I'm getting a huge kick out of Twitter, but I'm also noticing that many users are unsure what to Tweet about, especially when they first join. They'll take the "what you are doing?" concept literally and write things like "figuring out this Twitter thing" or "eating sushi."
Fascinating stuff, isn't it?
Not so much. I prefer not to read Tweets about what you had for lunch (unless you have something witty to say about it), your bodily functions (just plain gross), or what the weather is like on a beach in Maui (first of all, it makes me jealous and second of all, why are you Tweeting on vacation?). Instead, here are ten things to tweet about.
- Goals. Twitter is the perfect place to post your goals, because you'll have people cheering you on and keeping you accountable in real time. Try it.
- Accomplishments. Say you just landed a new client or finished a big project. That's a good reason to Tweet your own horn and share the elation or relief with your followers. If you're working under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), then be sensitive to that and don't reveal the details.
- Questions/polls. Chances are, if you have a question, someone on Twitter has the answer, so don't be shy about asking for advice or opinions. These Tweeple love to share!
- Responses to others' Tweets. Just as you might ask for recommendations on web hosts or hints on handling a difficult client, you should be willing to @ and chime in with your own suggestions or words of encouragement.
- Quotes. Quotes are very retweetable without being blatantly self-promotional. Look for ones that are short and funny or thought-provoking.
- Retweets. This is ultimate to complement to your fellow Tweeple and a great way to share interesting links/resources, but it's best to balance Retweeting with your own Tweets. Too many RTs and it looks like you have nothing original to say. Too few and you might appear self-serving.
- Link love. Like Retweeting, linking to interesting news articles or blog posts boosts goodwill and spreads useful information. Funny links are good, because they show your humorous side, but don't post too many of those if you're trying to create a professional persona on Twitter.
- Blog posts. I don't Tweet every single blog post, but if it's one I'm especially proud of or think my followers might find interesting, I'll include a link. I usually get a little spike in traffic, but I try to balance my own links with other resources.
- Tweetups. Admittedly, not everyone feels comfortable Tweeting about a physical location or event. But if you're going to a public event like a book reading or a blogging seminar, you might post a Tweet asking if your followers are going so you'll have a few familiar faces and let others know about events in your area.
- Leads to jobs or freelance gigs. In this economy, most people appreciate any leads they can get. If you see an interesting job or project that isn't right for you, why not spread the via Twitter? And if you happen to be job hunting, then there are tons of users who focus on job leads, including @JobAngels and @freelance_jobs.
What do you Tweet about? Anything I've missed?
Flickr photo courtesy of williamedia