The problem with the microblogging platform Twitter is that it is deceptively simple, and this is partly true because each tweet is only 140 characters or less. So while it seems like very little attention is needed to tweet, it actually takes a planned strategy to be effective on Twitter.
But before you delve into your strategy, you should join Twitter if you haven’t already. And even this relatively simple step can be fraught with danger. (Some of you may already be on Twitter and not following one or more of the tips below.)
So, here are my top Twitter tips for getting a good start on this social media platform:
Sign up for Twitter only when you are ready to follow these steps:
1. Post a photo with your biographical summary.
2. Choose a good Twitter username (it can be your name, your company name or a brand, but not something ridiculous; try to avoid the use of underlines and numbers; whatever capitalization you use enter the username, it’s how your username will appear, although people can type with or without capital letters).
3. Put your real name in the NAME box in the account settings / information. (Your Twitter username goes in the username box).
4. Start slowly watching what other people are tweeting instead of trying to amass 1,000 followers in one day and get kicked off Twitter for “spamming.”
5. Include a URL if you have a website.
6. Write something interesting in your biographical summary instead of something silly.
7. Tweet at least two updates as soon as you upload your photo and write your bio (160 characters).
Of course, there are many more tips for using Twitter on, but this will get you started. (If you’re a blogger, keep in mind that you can use third-party apps to automatically post your blog’s sources to your Twitter account.)
And no matter what other people say (and I’ve also read the naysayers), yes, and I mean if you learn to use Twitter correctly and effectively, you will come to appreciate how great this online tool is.