Twitter Basics Part 2

As a follow up on “Twitter Basics” here are some screen shots which show exactly how usernames may be hyperlinked in twitter posts and how effective use of this tool will ensure your post is seen by those you mention.

These screen shots were taken from Tweetvisor.com, which is the tool I use to view and manage my tweets. There are many tools out there. I use this one because it’s web based and I like what shows up on the screen - a status update box, my replies (or mentions), my direct messages and my twitter stream. This Twitter Cheat Sheet is helpful for exploring a multitude of Twitter tools.

HYPERLINKING A USERNAME IN YOUR STATUS UPDATE

Here you can see I typed the @ before the username “paperdress” and I used the built in URL shortener to include a hyperlink to the blog post I refer to in my status update.

Once I post my update, @paperdress is hyperlinked to http://www.twitter.com/paperdressgirl which will take one to paperdress’ Twitter stream, where one could then chose to follow her:

REPLIES & MENTIONS

Below you can see samples of my replies section. This is where I see every tweet with my username, which includes mentions and retweets. This first one shows me thanking @gmatlinks for mentioning me in his follow Friday tweet.

In the next tweet, @cristinacr wants to get my attention so she’s used the @ symbol and my username to ensure that her tweet will show up in my replies section instead of getting lost in a stream of countless tweets. Anyone who views her stream may click on my username and be taken to my stream to see who I am and why she’s tweeting me.

Follow Friday tweets are a way to tell your followers of others who they might want to follow. In this case, the usernames suggest that all these users are tweeting about grad school preparation. Each is formatted so that it will appear as a hyperlink to those users’ twitter profiles.

RETWEETS

In following two tweets, @akilbello and @riordanprograms have been kind enough to retweet my message. By doing this, their followers see my initial tweet. With only 140 characters to pass on a message, you can expect that liberties may be taken with your original message. Here you can see @riordanprograms shortened some of my words and added context but the point of the message remains clear.

Etiquette calls for me to thank both of them, which I usually do through direct messages.

Twitter Basics

When creating your account and username, keep in mind your personal brand. You will see a lot of people use aliases or avatars instead of their name. This is not recommended. Use your name if you want to build your brand.

Second, don’t tweet until you are comfortable. You can follow and get a sense of what’s going on, what kind of stuff you find interesting, what bores you (for me, it’s people who go to Vegas for the weekend and tweet the entire time about how their poker games are going).

To make the most of twitter and social networking, don’t protect your updates. Keep an open profile so anyone interested in getting to know you can. At the same time, be mindful of what you tweet and recognize that it goes on your permanent record. All of it.

And some basics:

@username
The “@” plus a username equals a hyperlink, e.g. @racheldelcau

When you reply to someone, your tweet will begin with @theirusername.

If you want to get someone’s attention, you can also put this at the beginning or in the body of your tweet. It’s sort of like saying “Hey Rachel!” Any tweets with your @username will appear in a section of your profile called replies. Most mobile applications have a similar section.

Mentions
This is when a username is placed in the midst of a tweet. Generally speaking, if you refer to someone using twitter you should include their username in the aforementioned format so it’s a link for others. Here are a few examples of using mentions to refer to individuals and other entities.

Racheldelcau: Chatting with @onethatcan about setting up an Entrepreneurs group for Consortium members.

Racheldelcau: listening @onpointradio on @kwmu – great show!

RT = retweet
This is like a forward. An example of when to use this:

Racheldelcau: The Consortium offers full ride fellowships to full-time MBA students at 15 top-tier institutions.

Onethatcan: RT @racheldelcau The Consortium offers full ride fellowships to full-time MBA students at 15 top-tier institutions.

My initial tweet is viewed by my followers. When you retweet it, all your followers see the message. Etiquette calls for including the original tweeters username and making clear any additions you’ve included. Etiquette also calls for thanking folks when they retweet your message.

Onethatcan: RT @racheldelcau The Consortium offers full ride fellowships to full-time MBA students at 15 top-tier institutions. [I’m a Consortium alumnus!]

DM = Direct Message
This is what you do if you want to send someone a “private” message. Example of proper format below:

DM @racheldelcau Help me learn how to tweet pleeeeze!

This message would show up in my DM “folder” on either twitter or my mobile app but not publicly. Also, all your tweets except your DMs show up in your “twitter stream” which is what’s on your profile page. If you click on any of the hyperlinks to my profile above, you will see my most recent 25 tweets. Under my name you can chose to follow me if you’re logged in.

Follow me @racheldelcau.

I hope this introduction to Twitter helps you find your way.  Please feel free to provide feedback!