Rule #1: Give credit via Twitter name. Examples: @SherryMain or @inculink.
Rule #2: Give credit via Twitter name. Examples: @rww or @AdamAinbinder.
When I read an article or blog post online, I like to see Twitter links to the people who are being mentioned. Why? Because if I’m interested in something they’ve said once, I want to know quickly if there’s more to them.
A Twitter profile is a great way of getting a quick snapshot of someone. In this day-in-age of information overflow, I can’t help judge a book by it’s cover. I have 10-seconds to find out whether someone is interesting or not. I can decide later if in fact that judgment was correct, as I get to know them via tweets. But if you lost me in those first 10 seconds, then you’ve lost me forever.
On the other hand, if you hook me with your Twitter profile, well then you’ve probably got my attention on your blog or website… and probably even Facebook, LinkedIn, or Tumblr.
I find that I learn a lot more by reading the first two pages of a Twitter profile, than I can get out of a personal blog or website. Just yesterday, I connected with @swannny because she is a “tech-crazy, opera-loving geek girl”!
Here’s what I find helps when it comes to general Tweeting habits:
Take advantage of the 160 character profile. Be selective in your words used to describe yourself – and take advantage of the 20 extra characters! What I’ve tried to do in my profile is to connect with others in higher education communications, entice conversations with people who share similar hobbies, and market a personal venture:
Comms Director @ UCIrvine. Business, political, technology and culinary junkie. Enjoy travel, outdoor adventures and photography. Also, co-founder of @inculink.
Diversify your tweets, often. If the entire first page of your Twitter profile are @ replies or purely about your state of mind, I can’t be convinced that I have a connection with you. But a useful business tip coupled with a personal misadventure, plus an intriguing conversation with another Twit will intrigue me enough to follow someone.
Twitter is still a very nascent tool, but its community and its power are growing exponentially. The ways and means in which Twitter can be used could never have been predicted by it’s founders (@ev, @biz and @jack). But online habits have changed the culture of information flow, and I think as content creators on the web, we need to be sure to provide quick links to readers and other creators alike!