Twitter Tutorial Take 2
If you've been brave enough to venture onto Twitter a bit then you've heard about hashtags. But what are these strange things, and what are they for? A hashtag is a word of group of words with a # sign in front of it. It allows people who want to talk about a certain subject to follow each other on a self made chat. The words are always run together to make things shorter. For example, #amwriting is an on going chat that most writers participate in to follow along with who is writing on a daily basis. #writing is the same thing, just a little different. There is also #amreading, #amediting, #AskYAed, and the big one's #scribechat, #yalitchat, #thrillerchat, #scifichat, #litchat, the list is endless because you can make your own hashtags.
Now that you know what one is, how do you see people who you aren't following, and how do they see you? There are a few different apps out there but my favorite, the one with the least glitches, is TweetChat. Click on this link and type in whatever hashtag you want to follow at any given time. Everyone who uses the hashtag will show up on this page. It's a great way to network and meet new people, plus it's how all the chat's are done on Twitter. Start using it for the small, daily chats that go on to get used to it, then you'll be ready when the big one's occur!
Good points about Twitter, Heather. I LOVES me some Tweetchat --- it's the only way to really participate in a chat. Using the regular Twitter for chats can make you kind of batty.
ReplyDeleteI know, me too Karen! I look forward to my favorite chats every week. I tried using the regular Twitter page and wanted to pull my hair out. Tweetdeck gave me just as much trouble. You're right, Tweetchat is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteYay for Twitter! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Candyland!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial, Heather! Twitter is addicting. So is blogging. I must get off now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! Unfortunately, you're right, it is addictive! But I limit my time there so all is well!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I tried my first chat without TweetChat and I was SO lost--kept forgetting to type my hashtag, couldn't keep up, and all sorts of other confusions. TweetChat is definitely crucial for the bigger chats. :)
ReplyDeleteI always see your tweets (why does that make me feel like a stalker)? Ahem. Twitter is fun! Almost more than blogging. *gasp*
ReplyDeleteMe too Samantha! It was a horrible experience. Until I found Tweetchat I didn't want to take part in chats at all! It was too overwhelming. Tweetchat made all the difference.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks for stalk~uh following me! You crack me up. Tweeting more fun than blogging, hum, that's a tough race!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should give Twitter a chance...I'm just hesitant to start something that will take up even more time!
ReplyDeleteYou should Kari! It has been worth every moment of my time and I dare to say, I think it's worth more than most other social media sites out there put together! I've connected with more agents, authors, editors, writers, and book lovers there than anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteHey Heather! I'm now caught up on all your posts--lots of great info about creating characters and new blogs/twitter-ers to follow. I especially love your advice about pushing through that first draft without editing. I recently switched from revision mode back to draft writing mode and it took a painful few days to accept that the first draft always sucks but it's ok. THe important thing is to keep going. Your posts are a wonderful resource. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't taken the Twitter plunge! But it's good to know I can sneak back to these posts for a tutorial of sorts later!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lorel, how incredibly sweet! I'm glad you found them so helpful. *blushes*
ReplyDeleteI hope these posts make it easier for you once you do Lydia! Can't wait to see you there.
ReplyDeleteGood call on the #amreading hash tag Heather! I've been using the #amwriting hashtag a lot and while it's opened me up to a wonderful community of writers, obviously having a book out there, I want to connect with readers who might take an interest. I'll be sure to try out TweetChat too. I just hope they have a WinMo app.
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