You have your Twitter account set up, now you’re ready to tweet. Here are ten tips for creating outstanding tweets that will help you gain followers and keep people interested in what you have to say.
Share useful information. People get tired of reading about what you had for breakfast! Think about what is useful to you as a writer and then share that information. This tweet has a link to information on a 30 day writing challenge for non-fiction writers.
- Julie Isaac, Author @WritingSpirit
Any non-fiction writers feeling left out? Join @NinaAmir‘s write a non-fiction book in 30 days writing challenge today! http://ow.ly/eX0rx - Respond to comments. Think about how you feel when you talk to someone and they don’t reply. The conversation dies. If you want to keep conversations alive on Twitter, you need to respond when someone tweets you. Make sure you use the person’s twitter handle (e.g. @InScribeCWF). In this tweet Michelle is responding to a comment by George.
Michele Ford @albertaadvocate
@gcouros Really wanting to get the school councils into it…maybe we (you & me) could work together? I have spoken to a few already. - Ask Questions. Twitter is a great place to ask for help. People are generally very responsive to questions and requests. I’ve found Twitter to be a wonderful resource for learning and doing research. In the example below, Joanne is asking for help in building her “likes” on Facebook. You will note that her tweet was retweeted by Bill, who is passing on Joanne’s request to his followers.
Joanne Wadsworth @JoanneWadsworth
I’d love more “likes” on my FB author pg. If u want 2 help me out, here’s the link> http://www.facebook.com/JoanneWadsworthRomanceAuthor … 8
Retweeted by billwolak - Retweet what you find useful. Twitter is all about building relationships. Just like you appreciate a pat on the back when you do something well, other people like to know that their tweets are useful. On Twitter “RT” means retweet. If you see quotes around a tweet that also means it was retweeted. Lisa Bouchard @Lisa_Bouchard
RT @rchazzchute Inspiration for writers for the month ahead:#NaNoWriMo ahead! http://bit.ly/TYYWMp #WLCAuthor #writers #writing - Post pictures and videos. Twitter is an easy way to share media. You can post your own pictures or videos that your followers may be interested in or you can share those you find helpful or interesting. I shared this picture of northern lights at Thanksgiving.
Ruth L. Snyder@wwjdr
@global_tv A photographer’s delight tonight near #bonnyville with dancing northern lights. pic.twitter.com/ZaEQbFPk - Share exciting news. Although people don’t want to hear about you all the time, if you’ve built a relationship with your followers they will want to know when something exciting happens. Make sure you tweet about your book launch!
New Rivers Press @NewRiversPress
And speaking of, join us for our 2012 book launch on Nov 8! Our Facebook page has the details: http://goo.gl/8vSMI #booklaunch #nrp - Share inspiring quotes. We all need encouragement. If you can’t share something original to you, share a quote.
Web Smith @web
Training philosophy by Hemingway: The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places. #quote - Be Specific. “Reading a good book” doesn’t tell people much. Provide details – title of the book, why you like it, and a link for those who want to purchase it.
Inscribe CWF @InscribeCWF
Love the Wounded, dramatic conclusion to the Wounded Trilogy “A MUST READ!” #book #amazon #bullying #amreading #YAhttp://amzn.to/TK9oHp - Tweet from Events. When you tweet while attending a writing conference or other event, it allows people to learn along with you even if they are not present. This also allows you to make new contacts and gain followers who are interested in the same topics as you. Tweets are also a handy reference to go back to after the event. Here’s a tweet I sent out in October from a Public School Boards of Alberta event.
Ruth L. Snyder @wwjdr
Hulley: If you’re transferring blame, joining others, subverting, bad mouthing, or complaining, you are choosing NOT to lead. #abed#Edchat - Use Hashtags. You will notice that all the examples I’ve used have hash tags (a pound sign followed by a word or description). These tags provide an easy way to follow a topic or do research. In my next blog I will provide a list of helpful hashtags for writers.Random House Canada @RandomHouseCA
For all you @NaNoWriMo brave souls, here are some tips to help with your project http://ow.ly/eVn3N #nanowrimoIf you want more help with this topic, check out: Good Tweet vs. Bad Tweet
Do you have other suggestions for outstanding tweets?
www.trusteesnyder.blogspot.com (Education information)
www.ruthlsnyder.com (Ruth’s writing and family life)
www.earlyyearssuccess.com (Information for caregivers of children ages 0-5)
Follow Ruth on Twitter:www.twitter.com/@wwjdr