Twitter Best Practices

A “River of News”

Starting with Twitter terms…

Note: Many terms are used as nouns and verbs!

Tweet: 140-character message

DM (Direct Message): Private tweets between

senders and recipients

Follow: Subscribing to tweets or updates

@: Symbol for usernames and links to Twitter

profile

# (Hashtag): Symbol for keywords/topics in a

tweet

#FF(Follow Friday): Hashtag used on Fridays to

recommend Twitter users worth following

Reply: Begin with @username makes tweet

visible to shared followers

Adding .@ extends visibility to the public

Mention: Includes link to a user’s profile, like

this: I enjoy tweets from @user.

RT(Retweet): Useful for spreading news and

sharing content

MT(Modified Tweet): Use when editing or

modifying a RT

ICYMI: In case you missed it

“Via”: another way to attribute content, e.g., “via

@NYTimes”

Lists: Public or private groupings of users

Trending: Keywords or hashtags that are most

popular in the moment

T1, T2, T3, etc.: First, second, third topic …

Trolls: Spammers, abusers, up to no good

SMH, IMO, IMHO, TY, LOL: Examples of

abbreviations used in Twitter (and texting)

Learn and follow Twitter etiquette!

Different RT Looks

For scheduling tweets, check out:www.bufferapp.com

https://tweetdeck.twitter.com/

Another option: www.hootsuite.com

The Hashtag

sign plus words, letters, numbers to:

categorize (tag) posts

connect and organize conversations

track campaigns and activity

make editorial commentary

Also used on Facebook, Instagram and other social networks.

http://www.symplur.com/healthcare:hashtags

Twitter-based chats:

Build community

Reveal market trends

Provide collegial support

Educate, support, inform

Ongoing or one-time

OngoingTweetchats to explore:

#hcsm (healthcare social media):

Sundays @9PM ET

#meded (medical education): Thursdays

@9PM ET

#HCLDR (healthcare leader): Tuesdays

@8PM ET

Discover more at: http://www.Symplur.com

http://tweetchat.com/

Other options: www.twubs.com and www.tchat.io

Best Practices

Set up personal/organizational

accounts properly from the get-go:

Use your real/legal name Use a headshot/logo for your avatar Carefully craft your bio Choose links strategically (e.g., to LinkedIn

account, website) Get and stay organized with lists

www.blog.bufferappl.com/twitter-lists

Best Practices

Experiment with personal account

For organization’s account, start with strategy and

tactics:

Audience(s)?

Goal(s)?

Does your audience use Twitter?

Who might serve as brand ambassador?

Mix content with conversation

Tweet images and video

Best Practices

Curate content – add viewpoint or commentary

Do not auto-link Twitter with other platforms

No automated responses or DMs

Keep posts to 120 characters (room for RTs)

Casual language, abbreviations OK but spelling

and grammar still matter

Don’t forget it’s public

Balance broadcast with engagement.

Best Practices

Don’t:

Overshare

Be a spoiler/troll

Ignore tone

Self-promote

Schedule but stay mindful

Add value: Does what you say improve upon

silence or the ongoing conversation?

Think before you tweet

Mayo Residency Tweetchat

Use this hashtag: #MCCSM

Log onto www.tweetchat.com

(recommended)

Introduce yourself with a tweet

Respond to this T1:What questions do you have about Twitter in general

or about using it in a healthcare setting? #MCCSM

Assignment

Follow at least 5 other #MCCSM chat

participants.

Reply to at least one tweet.

Mention at least one participant.

RT or MT at least one tweet.

Questions?