It’s day 7 of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog process with OurChurch.com and what better way to tackle today’s challenge – which is to ‘create a link post‘ – than to provide some links to my new found friends to help them get started on Twitter.
Dave Fleet has written an easy to read reference post that covers all the basics of getting started on Twitter. The linked post is part of his 101 series.
Chris Brogan shares how he derives value from Twitter.
Getting Started This last link isn’t exactly a ‘how to’ or 101 but is a link to Twitter’s very own support page. This sub section specifically covers the ‘getting started’ aspect. I particularly recommend you read ‘The Twitter Glossary” and “Frequently Asked Questions“.
Do you have any other good introductions or suggestions for newbies to Twitter?
I see Twitter as a chance for communication and dialogue. I believe too many see Twitter as a follower competition. Generally, I only follow people that meet one of two basic criteria: 1. We will probably engage in useful dialogue 2. I want to learn from that person (leaders, teachers, innovators, etc)
If you follow me as a "social media expert" and expect me to follow you back…I generally won't….because I'm already a social media expert! :-P
My recent post Tennessee Flooding – Service Opportunity
Good points Greg and hopefully whenever someone comes here to read about getting started on Twitter they'll see yours and think on them.
FWIW, I do believe you and I have the same stance on the use of Twitter and blogging in general – to network, to communicate, to build community and other such.
Yeah…I'm old school in that respect. I see communication as a two-way street.
Sadly, too many Twitter-ers,. bloggers, speakers, etc see it as a one-way firehose from which they can pontificate (one of my favorite words).
You might even say that some of them are slightly monomaniacal (another word-of-the-day)
:-D
My recent post Tennessee Flooding – Service Opportunity
I like words too.
My all time favourite is a simple one: stuff – but pontificate is good and monomaniacal is even better.
I do think the Twitter "atmosphere" has changed. I nearly gave up on it myself.
But recently, I culled who I was following, and started paying more attention to my stream throughout the day. I have rediscovered that it's still a great way to stay on top of what's new. Most importantly, by following retweets of other people, it's still a great way to connect with people you wouldn't have otherwise encountered.
My recent post Ex-church member reviews "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers"
Jon – I'm glad Stuart has the recent post plugin active. The review of "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers" by Angela was a great read.
Thanks for encouraging her to share her view.
My recent post Tennessee Flooding – Service Opportunity
Cool! I'd never seen that plugin until this page.
I'll let Angela know about your comment.
My recent post North Point Church video goes viral, touches a nerve
I commented over on your site. So perhaps she'll see it.
My recent post Tennessee Flooding – Service Opportunity
I've been down that road as well Jon and nearly ditched it. Instead I re-adjusted my sights and set about trying to make it more useful.
I gues like anything it's what you put in as much as what you take out – but that leaves me wondering how do these 'experts' ever get anything out of twitter?
Those are some great tips, great job on the link post. I love how you have 3 great links that lead to others link, that lead to others. Link post to link post to link post. Thanks for the links!
I hadn't honestly thought about it that way :)
My aim was to put somethingup that some of our fellow 31DBBB folks would use – and I was careful which ones I picked.
At the risk of being self-serving… I wrote three series last year on Twitter, because I saw it as yet another important frontier for sharing, evangelism, teaching, prayer, etc. Here's one that became so popular, I linked all the others within it: How to choose your Twitter name.
My recent post Ex-church member reviews "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers"
Serve away Jon.
But seriously, I shall check your links out later. I've often thought about 101 type of posts for here then think, someone, somewhere has probably already done it and so don't. I should just do it I guess.
Go for it, Stuart! If you wrote a "101" post, it would be in your voice, from your eyes, to your audience — a great combination.
OK boss. I'll try to find the tme to do so.
This was an overwhelmingly simple, yet informative, way to complete today’s assignment. I wish I’d thought of it. Awesome.
Thanks Erica – if you see my next post you'll see why this one was so simple. I'm baffled by a problem and can't find a solution to it so this one had to be quick and simple – but still well thought out.
I am still up in the air about twitter. It seems to me that everyone on twitter is just tryin' to get everyone to read their stuff or buy their stuff.
Well duh!! That's what I'm doin. I think I am going to have to "unfollow" some people that I am followin'. There are two or three that tweet about a gazillion times a day about stuff they have for sale. I can't find anyone else's stuff for all the junk that's for sale.
Thanks for your post though…I think used correctly (without the force fed guerrilla marketing) twitter is a good thing.
100% agreed on that last point Kevin. Like Greg above, I unfollow most of the social media types and have tried to be very particular about whom I do follow.
But everytime I post a link to Twitter I do see a speak in visitors – and for me, even if I never use it to promote my blog then I enjoy the aspect of learning from others on Twitter.
Thanks, Stuart!
Going to check out your links later, and I hope I'll get a clue as to what Twitter is good for. :lol: I haven't figured it out yet, so that would be good.
Blessings, Cindy
My pleasure Cindy – consider Greg's approach when you do start selecting folks to follow.
Initially I'd say follow all the folks @rc2k's 31DBBB list and just stick with them until you feel comfortable knowing what it is and how it works, etc. Oh and best advice, find a client and use that. Consider Tweetdeck (the one I use) Threadsy, Twhirl, etc – in fact, have a look here:http://techcrunch.com/2009/02/19/the-top-21-twitt…
And enjoy it – it won't bite you.
Personally, I like the Twitter poetry parties. We're having one tonight at 8:30CT/9:30EST.
We meet here, and improv for an hour. It's a lot of fun…
http://tweetspeakpoetry.com
:)
Great idea for a link post, btw!
My recent post 31 Days to Build a Better Blog: How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Link the Ways
Thanks L.L.
One of the beauties of Twitter is things like Tweetups, or your poetry parties. Find a Twitter directory and start hunting for your hobby, desires, etc amd you'll soon find something to match it.
OK, Stuart. Here goes. I'm following your emphatic suggestion, and getting myself to Twitter. Thanks for the links!
Your list post of links was a great idea!
Janis
Excellent news Janis – make sure to drop @r2ck your twitter id so he can add you to his 31DBBB list of twitterers.