Tags
Author, Blogging, blogs, Brinda Berry, Contemporary Romance, Gloria Richard, Humor, social media, twitter, Writer, Writes
Welcome back! Brinda Berry returns with her series designed to optimize my web presence; minimize the time required to build and maintain a professional presence. The first three posts in the series addressed my B-L-0-G. There are additional enhancements I want to make (as time and talent permit), but Brinda assures me I have a solid foundation.
This week we move on to another platform: TWITTER. TwitterVille has it’s own language, like Tweets and Tweeps and Retweets and Twerps.
What? That last one isn’t in the TWITTER dictionary? See why I have techie-guru-talented-writer and friend Brinda Berry knock me out of my hammock each Wednesday? You are welcome.
PSST: THERE’S A SUPER SECRET GIVE-AWAY LINK YOU CAN CLICK AFTER YOU COMMENT. IT’S COURTESY OF BRINDA AND I’M EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN TO ENTER.
Thunk. I got tipped out of my comfort zone. Climb Flitter aboard, Brinda!
SERIAL WEB PIMP BRINDA BERRY
Brinda Berry is the author of The Waiting Booth, a YA fantasy published by Etopia Press. Currently working in higher education administration, she spends her days thinking of ways to improve education for college students. Brinda spends her nights devising exciting tales that involve teens who might be saving the world.
Friends Don’t Let Friends Tweet Without a Guide
by Brinda Berry
.
I am basically a shy person. No, really I am. I’m the person who hates walking up to a stranger at a party or business function and saying, “Hi, I’m Brinda and blah blah blah.” On Twitter, I suddenly feel able to make friends with someone who mentions they have a dog or they’re a writer OR they also ate cheetos for lunch. So, Twitter is a place to connect with people. There are lots of businesses on Twitter and that’s great. You should conduct yourself like a business (writing) in some aspects. On the other hand, there are business-like techniques that I say you should AVOID as a writer. I hate it when people I just met (or followed) are trying to sell me something. Come on. We JUST met. As a creative force, you should maybe think more like a rock star or actor while on Twitter. Be likeable.
I’m going to do a bit of self-promo here and plug a few old posts from my own blog. Here is some homework for Gloria. The first post is about how you should place a period (or other placeholder) in front of a reply on Twitter and why. If you don’t practice this, you will greatly reduce the reach of your Twitter posts. How to Engage People with Your Reply.
The second post is about making lists. Lists on Twitter help you to get to know people better. You want to be on other people’s lists. It means they like you and don’t want to lose track of you. Here is an example. Let’s say I walk into a room of one thousand people and begin randomly searching for someone who can talk with me about query writing. I walk up to persons #1, #2, #3, and none of these folks are slightly interested in this topic. #1 is talking about the World Series. #2 is talking about how she hates baristas. #3 is trying to sell me male enhancement products. This is not going well, is it? OR I could have a list of fellow writers and access that list to see what they are discussing. BINGO. Several are talking about queries. Some are talking about open submissions calls. Others are just talking about fun stuff, but heh….we need that too. Here is my post with instructions on lists: Pay Attention and LISTen.
And finally, you may remember that I asked Gloria to start looking at her blog analytics/stats. I told you that I believe in measurement. I NEED confirmation that I’m getting somewhere with this form of social media.There are dozens of measurement tools out there– Klout, Twitalyzer, and Twittter Grader to name a few. I graded myself in May 2011 on Twitter Grader and and wrote a post about it: Are You Making the Grade. The good news is that I’ve gone from a score of 87% to 94 % . Woo hoo! If you read the post, you’ll see what they’ve graded me on and why these metrics are important.
Until next week, Gloria can choose (1) to practice replies with the period in front, (2) make a list and add some people to it, (3) plug her username in Twitter Grader and see what it says! These are my suggestions, and I do not claim to be a TWITTER GODDESS. I’m only sharing my opinions and practices. I must admit that I enjoy Twitter and hope to see you in the Twitterverse!
.
THANKS, BRINDA! And, if you’re reading this, thanks for visiting. Remember, leave a comment, a question (Brinda will answer on-line) and then click here to be redirected to Brinda’s Site to enter your name in the SUPER SPECIAL NOVEMBER PRIZE RAFFLE. You can enter as often as you want. Just make sure you leave a comment before you do! (I think it’s a secret decoder ring.)
Gloria Richard 
Hi Brinda,
Great tips. I retweet, but didn’t know about the period thing in replies. Good to know.
I went to twittergrader.com and scored 68%. I follow 122, have 90 followers, so the ratio isn’t too out of whack. (Clearly, I have not reached celebrity status!)
I haven’t engaged in much conversation on Twitter and I’m sure that plays into my score. On the flip side, I know this could become a HUGE distraction for me to stay logged on to Twitter. Heck, I could make a career out of it. I choose to write instead. If that lowers my grade, I can live with that.
