Do you tweet? [Archive] - Absolute Write Water Cooler

stldenise

06-10-2009, 12:09 AM

Hey all: I was wondering how many people use Twitter to help promote their writing. And if you Tweet, do you use an extra application to access your tweets?

For example, I'm using TweetDeck. But I'm not real happy with it lately, and it seems like I'm not getting all the tweets I ought to get!

Does anyone have a program they like better than TweetDeck?

brainstorm77

06-10-2009, 12:24 AM

Tweet doesn't seem to be popular where I live. But most everyone I know is on Facebook.

aspiringwriter

06-10-2009, 12:26 AM

I just joined twitter today...there's this guy who is living AirTran for 30 days to overcome his fear of flying!!!

stldenise

06-10-2009, 01:37 AM

I was all excited about Twitter when I first found it, then I got kinda bored with it. I still check it to see if anything interesting turns up.

aspiringwriter

06-10-2009, 01:43 AM

I was all excited about Twitter when I first found it, then I got kinda bored with it. I still check it to see if anything interesting turns up.

I'm still learning how to use it!!! Kind of confusing but I would like to have some followers from AW so they can keep up with my progress.

TemlynWriting

06-10-2009, 02:34 AM

There's a thread about AWers on Twitter (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109507) in the Blog Events and Announcements (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=179) forum. You can check out that thread to see a list of AWers who are on Twitter, and add yourself to the list.

As for promoting writing through Twitter, I use TwitterFeed (http://twitterfeed.com/) to have Twitter automatically post my blog updates. Besides my main Twitter account, I have several Twitter accounts for different blogs and communities I run.

I'd be happy to help if anyone needs help learning how to navigate Twitter. :)

SouthernFriedJulie

06-10-2009, 04:50 AM

I tweet so much my real life conversations are now 140 character exchanges.

TemlynWriting

06-10-2009, 05:11 AM

I tweet so much my real life conversations are now 140 character exchanges.

Hahaha, that's a hilarious mental image! ;)

aspiringwriter

06-10-2009, 05:35 AM

Crystal Lewis

06-19-2009, 05:03 AM

I am on twitter (@crystallewis), but I don't see how it's very helpful to me... I have about 350 followers, most of whom are freelance writers and journalists themselves... I'm not so sure they'll be interested in my articles, so I don't post links to them there. Plus, I always feel like a spammer when I use Twitter. Needless to say, I've just about abandoned my pathetic little Twitter profile.

It is a cool tool for keeping up with current events... Totally cool to see a tweet from Anderson Cooper. =)

Ms Hollands

06-19-2009, 06:54 AM

My cat tweets.

www.twitter.com/BrunoFatCat

Chumplet

06-19-2009, 07:41 AM

To me, it's just one more beak to feed. I opted out.

paperboy1005

06-20-2009, 10:28 AM

Absolutely. Twitter has really helped me get loads of traffic to my articles.

You can follow me at http://twitter.com/paperboy1005

NBWrites

06-20-2009, 02:58 PM

Hi all,
I'm new to AW so I'm just checking things out.
I love Twitter. It's been great in getting views for my Examiner page and for my blogs. The key is to interact with your followers and not just tweet your articles, posts, etc. People are receptive as long as you don't overload them.

veinglory

06-25-2009, 02:56 AM

I tweet one of my blogging topics. I subscribe to people with good info on that topic, and I tweet selectively when a post is likely to be of interest to that group of followers. I am thinking of starting another account on one of the other subjects I blog.

Chumplet

06-25-2009, 03:56 AM

Okay, Hell froze over. I'm Tweeting. It was midnight. I had a couple of drinks. I was weak.
www.twitter.com/Chumplet

stormie

06-25-2009, 04:14 AM

Heck. It took me years to start my own website, then I only started blogging in March of this year. I probably won't be tweeting until 2012 at the rate I'm going.

