How to Become

Twitt er Literate

Marissa WasselukNew Media Associate

@marissapaige

Today’s GOALS• Understand the anatomy of a Tweet and basic

functions of Twitter

• How to create Twitter lists that are useful and focused

• Crafting effective messages with twitter

• How to easily add twitter to your daily workflow

• Tips to help you listen and monitor online conversations about your organization, program or issue.

What is Twitter?

• Micro-blogging platform– Links to items on the internet– Collects comments in real time– Answers the question, “What are you doing right now?”

???

Twitter is like…

WHY Twitter?

• Tweet speaks to all

• Immediate, wide reach

• Listen & monitor audience

• Find new conversations

WHY Twitter?

• Reach out to influencers & build relationships

• Creates online interactions around real world events

• A well-maintained Twitter presence can frame your organization and its leaders as major players

Getting Started

• SIGN UP!• Add an avatar picture• Add your bio• TWEET!

Getting Started

• SIGN UP!• Add an avatar picture

Getting Started

• Search

• Save a search

• Follow people who have conversations you want to listen to

Screen namesRetweet/Modified tweet

ShortenedURL

Hashtags

What’s a HASHTAG?How does it work?

Twitter To Do’s

• Choose a memorable, screen name– Choose your name if you can!– Use as few characters as possible

• Have an interesting bio– Make sure it accurately represents your brand or

what you’re currently doing.

Twitter To Do’s

• Have a good profile picture• Add your location

Twitter To Do’s

• Talk to people!• Add commentary to shares• Retweet + respond

Twitter To Don’ts

• Don’t Sell too much

• Don’t Be too repetitive

• Don’t mass-follow looking for follow-backs indiscriminately

An Effective Tweet

• Spell things correctly

• Be grammatically correct!

An Effective Tweet

• Link to updates & resources from your blog or website

• Call to action

• Open questions

An Effective Tweet

• Find the screen names of people & places you mention in your tweets

• Spell out important items

• Every tweet you send has its own URL & embed code

The Magic & Power of RT

The Magic & Power of RT

• A “RT” expands your reach!

• Don’t be afraid to ask for a RT

• MT = modified tweet

HOW TO: Make a List

HOW TO: Make Tweeting Easier

• Link your Facebook & Linkedin Accounts

• Use a third-party client to streamline your workflow

• Make Tweeting a part of your daily routine!

RECAPWhat you should be doing on Twitter

1. Create a personable avatar and profile

2. Use hashtags but make them short

3. Search, Listen & Follow4. Retweet relevant tweets to your followers

5. Always reply to tweets directed to you

6. Create lists

Think Before You Tweet!

• Are you posting from the right screen name?

• Is everything spelled correctly?

• What’s the main idea of this tweet?

• Ask yourself, “Is this useful? Would I click on it?”

Q & AMarissa WasselukNew Media Associate

@marissapaige