5 Ways You Can Get The Most Out Of Twitter

Posted on 06. Nov, 2009 by Zahid Lilani in Twitter

Twitter’s usefulness is still debatable but there is no doubt in my mind that Twitter is what you make of it. The generation I belong to still doesn’t seem to get Twitter, they are just happy with Facebook. Twitter is not Facebook, far from it. There are certain things you can do on Twitter that just might not be possible on Facebook.

Here is my list of 5 Ways You Can Get The Most Out of Twitter

1 – Networking

Take out some time to look for people who are popular in your industry and follow them in order to network. This doesn’t include people that Twitter recommends when you first sign up. Don’t be obligated to follow anyone who follows you, choose people you follow carefully. You will soon find few people you really like to monitor. Stay tuned for updates, respond to their questions, look for ideas, ask for advice. The idea here is to be an insider and to gain as much knowledge as possible. The only way you can do this is if you network among people who have the same passion, dream, and goals as yourself.

2 – Update Regularly and Listen

Keep your audience posted regularly, but don’t tweet excessively. People are following you because they are interested in what you have to say, you now have a responsibility. Try to maintain a high ratio of relevant and interesting tweets compared to insignificant details. If you blog, use something like TwitterFeed to update your Twitter stream.

You are not the only one using Twitter, it is a two-way street where people are moving at a fast pace. Observe conversations about brands, websites, products and keep an eye out for people who are talking about you. Never underestimate the power of observation, you might see something that others can’t and that will make you different from the rest of the bunch.

3 – Be yourself, keep it casual

Don’t make things up and force yourself to Tweet. Say what you feel and try to be honest, intimate, and real with your followers. People will really enjoy the candid postings and stay enthralled. Remember that Twitter is the most informal social media service you will ever come across. That’s what makes it so different from other social media sites.

4. Divide and conquer

With the advent of Twitter Lists, it is now easier than ever to keep up with people you really like to monitor. Not everyone you follow is your friend on Twitter, be selective when you create your lists. Create meaningful lists so that you and others who follow your list can get some value out of it. Remember to “take out the trash” once in a while. “Unfollow” people who are not posting positive comments, spammers, or “junk” Twitter friends.

5 – Mind your Language

What you Tweet can be used against you in the court of law, just kidding. Still, that doesn’t mean you lose control of yourself on Twitter and make it a dumpster filled with curse words and negativity. Be respectful to others, post positive tweets, engage in a meaningful debate and if it really has to get out of hands, take it off Twitter. You can never take your words back, same applies for Twitter. Don’t tweet something that you might regret.

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Tags: Twitter

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http://sharisax.com sharisax

Zahid, you’ve done it again . . . taken a hot technology tool and made it accessible to everyone.

I was particularly struck by #3, especially with your tip NOT to force Tweets. Twitter should be fun as well as useful, but to make yourself Tweet when you have nothing to say will not come across as natural.

And, although you don’t directly say this, one of my big tips is to avoid automatic tweeting and following — that is so un-SM.
http://sharisax.com Shari Weiss

Zahid, you’ve done it again . . . taken a hot technology tool and made it accessible to everyone.

I was particularly struck by #3, especially with your tip NOT to force Tweets. Twitter should be fun as well as useful, but to make yourself Tweet when you have nothing to say will not come across as natural.

And, although you don’t directly say this, one of my big tips is to avoid automatic tweeting and following — that is so un-SM.
Brittany

Type your comment here…
Brittany

Type your comment here…
Diana Litxayaleuth

I agree with everything you say because I didn’t have no idea how to use twitter. I finally started to play around with the website and got the hang of it. I love twitter now because its much more easier and it gets to the point without having unnecessary things to do. Being yourself can get you a lot of friends on there.
Diana Litxayaleuth

I agree with everything you say because I didn’t have no idea how to use twitter. I finally started to play around with the website and got the hang of it. I love twitter now because its much more easier and it gets to the point without having unnecessary things to do. Being yourself can get you a lot of friends on there.
Misgun

“Twitter is the most informal social media service you will ever come across”

I liked the way you said it because it really helps you to communicate with less pressure, you don’t have to worry about being wrong or right as long as you write something that you believe in. Also the whole article “five steps 5 Ways You Can Get The Most Out Of Twitter,” will help twitters have more understanding and purpose on twitter.
Misgun

