Of course you do, don’t you?
Of course you know what Twitter is, right? Simply put, it’s a social networking thingy that lets people join in an omnipresent conversation about whatever is happening at any given moment. A bit like, Instant Messenger, kind of like a Blog and something like Facebook. However it’s all conducted within 140 characters or less, from just about any device these days, be that the latest iphone or a crappy desktop computer, Twitter has become the cool “must do” trend in mircrocontent.
Here at Brightenup we really love Twitter, we’re Tweeple (People that Twitter are Tweeple not twits) and have been Twittering our daily goings on for well over a year. And whilst we’re not the earliest of adopters, we’ve seen Twitter evolve from simply a ‘back channel’ between us media types into something approaching a main stream communication channel. Recently we’ve been reading with interesting how people are trying to jump on the run away Twitter bandwagon, however how many of them actually do ‘get it’? There are some terrible articles out there on the interweb about how Twitter could be the answer to all problems and might even reduce global warming. Trust us that is all a load of crap.
It’s really simple. You see Twitter cultivates transparency. We all Tweet about all sorts of stuff, normal stuff, stuff like taking the nippers to school or the fact we have a bit of a hangover. More and more Tweeps are Tweeting their locations as they take holidays with special commands to plot their location on maps. However, and this is the important bit, these same people are then recommending brands or discussing them in their next Tweet. Twitter is a noisy channel filled with every type of discussion, business and personal and that’s the joy of Twitter, its authentic.
So how does Twitter work for marketers? Well, we often say to our clients that their brand does not actually belong to them any longer, your customer adopted your brand a while ago, they’re recommending you or perhaps damning your brand as we speak. Perhaps you should have a chat with them? Of course, this does grab attention, we all want to chat to customers after all, but like all conversations there is an etiquette, there is of course a language to speak and no one wants to look like a twat on Twitter.
Tweeple fall into two camps. There are responders, who use Twitter to interact with other users, and broadcasters, who use it primarily as a microblogging platform. Now these groups don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye. Responders will tell you that broadcasters are self-important and egotistical who believe that they are too good for the community. Broadcasters want responders would take their crap chitchat to a chat room and leave them in peace. Everyone agrees that the other doesn’t understand Twitter. So if you’re a broadcaster, responder, or new to it all, if you’d simply like to be a better Twitter citizen, here’s out Twiptop Guide to successful Twittering:
1. Remember everyone can hear you
Rule one is rudimentary, but Twitter is a public medium. At some point even your Mum might read it, to say nothing of your customers or your spouse.
2. Create a user-friendly Twitter ID
Your Twitter ID is your online branding. Your first choice for a Twitter ID should be your name if it’s personal, if it’s business… you guess it make it the company name.
3. I’m not stalking you - honest
It’s very normal in Twitter culture to “follow” people you’ve never met. In fact, it’s encouraged. Think of it as a blind date, who knows where it will end up!
4. Learn the lingo
As with all good stuff there’s a learning curve. Twitter has a quirky lingo all its own. If you don’t understand then ask, Tweeple are really nice.
5. Add your Twitter ID to your signatures
Pimp your Twitter name (and not just on Twitter). As social networks go main stream, you’ll be connected effortlessly to new users.
6. 140 characters or less
Twitter is used for messages that stay within its 140-character limit. Don’t just continue your spiel into another Tweet. Stop, users will have to scroll back and track your name through other posts and it’s really annoying.
7. Do… Reach out and say something
No one likes what I call a ‘virtual voyeur’. We’re all in this together and something as simple as a ‘good morning’ often leads to a response.
8. Plug lightly and carefully
Lots of people ignore this guideline. Hopefully you won’t be that stupid. Twitter is not for shouting about your brand, service or product. Twitter is for an conversation about all sorts of things and sometimes your brand, service or product.
9. Breath between Tweets
Twieeting 45+ times an hour will force other people’s messages off followers’ homepages, and sends mobile devises into twit-fits.
10. Rude in life is rude on Twitter
When you’re being mean, rude or nasty, eventually people work out you’re a chump. Expect some crap to come back your way.
11. Watch your ratio
If only a three people follow you, but you follow a few thousand people will think you are a filthy spammer. That’s because you probably are, go away
12. Think twice before twittering
One drunk tweet can be amusing. Be we all know that one leads to another, and another and pretty soon the whole world knows your plastered.
13. Its good to share
Twitter is like karma. The more good stuff you put out there the more you receive. When you find others with great information, don’t be shy in sharing with your community.
14. Go and find out who some of the big Tweeple are
Its not a popularity contest and it’s your choice on whether or not to follow these ‘top tweeple,’ but they do tend to share a lot of great information.
15 . Search and be found
Here are a few of our favourite tools:
• Twitter search - This is the only search function actually hosted by Twitter. It’s extremely easy to use and offers comprehensive results.
• Twellow - An application similar to Twitter search except that you can search by categories which makes results more relevant.
• TwitDir - Offers a search function and breaks Twitter users into categories like the top 100 people followed and top 100 updaters.
• Twitpic - Lets you share your pictures via Twitter with all your Tweeps.
• Tweetdeck - When you become a power twitter this is the best tool out there.
Tags: Kirsty, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter