Download - Tweeting For NC State University
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Welcome to “Tweeting for NC State University”
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Twitter is a fancy Web 2.0 tool that lots of bosses want you to use so they can say they’re doing social media stuff. But it’s also useful.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Twitter lets users post in 140 characters or less pretty much anything you can imagine. It’s evolved well past answering What are you doing?
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Let’s be honest. No one cares what you’re doing. Eating isn’t interesting. Neither is waking up, going to sleep or arriving at work.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Isn’t that all Twitter is? A bunch of narcissistic commentary with no real value for responsible, intelligent, working people?
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Nope. People use Twitter to share links, news, feedback, answers, insights, even for real-time coverage of news and events.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Twitter also lets companies and employees listen to the social media conversation surrounding their brands, participate in it and affect it.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
NC State’s brand is profound and its people make it remarkable. Twitter lets us celebrate that depth and diversity in our own voices.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
So....What should I tweet?
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Share. Use Twitter to tell the facets of NC State’s story you know, influence, experience or find interesting.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Make NC State a part of conversations about what you do by being part of those conversations. We are our people.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
News, events, pertinent information, industry insights, questions, feedback solicitations—all of it has a home on Twitter.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
But be diverse in your postings. Shameless self-promotion shouldn’t be your (only) focus. A little is ok #ncsuweb
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Know your current audience and the audience you want. Consider what they’ll find interesting.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Before you hit update, ask yourself “Who cares?” If you can name them all by their first names, don’t post. If you have no idea, don’t post.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Think of Twitter like networking at a cocktail party. Be relevant, be personable, be entertaining and be memorable.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Don't be that guy—the one who talks about himself and how great he is the whole night and doesn't listen to anything anyone else has to say.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
How do I get started?
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
It’s a good idea to listen to the conversation a bit before jumping in. http://www.twitter.com No account required. When you’re ready, sign up.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
You’ll need an unique email account for each twitter account. http://www.twitter.com -> sign up now.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Pick a username. Be accurate and informative. Name should reflect the NCSU name or unit (not the person updating tweets).
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Fill out the profile information, and provide the account user’s name here. Be honest. It’s good for transparency and authenticity.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Add a photo that represents both the university and your unit. Same thing for your background. NC State downloads coming.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Don’t leave everything as “default.” Take some time to customize the look and feel of your page. Web Color Palette (http://bit.ly/cq4ut).
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Start at http://twitter.ncsu.edu to find some people to follow. Most will follow you back. See who they’re following, grow your follow list. Use search to find more.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
A few “do’s and don’ts” of tweeting...
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Have one or more communicative purposes. Don't: Tweet outside your purpose.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Discern the core messageDon't: Bury the lead
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Make your tweets interesting. Sell your story with your tweets.Don’t: Be uninteresting, stodgy or overly formal.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
OK: NC State Engineering Researchers on Centennial Campus publish new research on implications of nanotechnology advances. http://shortlink
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Better: Is nanotechnology killing us bit by tiny bit? #ncstate attempts an answer http://shortlink
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Contractions, colloquialisms, slang and flexible grammar are your friends.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Tweet things that directly or implicitly support the fundamental NC State brand: hands-on, relevant learning opportunities that contribute to “real world” solutions.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Provide context for your links
great #ncstate article on how visual consistency strengthens brands http://bit.ly/asdfd
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Don’t: Offer blind links
check it out!! http://bit.ly/lkasdf
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Remember whom you’re tweeting for.Don’t: Post anything you don’t want your boss AND the Chancellor to read.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Provide university contextDon’t: Assume the Twitterverse knows who or what you’re tweeting about
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Working on some cool stuff for “Information Technology” will get lost. Use NC State Information Technology or some variation. Topic+Context FTW
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Participate in the twitter community by @replies
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
How to reply: type @ followed directly (no space) by the username of the person you want to reply to. Lots of tools do this for you.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Give context even in @repliesDon’t: Assume all your followers know what you’re replying to
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Use reply when you have something to addDon’t: Have personal conversations in public
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Listen and respondDon’t: Ignore @replies
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Trying to reach out to a reporter? Follow them on Twitter and @reply when you have something that might help. Build a relationship.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
You can @reply to anyone, even if you’re not in a follower/following relationship (yet).
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Connecting through Direct Messages
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Direct Messages (DMs) provide a way to only tweet to an individual user and not your whole user base.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
DMs don’t appear in the timeline. They are private between 2 twitter users.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
You can not DM a user that doesn’t follow you.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
When to DM v/s @reply?
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Spread the word through Re-Tweeting
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Retweeting helps spread a tweet around the Twitterverse
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
How to retweet: Copy/paste full text of a tweet, add RT:@originalposter in front of post.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Retweet good, relevant tweetsDon’t: Retweet anything you wouldn’t post yourself.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Retweet posts your audience would find interestingDon’t: Retweet posts your audience doesn’t care about
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Leave room in your tweets for retweets (RT @timjonesonline takes up 18 characters)
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
You can retweet anyone, even if you’re not in a follower/following relationship.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Promote your brand by adding hashtags to your tweets
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Tag lots of stuff with #ncsu and #ncstateDon’t: Forget to tag
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Limit your local tag vocabularyDon’t: Create multiple tags for the same thing
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Use hashtags in contextDon’t: Create arbitrary, uninformative tags (often) #nothelping
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Spread the word with links and pics
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Use a link shortener Don’t: Not post links
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
http://bit.ly is great. Free account, let’s you track links and references. Very helpful for metrics. Great for your links, less so for “general links”
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
http://bit.ly key stats: Number of clicks and referring sites/tools. Neat.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Some real world example tweets about advertising, announcements and news...
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Twitter is about connecting with new people, so you gotta follow them!
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Do: Be discerning in who you follow and who you let follow you.Don’t: Follow everyone.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
When it comes to earning followers content and participation are the most effective investments.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Search topics, ideas, people, places—find people to follow. Places like http://www.wefollow.com offer some good ideas as well.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Find groups of people with Lists
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Lists are user-generated groupings of other twitterers.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
http://listorious.com/ can help you find relevant lists to follow. Also create your own lists.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Twitter has spam too
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Spotting the spammers is pretty easy...
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Following: 2,347 Followers: 7 Tweets:1
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Every post is “Check out my xxxxxxx” or “Learn how to make millions on the Internet”
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Blind links + names like sexychristine324 with posts like check out my pix -> http://got.vir.us
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
...or is named @jason_austin
(joke)
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Spammers are fairly harmless. Just don’t follow them.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Search is your friend
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
http://search.twitter.com can help see what people are saying
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Twitter is a real-time news network. Just check out the trending topics...
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Use twitter tools to help manage your account
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Tweetdeck, TwitterFox, Tweetie, Twitterific, Twhirl, Netvibes—the list goes on and on. Find what works for you.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
So you think you are twitter master now? It’s time for a throwdown, Bobby Flay style.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Get in groups of 3 or 4 and craft a tweet promoting a news announcement. And make it good :)
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Purpose? Interesting? Relevant? Context for links? Hashtags? Retweetable?
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
A parting challenge: Commit to at least 3 tweets a day: 1 original post, 1 @reply and 1 RT@. This requires you to contribute, participate and listen.
Tweeting for NC State University @timjonesonline @jason_austin @nematome
Go forth and tweet!
Please fill out the evaluation at http://webapps.ncsu.edu/classmate/