My Twitter
Posted by terrepruitt on June 20, 2009
I am not a Twitter expert. But . . . I have picked up a few things from a lot of people who could be considered experts. Plus I have picked up some things from just doing it.
Recently I have connected with a bunch of wonderful people who have less time than I do to spend learning about this. So, I am going to share a few things that I have learned so that I can just point them at this blog instead of typing it all out individually (on my iPhone, mind you). Now, here is the catch, this is my opinion and my perception of how it works. If you have a different opinion or you know that it works differently please kindly share. That would be very appreciated and helpful.
For my friends, here is my advice:
-Put a picture up. Anything, doesn’t have to be you if you don’t want, but don’t leave that twitter box up. That is not good. I actually have to be really convinced to follow people that have that (or I have to know them personally and understand that they just haven’t gotten around to putting a picture up).
-Fill out your bio. Put something there. If you are Nia person, tell them about Nia, if you can’t think of anything else. If you have to, read OTHER people’s bios to get ideas. I have followed people just because their bio has made me laugh. Make up something funny. List your likes or dislikes, list what you will be tweeting about, share that you like to work out, share that you loathe exercise . . . .who cares what you write, just put something there.
-Put your web address up. C’mon, you have a website because you want people to go to it. Put it out there. MAKE SURE YOUR LINK WORKS! (Ya, that is a big deal.)
-Tweet. Oh my, this is the most difficult thing, but the most important. I am still challenged by it. But do it. If you are like me it is kind of intimidating. If you are following some major people (like I am, and I mean “major” as in they are “celebs” on Twitter) their useful information can make me wonder, “What do I have to add?” So I started by retweeting other people’s stuff. Then people would retweet my tweets and start talking to me. And then I would think of something to share and bam . . . . so it goes. I still retweet a lot because there is a lot of good stuff out there that I like to share, but I also share my own stuff. I also like to tweet about stuff happening in the area of San Jose (Willow Glen) in which I teach classes.
The following is easier said than done: don’t worry so much (I still do, sometimes, but I try not to). The people that you want following you are the ones that want to see what you have to say. Right? So say what you want and you will get people following you. People will come and people will go. That’s ok.
Ok, I will continue this on Tuesday because right now, my word counter is saying that I am way over my self-imposed word limit. Tuesday I will tell you what I understand about @, RT, and DM. And of course, if you don’t want to wait, I am sure you can find all of this information out there somewhere else.
Terre Pruitt's Blog 
John Pruitt said
So true, I rarely follow people back if they don’t have a bio that is of interest to me or if they don’t have a picture (of themselves). I also look at the last 10 tweets. If they don’t interact with people, I may not follow them. Everyone is different of course.
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terrepruitt said
Bio, picture, and tweets that allow you to see what they are about. Yup, I do that too. Thank you for adding that. If you are following someone you are going to see their tweets so if you don’t like what you are seeing when you look at their profile don’t follow them. I have that same “rule”, if they don’t interact I don’t follow. In addition, if their tweets are just links to the stuff they are promoting, I don’t follow. Or if their tweets are just music, I don’t follow. But like you said, too, everyone is different. But it is a good idea to decide what you want.
I also know that I can “unfollow” people. So if I follow someone and I see tweets I don’t like then I stop following. Some people unfollow twitterers during sports events because that is all they tweet about. Then after the event is done, they add them back in. Everyone does it different and no way is the wrong way.
We are just sharing ideas here. Thanks, Mr. P.!
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Jill Campana said
Hi Terre, You constantly amaze me with your technological prowess. I know you said that you have someone who helps you, but realistically, YOU have to have the savvy to understand it all, too. I love that you are “out there” being and doing. My husband and I were just talking about it this morning regarding the situation in Iran. If it weren’t for Facebook, Twitter and Blogs, the plight of these folks (students in particular) would not be known. Life is very different these days with all of these instanteous connections — but it takes the spirit of life moving upon the face of the earth that makes it so.
I love your spirit.
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terrepruitt said
Wow, Jill. All I can say to that is Thank you.
When you are ready to join twitter, I would be honored to give you some pointers if you would like.
Have a wonderful day!
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judy said
Good twitter advice! I think the trick has been for me to figure out what I want from Twitter. I’ve moved slowly. I’m pretty picky about who I follow. It means I pick up followers at a slower rate, but I’m okay with that. Twitter can be overwhelming. I’m learning how not to let it be.
Keep the twitter tips coming!
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terrepruitt said
Everyone uses Twitter differently and no way is wrong as far as I am concerned (except rude spammers), but as long as I can block them if they have followers . . . . whatever . . .
Twitter can be overwhelming and I do think that there is a learning curve. At first I was reading EVERY tweet . . . that does not work. Now I am a little, just a little better.
I hope to share more stuff. I know there is a lot of info out there, but maybe I can share with my friends and when they learn they can share with me. Thanks, J!
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Clash Of Clans Gems Generator said
Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one
and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam comments?
If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance
is very much appreciated.
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terrepruitt said
Ooooo. Good one. So good in fact I decided to approve it! I see “Clash of the Clans” advertised on a game I play, Hooked on Words Every other puzzle it makes us watch a video and it is often Clash of the Clans.
I have been getting a TON of spam. I believe blog owners hire people to comment on other people’s blog. The spam comments used to not make any sense. Now they just ALL sound as if the English is not the person’s first language. And they are never (well, rarely) on topic. This blog does not have plug ins. I just moderate and I do not approve A LOT of comments because they are spam. 🙂 This one was was intelligently done. 🙂
Cheers!
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Slim Spray Review said
Why people still make use of to read news papers
when in this technological world all is existing on web?
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terrepruitt said
Not too many people read the paper. Not everyone likes to read off of an electronic device. I prefer a book.
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maty grzejne said
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write.
The arena hopes for even more passionate writers
such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how
they believe. Always follow your heart.
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terrepruitt said
🙂
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happy valentines day quotations said
Good way of explaining, and good piece of writing to get facts regarding my presentation subject,
which i am going to present in university.
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terrepruitt said
🙂 This is pretty old info, so you might want to check Twitter’s blog and their info on the product.
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