STKlingaman

06-25-2009, 04:42 AM

No tweet.
No Blog.
No Facepage.
No Website.
No rumor mill.
No tivo
No . .
No . .
I'm lost in Arizona.

Don't know how,
Don't wanna know.

But, if you know the secret to
writing a Query Letter, then I'm in!

SouthernFriedJulie

06-25-2009, 05:05 AM

Okay, Hell froze over. I'm Tweeting. It was midnight. I had a couple of drinks. I was weak.
www.twitter.com/Chumplet

Ha! That's how I got into it. Now me and Kathy Ireland are all BFF n' shiznit.

(seriously, she's a nice person and follows you back if you aren't too high on the Freakosity Scale)

Shadow_Ferret

06-25-2009, 05:39 AM

Tweet doesn't seem to be popular where I live. But most everyone I know is on Facebook.

Facebook. Pfft! That's so last year.

Come join us. Joooiiiinnnn uuuusssss. :)

benbradley

06-25-2009, 06:28 AM

I tweet so much my real life conversations are now 140 character exchanges.
Du u go 2 txtspk whn ur sntnces go ovr 140 chrs? : - ) U cn tweet me @ben__bradley

SouthernFriedJulie

06-25-2009, 06:42 AM

Du u go 2 txtspk whn ur sntnces go ovr 140 chrs? : - ) U cn tweet me @ben__bradley

U knw I do. Lts hk up. Im @JulesFletcher

Chumplet

06-25-2009, 08:20 AM

Omigod, I refuse to abbreviate! If I can't say it in 140 characters, it ain't worth sayin'. Slang excluded, of course.

shewrites

06-25-2009, 08:25 AM

I'm a twit, and proud of it! :) It has helped drive traffic to my blog, which is the main platform for my writing. I've found it to be incredibly helpful, not only with increasing my audience, but also with connecting with other bloggers who challenge me and inspire me. It's also, sad to say, how I get most of my news these days. ::the ex-journalist hangs head in shame::

Angie

06-25-2009, 08:27 AM

I'd be happy to help if anyone needs help learning how to navigate Twitter. :)

I may take you up on that some day when I have more time. I checked it out once but I just don't "get" it. I never thought about using it as a promotional tool.

SouthernFriedJulie

06-25-2009, 08:32 AM

Omigod, I refuse to abbreviate! If I can't say it in 140 characters, it ain't worth sayin'. Slang excluded, of course.

So teasing. I rarely do that. Only when 140 isn't enough.

LindaH

06-25-2009, 11:04 AM

mario_c

06-25-2009, 11:25 AM

I've gone from avoiding Twitter like the plague to being curious to following everyone and his mother. (No my mother doesn't tweet. That I know of. Thanks for asking.) It's useful for one liners or fast announcements, but I'll head over to the blog for any in-depth analysis.

You can see I also do FB...and a blog, and Twitter. Must...think...more...self aggrandizing.

That's /MACaiti. Come aboard!

LindaH

06-25-2009, 09:05 PM

I finally succumbed to Twitter. It was past midnight, so I wasn't in my right mind. ;-)

http://twitter.com/HomeschoolWrite

Do you veteran twitterers use an application such as twhirl or tweet deck to manage your accounts? If so, which one do you like and why?

Also, how did you find like minded people to follow. How long did it take to build up a following?

Shadow_Ferret

06-25-2009, 09:27 PM

Can I take you up on this offer? :)

One thing I'm wondering about is whether I should sign up with a screen name or my real name.

Using my real name seems more professional, and an easier way for people to find me.

But my hubby, who works in network security, doesn't like seeing my real name plastered all over the internet, including legit by-lines.

Not sure what to do.
I use Shadow Ferret, but if you look at my profile it has my real name.

Nevermind, you did the same thing. :D

TemlynWriting

06-26-2009, 01:03 AM

I'd be happy to help if anyone needs help learning how to navigate Twitter. :)

Can I take you up on this offer? :)

One thing I'm wondering about is whether I should sign up with a screen name or my real name.

