Don't just focus on your own tweets, read and respond to others questions and comments

Twitter is social so check and reply to your direct messages (DMs) and mentions from others

Thank others for retweeting your own posts

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No. 5

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Retweet

Retweet useful posts to share with your followers

Show your appreciation to the people you follow and acknowledge you have found it useful – they will reciprocate

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No. 6

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Consider the length

Don't always use all of the 140 characters – allow space so that others can retweet your full post (which will include your username) and add a comment

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No. 7

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Consider the content

Share tweets and information that show your expertise in your chosen field and of value to your followers

Engage in a dialogue: ask questions, share associated resources

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No. 8

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Consider the tone

Be professionalDon't use Twitter as a

forum to vent and resist negative or sarcastic remarks

Have empathy and sensitivity

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No. 9

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Keep personal, personal

Use a DM (direct message) for personal messages meant for just one person or a selected group

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No. 10

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Getting organised

Utilise the favourites feature

Download a Twitter app to your smart phone

Create lists View your Twitter lists

using a dashboard e.g. Hootsuite or Tweetdeck

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No. 11

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Analyse link click-throughs

Maximise free analytics using URL shorteners

e.g. bit.ly, goo.gl, and ow.lyTip

No. 12

@suebecks

Sue BeckinghamSheffield Hallam University

@suebecks

http://socialmediaforlearning.com/