I’ve already posted on how to utilize Twitter and Tweetdeck on this blog so today I want to talk about how to Tweet effectively. As Twitter has gained popularity it’s become harder to stand out in the crowd. But with a little Twitter Tweaking, you can encourage new folks to visit your site.
First, and MOST IMPORTANT, utilize hashtags. A hashtag (#) makes the letters following it searchable within the Twitter universe—even if the person searching doesn’t follow you. For example, when I tweet about My Book Therapy I utilize two hastags—#write and #MyBookTherapy.
Important Note: When you space, the hashtag ends. That’s why I wrote out #MyBookTherapy with NO spaces.
Second, be creative when you compose your tweets. Avoid the tired old tweet, “Check out my newest blog post.” That—or something—similar is guaranteed to keep new followers away in droves.
Instead, compose your tweet like you would a headline. Here are some headline types to help you get started:
- Direct Headlines go straight to the heart of the matter, without any attempt at cleverness. A direct Facebook post might read Free SEO E-book.
- An Indirect Headline takes a more subtle approach. It uses curiosity to raise a question in the reader’s mind. It frequently uses clever words with double meanings. One of my favorites was, Why You Should NOT have a Facebook page. The actual blog post was written tongue-in-cheek about not wanting to promote a product.
- A News Headline is pretty self-explanatory, as long as the news really is news. It might be a product announcement, an improved version, or even a content scoop. Introducing the New Google Plus.
- The How to Headline is everywhere—mainly because it works. Just be careful not to work it too much. How to Craft a Perfect Facebook Post.
- A Question Headline must be more than just a question—it must be something your audience is actually interested in. How can Google Plus Help You?
- The Command Headline issues an order, telling the reader what to do, such as Subscribe to The Write Conversation Today!
- Another effective technique is called the Reason Why Headline. This is where your popular Top Ten Reasons to … fall.
- Finally, we have the Testimonial Headline, this works because it provides outside proof that what you offer has value. This is the only headline that uses quotation marks in the title. It lets the reader know this is a testimonial and will be continued in the body of the email.
Third, don’t give away the ending with your tweet. For example, if I was tweeting about a blog post telling writers how to use TweetDeck, I would NOT say:
Use TweetDeck to solve all your Twitter woes. www.thewriteconversation.com
That tweet tells them what to do and completely bypasses their reason for reading my blog.
Here’s a better tweet:
Does Twitter have you lost and confused? www.thewriteconversation.com
It’s all in how you word it—but really, as writers—you already knew that!
Edie Melson is a freelance writer and editor with over 16 years experience in the publishing industry. She’s a prolific writer, publishing over 700 articles in 2010. She also has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation and is a frequent contributor to many others. In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her bestselling eBook on this subject, Social Media Marketing for Writers, is available on Kindle and Nook.
As a sought after writing instructor, her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Southwest Christian Writers Studio, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is also the Assistant Acquisitions Editor for ChristianDevotions.us.
Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home, is Edie’s latest project. This devotional book for those with family members in the military will debut on Veterans Day, 2011.
She’s a member of numerous professional writing organizations, including the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, The Christian Pen, The Christian Writer’s View I and American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s also an assistant copy editor for the Voices E-zine, a publication of My Book Therapy and a part of the My Book Therapy Special Teams Blog and The Social Media Coach for the My Book Therapy Core Team www.mybooktherapy.com.
Married 30 years to her high school sweetheart, Kirk, they have raised three sons.