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Melodie on The Radio with Twitter Tips for Beginners

April 14, 2009 8

In 2008 I posted the blog Traditional Media Companies It’s Time To Go Digital. I emphasized that if traditional media embraces social media and uses it strategically they now has a new opportunity to engage, interact and compel their audience. The time has come! The past few months Social Media and Twitter in particular have been all the hype through celebrities, news stations, radio and even newspapers.

San Diego’s Top 40 radio station, Channel 933 does a great job at having their on air personalities update and interact with listeners through Twitter. They realize as a radio station that represents pop culture they need to be at the forefront of what’s happening. As more people sign up for Twitter, more confusion is caused and it becomes difficult to understand what Twitter really is and how to benefit from it. I was invited by my friends on Channel 933’s morning show, AJ’s Playhouse to educate listeners on Twitter. If you’re finding my blog from the segment on April 14th then welcome! The invitation to the show inspired me to compile some Twitter tips for beginners.

ajs-playhouse

Before I go into specific tips, lets get this main question out of the way: WHAT THE HECK IS TWITTER?! Twitter is a micro blog that allows users to communicate by providing real time information quickly and efficiently. The 140 character limit allows people to cut to the chase in their tweets. The following tips will define my answer.

1. Establish why you’re on Twitter: Twitter is an incredibly powerful viral marketing tool. If you identify in the beginning what you’d like to accomplish through Twitter you can create a strategy aligned with your goals. For example some people use Twitter to promote an event, brand a business or establish themselves as an authority in a certain industry.

2. Choose a Screen Name: Your Screen name, aka Twitter handle is extremely important in branding your online persona. Choose a screen name that identifies you. Keep it simple, your screen name should be easy to remember. The longer and more complicated your name is the harder it is for people to recall it.

3. Fill out your Bio: It is important to completely fill out your bio. Be concise and let people know the value they’ll get from following you. It’s  important to have your website link,  link your blog, LinkedIn, etc. This gives people another way to connect with you. This is especially important if you’re brand new and people don’t have much criteria to go off of in deciding whether or not to follow you.

4. Choose your avatar: Your Twitter Avatar is your face in cyberspace. It’s a unique reflection of your online persona and a way to brand yourself  visually. I’ve blogged about some tips and tricks you can use to maximize the power of your avatar.

5. Follow your friends: The best way to start connecting on Twitter is to follow your friends who are already active. Listen to what they’re saying and start interacting with them. This will warm you for interacting with the larger Twitter community.

6. Follow people with similar interests: Once you get the hang of interacting with your friends start following people in your industry or those who share similar interests. This allows you to learn new things and converse with others about topics you’re familiar with.You can find people through the Twitter “Search” function or Twitter directories such as Twello and WeFollow. You can build a community around people who share your passions.

7. Interact: Now that you’re following friends and people with similar interests you’ll have an opportunity to reply to things that interest you with ideas and insight and ask questions about things you’d like to learn. When you’re replying to someone use the “@” symbol next to their screen name. This automatically hyperlinks the other person’s twitter account ie: @MyMelodie

8. Retweet: Retweeting is a great way to accelerate the viral power of Twitter. When you Retweet something you’re reposting a tweet from someone else and sharing it with your entire network.  Place “RT” and the @name before the Tweet so you’re giving credit to the person who originally posted the Tweet. Posts get Retweeted if they’re interesting, informative, original etc. It’s a great compliment to the person who posted the original tweet and it shows that you’re actively participating in your community. Please view the image of some Retweets I received about being on AJ’s Playhouse.

MyMelodie Twitter Retweets

9. Contribute: Twitter is all about building a community so make sure you’re actively engaging your followers by seeking and posting interesting content. Others will begin to trust you as a resource and authority in your particular niche. This is the next step to establishing a stronger relationship with your network.

Congratulations you’re now part of the Twitterazi :)!

I also want to address 2 questions I always get asked by newbies. The answers will give you more insight on how to use Twitter.

Why would anyone care that I’m eating a sandwich or drinking coffee? No one cares, but they do care if you’re eating a sandwich from a restaurant you highly recommend and they do care if you received poor service from the coffee shop you’re at. Add value to your tweets to provide others with insight. For example instead of Tweeting “I’m eating a sandwich”  say “I’m eating a sandwich at Subway they’re having their $5 foot long special today don’t forget to take advantage of the delicious deal”

Isn’t Twitter just like updating my Facebook status? NO. While you can integrate the two, they serve different purposes. Twitter is a real time tool that provides instantaneous information on what’s happening now. Facebook has a similar feed but the overall viral power for spreading information is not as efficient as Twitter.

Before I sign off this blog post, of course I must promote myself. Follow me on Twitter 😉 @MyMelodie and feel free to Retweet this post directing from the “Tweet This” button on my blog. If you have any other questions about Twitter or Social media in general, please feel free to leave a comment. I will be glad to respond.  Happy Twittering!

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8 comments Leave a comment

  1. What a great idea, Melodie, of being on with AJ and the crew. Can you list their Twitter handles? That would make finding them easier! @Hula933 ROCKS.

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