Using my real name seems more professional, and an easier way for people to find me.

But my hubby, who works in network security, doesn't like seeing my real name plastered all over the internet, including legit by-lines.

Not sure what to do.

I see you've already created a Twitter account so I probably don't need to say this, but just in case anyone else wonders -- you CAN change your Twitter username anytime.

I know a few people who've started with one username and changed to another. You could start with your real name, and then change to first-name/last-initial, or anything you want.

I hope that helps! :) (Sorry I didn't respond sooner -- I've been quite ill today.)

LindaH

06-26-2009, 03:32 AM

Thanks, Julia.

I hope you're feeling better soon!

Hsekhar

06-29-2009, 10:40 PM

blacbird

06-29-2009, 11:21 PM

Only when somebody steps on my foot.

caw

mscelina

06-29-2009, 11:23 PM

I tweet cautiously. I could conceivably waste a lot of time hitting refresh on my Twitter home page. I tweet and then I split.

LorelieBrown

06-29-2009, 11:26 PM

Hello, my name is Lorelie, and I'm a tweet-a-holic.

TemlynWriting

06-30-2009, 12:42 AM

Absolutely. Twitter has really helped me get loads of traffic to my articles.

You can follow me at http://twitter.com/paperboy1005
Is this how you get loads of traffic, by posting your twitter link on forums? Come on!

Um, what's the problem, Hsekhar? No need to be so rude.

Why are you picking on paperboy1005 out of all the people who are posting their Twitter accounts here? If you'll carefully read what he wrote, he is simply sharing the fact that he posts links to his articles on Twitter, and that leads to lots of traffic to his articles. He did NOT mean that he gets loads of traffic by posting his Twitter link on forums.

You're basically calling him a spammer, yet he's interacting in this forum in more ways. He's no more a spammer than anyone else in this thread, because everyone is sharing their Twitter links.

You, however, bear some watching. The random link in your signature (which I've visited and found to be quite spammy) comes across as signature spam, which is a bannable offense here at Absolute Write.

I would tread carefully if I were you.

baltogardener

07-16-2009, 02:57 AM

I Tweet, but it took me a couple of months to figure out how to use it effectively. I used to just post a lot of links but then I began to know people and get ideas as to how to improve my tweets. I use TweetLater (http://www.tweetlater.com/) to post in advance on busy days and, more importantly, manage my followers. TweetLater will send an automatic welcome message once I approve someone. I haven't tried the other Twitter applications, though I know some love Tweet Deck.

Shadow_Ferret

07-16-2009, 03:23 AM

Tweet in advance? Are you psychic? Because I don't know what's going to happen to me tomorrow.

Thrillride

07-16-2009, 04:08 AM

I tweet cautiously. I could conceivably waste a lot of time hitting refresh on my Twitter home page. I tweet and then I split.

Yes...you don't need to hang there for long. Just chat a bit and then come back another time and look at the responses to your tweets by clicking your name on the right.

Uncarved

07-16-2009, 06:39 AM

I'm tweeting, personal and professional, whenever I can.

If anyone is interested I'm at http://www.twitter.com/tinasam

I'm adding all the writers that I can find there.

robinana

08-04-2009, 04:13 PM

I Twitter BIG TIME and have acquired numerous business contacts as well as clients from Twitter.

mommyjo2

08-05-2009, 03:09 AM

I tweet

Milehimama (http://twitter.com/Milehimama)

I just started my Examiner page, but have gotten a bunch of hits because I'm tweeting my articles and many of my follows are also interested in my topic. I use Tweetdeck so I can tweet and FB at the same time.

I love Tweetdeck. It refreshes every few seconds. I have 4 columns, one for updates, one that is a search on my name (so if anyone puts @milehimama in their post I'll see it), one is my Facebook updates, and one is DMs.

It runs off my desktop, NOT through my browser.