I’m saving the LIST post because I think that one sounds like more thinking will be involved, and, back to earlier point, I choose to write. For now. I’ll come back to this post because I know it is valuable and I need to learn it.
Must also give due credit to my Twitter Tutor Jessica Aspen. Again, I chose to write rather than read her ‘novella’ of Twitter knowledge, but saved her info for a rainy day.
Thank you Brinda and Jessica for bringing me into the Twitter Age, and Gloria, for hosting this series.
Hi Sherry *waving*,
I completely understand about the Twitter thing. I recognize my own tendencies to stay on Twitter too long. It’s funny that Facebook doesn’t affect me this way. Someday, maybe I’ll get to read Jessica’s novella on Twitter (haha). Did you enter the giveaway? Here’s the secret link: http://www.brindaberry.com/giveaway-goodness.html . Don’t tell anybody.
Whoop! Did I forget to get the link into the click here prompt? Have NOT yet done any of my TWITTER tasks. We’re in doggie mania mode today. Sydney (our older yellow lab) hurt her back leg yesterday while chasing tennis balls. Turns out it’s her ACL and she’ll need surgery. The vet is medicating Sydney to keep her calm. He needs a crate beside Sydney’s and an IV drip for my husband. I’ll check back with my score in a few!
I might be clueless about Twitter, but I remain determined to master its language and nuances. Brinda, each of your posts on netwoking has been a great advantage for those of us still learning the delicate balance of our craft and getting out the word. Thanks 🙂
Hi, Florence! LOVED your tour of Museum Mile (and two blocks). Thanks for visiting and don’t miss your chance to enter the drawing.
Brinda sent me an email to remind me to enter. Thanks to both of you 🙂
Question for you, Brinda. I scrolled through my tweets and found one “prolific” subscriber who is both fond of her breasts (as per close-up pic) and mother bleeper (as per her comments). I do NOT recall clicking on this person. When I stop following her, will she know? And, is it advisable to break that “follow.” Example: Will others see what recent tweets are on my list?
Answer #1: I’m sure you followed prior to a posting of a change in profile picture. That would explain why you don’t remember. She can find out that you “unfollowed” her by using a third-party application like Quitter or Who Unfollowed Me. Honestly, I’ve unfollowed people for various reasons. It is NOT a contract. I have no qualms about unfollowing if I want to do so.
Answer #2: Others can see who you follow if they are curious, but only you see your twitter newsfeed. Unless you are engaging in conversations with this person, you could choose to ignore. I am following almost 1000 people at this time. I have no clue about A LOT of the people I follow. I just can’t keep up with that many. I probably have some Twitter followers with profile pics that fit into the description above. The profile pics change. The more people in your newsfeed, the more of a blur it becomes. THUS …the lists. lol
Do what you are COMFORTABLE with doing.
Let me correct the phrasing in : ” I probably have some Twitter followers with profile pics that fit into the description above.”
I should have said, ” I probably follow some people on Twitter with profile pics that fit into the description above.”
I can only see the ones I follow in the newsfeed. If they follow me and I don’t follow back, I never see them UNLESS they mention me. Example: Hey @Brinda_Berry, why aren’t you following me.
I think I’ll opt for the “choose to ignore” for now, Brinda.
I have other priorities on TWITTER. Including, (ACK!) my “grade.” But, that’s what this series is about. Learning what I’m doing right and how to improve. Then, on to the lists.
I think NaNo kick-off parties may be interfering with the activity I normally see when you post. Yes. I’ve followed the stats as you suggested in your first blog in the series. 🙂
Hi Gloria!
Brinda, I am loving your articles. I’ve only put a toe in the twitter world, but I do mean to explore and get comfortable with it. You are motivating me to get moving! I see the benefit in widening our social media circles, but at the same time, I’m worried about getting caught up.
Brinda, do you think it’s more valuable to twitter or to blog?
Hi Sharon,
I believe that every author should have a website or blog. This is where readers, agents, publishers, etc will look for find you. Almost everyone has internet access today. Second, Twitter and Facebook can help to allow for more personal interaction with potential readers and other folks you may want to know better. I hope that friends on Twitter visit my blog at some point to find out about my writing. So, the blog is the best start and expand from there as your time allows.
Hi Brinda,
Great tip about the period. I didn’t know! I hated twitter when I started, but it’s growing on me. I’ve found it’s a great way to make connections with people of similar interests!
Hey, Ute! Thanks for visiting. I used that handy tip when I tweeted about your Women’s Lit novel, BLUEBERRY TRUTH. Visitors! If you didn’t see the Tweet or haven’t yet heard about Ute, you should visit her site. Great book premise and compelling excerpt.