Twitter for Journalists

Twitter for JournalistsPart I: For Beginners

Getting startedChoosing a handleSetting up your profileTwitter speakGetting followersTips & tricksAction Plan

Alexis GrantNov. 15, 2010agrant@usnews.comChoices:Your name or variation Benefit: Suits you no matter who you work for or what you tweet about.Subject-related handle, like @AlphaconsumerConsider:Will your handle still work if you leave this publication or change interests?You can tweet about lots of topics no matter what your handle.Try to avoid underscores, numbers, anything that looks like an AOL screenname: FuzzyKitten83.If possible, stick to one handle rather than one for professional, one for personal especially if youre new to Twitter.

Choosing a handleFill out ALL info. Leave nothing blank.Photo: Use close-up shot of your faceMake bio useful and interestingPeople will use all of this info to decide whether to follow youPersonalize your backgroundColors: Make it match U.S. NewsSetting up my profile

@replies@mentionDifference between @reply and .@replyDM = direct message (private)RT = retweet what someone else tweeted#hashtags = grouping tweetsBest format for tweets = Statement, @mention (attribution), link. Hashtag at end or embedded.Your Twitter stream should be mix of your own links, RTs and @replies.TwitterspeakDont press Twitters RT buttonInstead, cut and paste a tweet, put RT @handle as attributionWhy? So the person SEES it. Theyll follow you back or RT you in return.Next session, well go over Hootsuite, which makes it easier to RTRead more: Please, for the love of God, stop using the RT button!Why RTing the old way is betterFind people you like, see who they followPick someone, Google name Twitterhttp://wefollow.com - users with influenceLook at other peoples listsSearch for topic hashtagsInteresting people will also come to you follow them back

How to find tweeps to followMost tweets should include a link or @mentionOffer value: useful or entertainingIdeas:Links to our storiesLinks to other outlets stories on your topicWhat youre working onOther topics on the fringe of what you coverQuestions that generate conversationRT interesting peopleAnything interesting, even if its off-topicSet up an RSS feed and Google alerts for blogs and stories on your topicWhat do I tweet about?Dont automate it; do it by handAsk questions, add commentsDont write: new post say what its aboutUse keywords (like SEO)Use @mentions when possibleMake it sound useful and applicableAdd hashtags at end or embedded

When tweeting our linksMaintain objectivity.Be careful with comments on RTsStraight-up RTs are not endorsements, but can be perceived that way = carefulAt the same time, show your personality@replys are important, but be cautious

Journalists must considerLet new sources find you easilyEasily communicate through DMsDiscover new sources Ask your followers for what you needBuild credibility and grow your brandFind story ideas and trendsDrive traffic to your site

Perks for JournalistsTweet qualityAlways use @mention when possibleFollow and RT tweeps you want to notice youBe interactive more than a stream of linksKeep your followers higher than followingAdd topic hashtags: #journalism, #socialmedia, #jobs, #jobsearchAdd handle to e-mail signature in clickable format: http://twitter.com/youAdd handle somewhere on website Make it easy to find youSo how do I get followers?Dont automate tweets. Always do it by hand so you can add @mentions, questions, personality Drag tweet button to your navigation bar: http://dev.twitter.com/pages/share_bookmarkletBit.ly, too: http://bit.ly/pages/sidebarFind popular hashtags for your topic, add them to your tweets - Look at which hashtags other people are usingSearch Twitter: http://search.Twitter.comWhen Twitter fails, use Google: name TwitterTweet on weekdays, Facebook on weekendsTips & Tricks1. Pick a smart handle.2. Fill out your profile completely: photo, location, link, and intriguing bio.3. Make your profile look pretty: background and colors.4. Tweet at least 6 times before you follow anyone.5. Follow 20 people (U.S. News tweeps, industry experts, other publications). 6. Practice tweeting while you wait for them to follow you back, then follow another 20.7. Use http://wefollow.com to find more people to follow.Plan of action8. When someone follows you, consider following them back (if they look interesting and non-spammy).9. Put your Twitter handle in your e-mail signature in this clickable format (or make it a link): http://twitter.com/alexisgrant10. When you have 50 followers, talk to me about an RSS/Twitter widget for your section.

Plan of action (Cont)U.S. News: @USNewsMoney: @USNewsMoneyEducation: @USNewsEducationCareers: @USNewsCareersMutual Funds: @usnews_fundsKim Palmer: @AlphaConsumerRick Newman: @rickjnewmanAlexis Grant: @alexisgrantBen Baden: @benbadenMeg Hadley: @mmhandleyRyan Lytle: @rlytlePaulo Ordoveza: @brownpauSara Clarke: @seclarkePhil Moeller: @philmoeller

U.S. News tweepsQuestions?Next session: Scheduling tweets, lists, Hootsuite & strategy