Laura Fitton

Article / Updated 03-28-2017

Not every Twitter account is written. Quite a few really useful Twitter accounts are automated bots (short for robots) that publish Tweets that have never touched human hands. At first, this sounds kind of awful, but there are some great reasons for doing this. Want to be among the very first to know when there is earthquake activity near San Francisco, California? Follow SF Quakebot (@EarthquakesSF) to receive Tweets based on real-time seismographic information from the USGS. Want a funny way to explain McCarthyism to a friend? Go look at Robot J. McCarthy (@RedScareBot) which scans Twitter for Tweets containing words like “communist” and automatically shares them with ironic commentary as if they were written during the height of anticommunist witch hunts. Concerned about government accountability? Congress-edits (@CongressEdits) automagically tweets whenever wikipedia.org is anonymously edited by someone whose IP address shows they are accessing the site from within the US Congress. Some Twitter accounts simply syndicate material from online outlets: event listings, blogs, newspapers’ websites, and so on. Done well, accounts like these are quite welcome in Twitter’s community. Accounts like the New York Times (@NYTimes) and CNN (@CNN), while no longer just the bots they originally were make up some of Twitter’s most-followed media accounts because even when they were 100% automated, they were still tremendously useful. Other popular forms of automated accounts can be worthwhile. Companies don’t need a human being to type great quotes or famous lines from movies and click Post. If set up mindfully and including great sharing copy and articles, an automated Twitter account that helps people follow a blog with automated Tweets can be a great idea. Or, automated Tweets can be a good addition to otherwise manually composed Twitter accounts. Many, if not all, business users employ some degree of automation to ensure that their account is sharing useful, engaging, relevant content throughout the week at the times their audiences are more likely to want to engage with it. They do this by scouring for great stuff to share and then composing Tweets in advance, using a scheduler such as Buffer, HubSpot’s Social Tools, or HootSuite. It’s also not uncommon, especially among business users, to allow certain apps to make automated posts to your otherwise handwritten account on your behalf. Use these apps with care.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016

Using Twitter is fun and surprisingly easy. It doesn’t matter where you access Twitter, — on Twitter.com, or on a desktop or mobile app on your smartphone. You can quickly navigate the Twitterverse with just a few commands. Even Twitter etiquette is straightforward and simple. Before you know it, you’ll be sending Tweets and following on Twitter like an expert.

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

With many web services, signing up is the easiest part of an otherwise-complicated process. With Twitter, using the site is just as easy as signing up. To sign up for a Twitter account, follow these steps:

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Every Twitter user — new and old — has fallen victim to confusion between @reply versus @mention. When growth marketer and content strategist Anum Hussein presented her 21 social media posting tips at the annual INBOUND conference, her tip for understanding the difference between the @reply and @mention was by far was the number one tip. Dive into these definitions to make the most of Twitter: @mention: By placing the @ symbol (traditionally used in email addresses) before a user's handle, you can tag him in your Tweet. When you do so, the other user is notified in the Mentions section of his account. @mentions is how many people converse on Twitter. Any of your Tweets with an @mention appear in the feeds of everyone who follows you. Here's an example Tweet where Anum (@anum) mentions Brittany (@bleaning) in the middle of her Tweet: @reply: Similar to the @mention, the @reply begins by placing the @ symbol in front of a username. However, this Twitter reply is a public Tweet directed at a specific person. Instead of the @username in the middle of a Tweet, an @reply places the @username in the beginning of the Tweet. Any of your Tweets with an @reply appear in the feeds of the specific person you are replying to, and anyone who follows both you and the person being mentioned. It does not appear in the feed of anyone who is following you. Below is an example where the beginning of Anum's (@anum) Tweet begins with Brittany's handle (@bleaning), indicating it's a reply directly to her. However, you'll notice that Brian Moseley (@bmose14) also saw this Tweet. That's because Brian follows both Brittany and Anum. To summarize, here's who can see which Tweets. Your Tweet Who Sees It: @pistachio loves pistachios. You, Pistachio, and your followers who also follow Pistachio Love working with @pistachio. You, Pistachio, and all of your followers. Want everyone to see your Tweets? Or perhaps you're not using @username to reply to someone, but rather to begin a sentence with her handle. In situations like these, use a period — "." — in front of your @reply to allow your entire following to see the Tweet, as in the following example. Don't want anyone to see your Tweet? Simply direct message them to send a private Tweet. Just note that the user has to be following you in order for you to message him. For more specific tips on how to formulate your Tweets, you can review Anum's full INBOUND presentation here: How to conquer the big 3 social media networks.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