“Twitter is the most informal social media service you will ever come across”

I liked the way you said it because it really helps you to communicate with less pressure, you don’t have to worry about being wrong or right as long as you write something that you believe in. Also the whole article “five steps 5 Ways You Can Get The Most Out Of Twitter,” will help twitters have more understanding and purpose on twitter.
Trang T. Nguyen

I really like your entry, especially #5. There are some people think that they can just write whatever they want, even use bad words or curses… It really makes other people feel uncomfortable.
Trang T. Nguyen

I really like your entry, especially #5. There are some people think that they can just write whatever they want, even use bad words or curses… It really makes other people feel uncomfortable.
Brittany

From my experience, hardly anyone properly use twitter for advancing in profession. You are instructing twitter users on how-to use twitter properly and constructively to assists them on further goals. To be honest, I had the notion twitter was pointless, and primarily used to follow celebrities around over the internet. I had no clue of the benefits it presented in accelerating my common interests and furthering my career.
This blog will educate thousands.
KUDOS Zahid.
Brittany

From my experience, hardly anyone properly use twitter for advancing in profession. You are instructing twitter users on how-to use twitter properly and constructively to assists them on further goals. To be honest, I had the notion twitter was pointless, and primarily used to follow celebrities around over the internet. I had no clue of the benefits it presented in accelerating my common interests and furthering my career.
This blog will educate thousands.
KUDOS Zahid.
Rhonesha

I have been on twitter for about 6 months and it’s still a bit confusing. I have read many articles on Twitter and from what I’ve read it seems that Twitter is mainly for company’s to promote thier businesses and celebrities. I am not to fond of twitter. I Think your kind of contridicting your self with # 3 and #5. How can I be myself if im so restricted?
http://www.twitter.com/lupayy Guadalupe Ortega

number one was interesting to me. when i read it i was thinking to myself “i haven’t been doing this.” i usually just follow anyone that follows me. its good to learn new things.
Rhonesha

I have been on twitter for about 6 months and it’s still a bit confusing. I have read many articles on Twitter and from what I’ve read it seems that Twitter is mainly for company’s to promote thier businesses and celebrities. I am not to fond of twitter. I Think your kind of contridicting your self with # 3 and #5. How can I be myself if im so restricted?
http://www.twitter.com/lupayy Guadalupe Ortega

number one was interesting to me. when i read it i was thinking to myself “i haven’t been doing this.” i usually just follow anyone that follows me. its good to learn new things.
Keil Schirrmacher

1 Networking: Gaining knowledge is a key part of life and networking is an extremely good way to acquire it. Whether its twitter, an online dictionary or a digital encyclopedia; the internet is a vast place of intelligence that more people should use. When looking something up on a network make sure that you don’t look at just one source, find as many as possible because it is very likely that one source is inaccurate.
Keil Schirrmacher

1 Networking: Gaining knowledge is a key part of life and networking is an extremely good way to acquire it. Whether its twitter, an online dictionary or a digital encyclopedia; the internet is a vast place of intelligence that more people should use. When looking something up on a network make sure that you don’t look at just one source, find as many as possible because it is very likely that one source is inaccurate.
TONIROCHELLE

I like what you said about networking.Every time you write a new update or tweet and publish it to your Twitter profile, it’s available for the world to see. You never know who may find you and hire you for a job or may know someone that may know someone there will be some people who are very interested in what you have to say and will want to know whenever you publish a new tweet.And if they missed a couple things you had to say they could always go back and read a chronological list of tweets from everyone you have .
TONIROCHELLE

I like what you said about networking.Every time you write a new update or tweet and publish it to your Twitter profile, it’s available for the world to see. You never know who may find you and hire you for a job or may know someone that may know someone there will be some people who are very interested in what you have to say and will want to know whenever you publish a new tweet.And if they missed a couple things you had to say they could always go back and read a chronological list of tweets from everyone you have .
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Zahid Lilani – Technology and Social Media

5 Ways You Can Get The Most Out Of Twitter

1 – Networking

2 – Update Regularly and Listen

3 – Be yourself, keep it casual

4. Divide and conquer

5 – Mind your Language

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