Hashtags (the little pound sign, #) are a great way to find others. #writing, #POTUS, #homeschool, etc.
For example, if you search for #nanowrimo (http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23nanowrimo), it pulls up tweets from everyone who tagged their tweet with that hashtag. So you can browse through their comments and easily find other writers who are participating in Nanowrimo.

You can also find people in a viral way. Browse your friend's tweets, find new people, browse their tweets, and so on.

Did you know Jane Espenson (http://twitter.com/CapricaSeven), writer for BSG/Caprica, tweets? Good to know if you are trying to break into television writing. You'd be surprised who you'll find on there!

Dr. Bork Bork

08-05-2009, 03:19 AM

I just signed up and posted my first silly tweet. Don't laugh.

North Oak (http://twitter.com/North_Oak)

stldenise

08-05-2009, 05:01 AM

I use tweet deck, but not often! I can't possibly following the tweets and twits that go on with just the twitter software.

Anybody do this on the go? I'm such a ludite, my cell phone is just a phone.

bohololita

08-05-2009, 05:38 AM

I can be found on Twitter under @lolihime89. Just saying. lol

I've always been avidly against facebook and myspace (though I do love my livejournal), but I still found myself trying twitter. Sadly, I have become addicted. Seeing my favorite celebrities have conversations about one buying the other one pants or arguing over who ate all the cereal on the bus is surprisingly fascinating at a sleep deprived 5 am when suffering from writer's block.

Chumplet

08-05-2009, 06:47 AM

After I followed a local news anchor, another one at Global followed me. Dunno why - I was flattered. He sent out a question for the evening newscast and I gave my suggestion. He put it up on the news!!!! Chumplet was on Global News! EEEK!

Okay, fangirl squeal done.

I watch my followers and block anyone who has a user name with a product and a number, and zero tweets. Spammity spam spam. I won't pad my follower list with such useless autobots.

If I follow someone and they don't have something interesting or entertaining to say, I unfollow. Brent Spiner (Data on STNG) carried on and on about the guy in the mirror and I got bored. Unfollow.

Another romance e-store did nothing but post new releases, in a long string of individual titles. Unfollowed.

With a few exceptions, I unfollow tweeters who do nothing but post links. There must be at least a little conversation in there.

nancy sv

08-15-2009, 04:08 AM

I tweet too. I try to post little blurbs about what we're experiencing on our trip and well as links to my Examiner articles. You can find me at http://twitter.com/familyonbikes

nickelnm

09-09-2009, 12:35 PM

I tweet and love it. I am using Twitter as a major part of my campaign to become Verity Mom. Also, over the past 3 weeks; I have went from 4 followers to over 30 (although, I think some are bots).

I even have a couple radio personalities and news people following me.

beforehecheats

09-09-2009, 08:31 PM

I use twitter to promote my Nashville Pop Culture Examiner page... I don't have the most followers in the world, but it's decent. Every once in a while I'll get a radio station or major fan site to RT my article, which REALLY helps with views. So when you're setting up a twitter, don't just follow "fans" of the subject, but also people who could help promote your article.

twitter.com/nashpopculture (http://twitter.com/nashpopculture)

Nadia

09-09-2009, 08:44 PM

I tweet & I use twhirl. I love the app. I follow readers, bloggers & industry professionals (agents, editors, publishing houses & writers)

StumbleRum

09-14-2009, 09:05 AM

Hell yes! I have had 4 writing assignment queries from people I have followed on twitter in the last two weeks!

Keyword Geek

09-19-2009, 03:50 AM

Me personally I find twitter boring although I have made a few sales on there.

I think there better ways to promote products and services.

~*Kate*~

10-23-2009, 08:31 PM

Good list of agents who tweet here (http://rebeccaryalsrussell.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/twitter-addresses-of-literary-agents-who-twitter/)

ETA: Oops, I bumped a really old thread. Sorry, I wasn't sure where to put this...