One of the best ways to gain a following on Twitter is by posting engaging media such as photos, Vine videos, long-form videos from YouTube or Vimeo, or even PowerPoint presentations on Slideshare. These visuals show up much bigger in the Twitter feed, compared to a text-based Tweet, and jump out and catch people's eyes. If you'd like a little inspiration for how you can take advantage of visual content on Twitter, take a look at the following ten examples of people who are doing it well. @TheEllenShow Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) is an actress, writer, and producer, but is most commonly known for her TV show, The Ellen Show, where she brings in all sorts of celebrities to hear about their lives and have a little fun. Some segments include secret surprises, or even pranks. DeGeneres likes to have a little too much fun, and her Twitter account reflects that. The image below is a perfect example of her weekly #ThrowbackThursday, where she posts a photo from the past. If you'd like a laugh yourself, see all her photos and videos on her Twitter. @BatDadBlake BatDad (@BatDadBlake) is a Vine-based superhero who became internet-famous for his humorous videos. These 6-second clips feature him in a Batman mask asking his kids to behave and do their chores. As you scroll through his Twitter account, you'll experience a day in the life of a dad with four children who's just trying to have a little fun with such a great responsibility. See more of BatDad's Vine videos, which even include new brand-sponsored videos. @olafureliasson Olafur Eliasson (@olafureliasson) is a Danish-Icelandic artist known for large-scale installation art. He uses Twitter as a portfolio to build awareness about his art and exhibits through photographs. This photo is an example of his Riverbed exhibit at the Louisiana Modern Museum of Art, showcasing the transition between inside and outside, and drawing attention to what nature looks like in a staged environment. @ScottHarrison Scott Harrison (@ScottHarrison) is the founder and CEO of charity: water (@charitywater), a New York City-based charity focused on bringing clean water to developing countries. The majority of Harrison's visual content on Twitter includes stunning photos of people's lives and stories, drilling wells, and before and after photos of the villages' water supply. However, the photo featured here is a rare treat. Harrison recently had a baby and is using his photography skills to put him on display and prove that literally anyone can raise money for clean drinking water. @astro_reid Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) is a NASA astronaut, currently living on and serving as a flight engineer for the International Space Station (ISS) for Expedition 41. Because the ISS is in low Earth orbit, Wiseman is able to take some unbelievable photos of planet Earth, including views of sunsets and mountain ranges, plus remarkable manmade cityscapes. If you want to experience something literally "out of this world," you should take a look at Wiseman's photos and videos. @StephAndTheGoat Stephanie Izard (@StephAndTheGoat) was the winner of the fourth season of Bravo's Top Chef and has gained quite a following from her accomplishments. Izard tweets photos of her restaurant, Little Goat, and all her food experiments and menu adventures. This account will make you quite hungry, but it's a great account to follow if you're a food enthusiast. @JimmyKimmel Jimmy Kimmel (@JimmyKimmel) is an actor, comedian, producer, and screenwriter, but he is most commonly known for his TV hosting abilities on Jimmy Kimmel Live! During this show, Kimmel runs segments such as #MeanTweets, where celebrities read mean Tweets about themselves out loud for all to hear. After the show, Kimmel tweets a video of the segment for others to view and share. In addition to video clips after each show, Kimmel also posts previews before certain episodes, such as the image featured below. This entices people to tune in to the show and plays off people's curiosity. @BarackObama Since 2008, U.S. President Barack Obama (@BarackObama) has leveraged Twitter to gain attention from younger and more tech-savvy Americans. One of his most famous Tweets was just after the 2012 election. In this "Four more years" photo below, he chose to play off people's emotions and really showcase what a powerful and memorable time this was. However, on his Twitter account you'll also see data-filled graphs about the current state of the economy and other issues. Take a look at Obama's photos and videos here to see which you relate to more. @MeaganCignoli Meagan Cignoli (@MeaganCignoli), a digital entrepreneur, creates Vine and Instagram videos professionally for brands. These pieces of art are featured all over her Twitter account, which has turned Twitter into a great portfolio piece for her. The following image is part of a short, stop-action animation that artistically shows the process of decorating cookies and cupcakes. Hop over to Cignoli's Twitter account to see her remarkable Vine videos. @BostonTweet Tom O'Keefe (@BostonTweet) uses Twitter to showcase different restaurants, secret spots, news updates, and events happening around Boston. Some of his photos include pictures of food with a 140-character description of the meal, restaurant, and location. Other photos include various views of Boston, or on-the-spot findings such as #AllstonChristmas, which occurs when renters move into new apartments and leave their old belongings on the front yard. In the Tweet below, O'Keefe captured Boston's ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (an act to raise awareness for the disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) in a Vine video and challenged New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles to participate as well. Now that you've seen examples of ten Twitter users who are using visual content well, you can go off and try these ideas out for yourself! Whether you're an artist, chef, or even an astronaut, you can take advantage of photos and videos to develop a following and get more attention put on your work.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Twitter isn't just for computer users. You can access Twitter from your iOS, Android, or other mobile device with Internet access. If you don't have a smartphone, you can even text Tweets from any cellphone with SMS capabilities. All you need to know is the right Twitter access point. Here's a list of the places where Twitter is available to you. Device Access Point Web https://twitter.com Mobile phone with Internet access (such as an iPhone or Android phone) https://m.twitter.com Mobile phone with texting capability 40404 (United States)

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Done well, getting to know new people is the absolute best part of Twitter. Because it's so important, here are ten ways to do this right. One of the best things about Twitter is how easy it is to approach people you do not already know. Done poorly, this is also one of the worst things about Twitter, because it means it's possible to annoy people. If you put some thought and effort into it, it's possible to establish communication, to work together, or even establish a great new business and personal relationships on Twitter. Ask around and you're sure to find people who have befriended and even married people they first met on Twitter. By talking to people you don't already know on Twitter, you can learn something new, get help on something you're trying to do, meet some new friends and even take care of business. For best results, follow these ten tips for doing it right. Retweet (RT) them Retweeting someone, as long as you stick to retweeting when you really mean it, can be a great first step to get on someone's radar. It's subtle, it's not confrontational, and it's a very natural interaction for two otherwise strangers to have on Twitter. Just don't cross a line and creepily retweet everything they ever say. Be kind Kurt Vonnegut got this one right for certain in his 1965 novel God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater: "There's only one rule that I know of, babies — God damn it, you've got to be kind." A little kindness, especially when paired with patience and unselfishness, goes a very long way towards establishing trust and connection with someone new on Twitter. People are nervous about strangers mainly because they do not want to be hurt. Extend the olive brand of kindness by doing or saying something thoughtful. Play them a sincere compliment. Help them spread word on something important to them. Offer help for something you think they're already interested in. Ask not what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. Talk back Not mean sass; just kind, friendly, productive replies to stuff the person is saying on Twitter. Do they ask questions? Great. Share answers when you have them: It's a really natural way to start. Have something to add? Reply to their Tweet. Maybe they didn't tweet a question, but did say something you find compelling. An @reply is the way to go. Ask a question Relevance is the key to making this work well. Try to think of something that's not only on topic for them or in context of the kinds of things they know, do or talk about on a regular basis, but also try to also make your question to their advantage in some way. Try to think what kind of question they might enjoy answering, or take note of questions they do answer on their Twitter account. Be sure to make the question worth asking, that is, not something very easily Googled. You don't want them to feel like you take their time and attention for granted. Say thank you Etiquette is effectiveness on Twitter and effectiveness on Twitter is etiquette. Thank people on Twitter when they help you or do something kind. Thank people on Twitter when they share a great piece of content. Thank people on Twitter when they inspire you or make you think. Seeing a pattern here? Thank people on Twitter! Tame them There's a beautiful chapter in Antoine St-Exupéry's The Little Prince about a fox. The fox patiently explains to the prince that he must be tamed through nonthreatening, regular, and patient presence. Only then can the prince and the fox play together, once trust has been built. One secret to Twitter's incredible power is that it's so well suited to how people build trust with one another, gradually, over time, and by appearing in one another's vicinity without asking much of one another. Twitter is ideal for that. Make yourself useful If, on the first interaction with someone you can directly help them out, you're really getting the hang of this Twitter thing. Help someone out. Maybe you notice something they are struggling with or looking for that you can help with. Maybe it's a more subtle kind of help that you can provide, such as attention, promotion of their special project, or simple human kindness. Say @hello This one is further down the list on purpose, because it can be a bit too direct. Remember that you're trying to tame, not confront. Although your basic "hello world" types of Tweets addressed to nobody in particular are totally fine way to get started, a hello is directed right at someone is a little bit more abrupt. Lay some groundwork first using the steps above. Whatever you do, please do not make your very first message a selfish ask. Disagree Not every new interaction has to begin with butterflies and rainbows. Sometimes people get to know each other better when they disagree. Do not run around finding people you can prove wrong and then do so. That's not the idea at all. What is useful is bringing something real to the conversation. Taking it in a different direction, providing something they might not have considered, and overall, disagreeing productively, respectfully, and kindly. Don't do this to be negative or prove a point; do it to share knowledge and show that you truly considered what they had to say and you want to explore the topic together. Be patient More than anything else, empathy will get you a long way on Twitter towards getting to know new people. Whatever initial approach you try might be missed the first time, or they might not be ready to reciprocate your interest. That's totally okay. Remember, Twitter is always best when it's about forging better connections with people.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

When you first start using Twitter, it may seem daunting. But the truth is, whether you were among the first to join the social network or just now jumping on board, almost everyone starts as a Twitter newbie. In March 2014, Twitter celebrated its eighth birthday by launching a tool that allows users to see their very first Tweets and even share their first Tweet with the trending hashtag #FirstTweet. Here are some collected some first Tweets that may surprise you. If you're feeling at a loss while getting the hang of this Twitter thing, take a look at these popular Twitter users who started out just where you are in their Twitter lives — as Twitter dummies! Ellen DeGeneres — comedian As seen in her first Tweet, comedian Ellen DeGeneres hardly understood the lingo of Twitter when she first started. Flash forward to today: She has over 29 million followers and is famously known on Twitter for sharing the most popular image of the 2014 Oscars on Twitter, a selfie with 12 other celebrities in it. Laura Fitton — Author of Twitter for Dummies I fixed yellow highlight: Always use full numerals—not K for thousand. Also, the "K" is inconsistent, because the number of followers in the above Ellen DeGeneres text appears as 29 million—not 29M. Laura Fitton once contemplated the value of Twitter. Laura has come a long way since her first Tweet. Not only does she have more than 134,000 followers, she also spearheaded writing Twitter For Dummies and often speaks about Twitter for marketing, including guest presentations at Harvard Business School. Tyra Banks — model Tyra Banks is known for her creativity. If you've watched any episode of her hit TV series, America's Next Top Model, you'll see how she channels her creativity into different photo shoots, model hairstyles, and the challenges she has contestants on her show go through. Yet when she first started on Twitter, she couldn't think of a single first Tweet. Now she has over 11 million followers and has incorporated social media into her show, from fans sharing their thoughts on the models on social media to having a social media expert sit on the show's judges panel. Dick Costolo — CEO, Twitter Dick Costolo's first Tweet in 2007 was simple . . . it was simply his name. Despite his very simple introduction to the social network, three years later he became Twitter's chief executive officer! Brittany Leaning — co-author, Twitter For Dummies Man — Brittany's first impression is worse than Laura's! She wasn't even willing to give it a try — she was forced to by a professor. Since then, she's become a social media pro, previously running HubSpot's over 400,000 Twitter following and now co-authoring Twitter For Dummies. She's gone from knowing nothing about Twitter to knowing everything by jumping on, playing around, and experimenting. As you can see from these five examples, Twitter was once foreign to many of today's top users. Even those who understood the concept still had to figure out what worked well for this new social environment. So start using Twitter, start sharing some content, and watch what happens. You'll learn as you go and figure out if it's the network for you.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Twitter etiquette isn't only about what you should do. Unfortunately, bad Tweets and poor Twitter practices sometimes show up within microblogging communications. Although you can't really go horribly wrong on Twitter, you'll make your life easier in the Twitterverse if you follow these guidelines: When you first sign up and before you start tweeting regularly, don't follow hundreds of people. If you follow someone, she checks out your profile to see whether she wants to follow you back; if she sees that you've tweeted once or twice and you're following hundreds of people, she may think you're just a spam account. Start slowly, following people you know and who know you. Then, as you start tweeting regularly, follow more people based on your interests. Avoid using punctuation in your username. Typing punctuation on mobile devices is difficult. Don't share information that you might regret making public. Don't send an update when a direct message is more appropriate — when the update is meaningless to anyone except one person, for example. If the person doesn't follow you, you can send an update that contains her name, asking her to contact you over another medium. Don't feel the need to thank everyone publicly for following you. It's a nice thing to do, but not always necessary, and some users even find it irksome. Don't think that Twitter success has anything to do with your follower count.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The Twitterverse doesn't have many rules, but there's such a thing as Twitter etiquette. Writing Tweets of 140 characters or fewer isn't the only guideline. Your experience on Twitter will be a positive one if you keep the following tips in mind: Say what you think or are doing. In general, keep Tweets longer than one word so that your followers can understand you. Listen to what your Twitter network is saying. Respond to Twitter followers when you can add value to the conversation. Update your status at least once a day. Fill in your profile and biography so that other people know more about you. Use your own picture as your profile photo. If the picture you use contains more than one person, make sure that people can tell which one is you. Whenever you're referencing another Twitter user, use his name with an @ sign in the front so that the user can see that you mentioned him and so that other users see who you're talking about. Use hashtags to give context to updates that may not make sense otherwise.