Twitter is made for people like us: a forum where communication must be clear, engaging and concise? GAME ON. But — whether out of indifference, fear or social media fatigue — many have yet to experience the wonder.
If you’re one of the uninitiated, give Twitter a go. The platform is rich with editors and writers who will keep you on top of the ever-faster-changing linguistic landscape. And, contrary to popular belief, you can control it. Make the most of your Twitter time by following these tips.
Give Tweets a little help
A brilliant Tweet alone is usually not enough to secure Twitter celebrity. To boost engagement, try some of these practices:
- Aim for 100 to 120 characters (without and with a link, respectively). (Twitter recently announced changes that will give you more breathing room.)
- Include an image — Tweets with photos enjoy 313% more engagement. Video also gives a bump.
- Know that there are best times of day to Tweet.
- Go full Guy Kawasaki if you dare — he shares the same post up to four times a day!
Use hashtag powers for good
Hashtags are fantastic for browsing or participating in slow chats, such as #amediting and #amwriting, and scheduled chats, such as #ACESchat, #EFAchat or #EditorsChat. Use them judiciously though. Hashtag #abuse is #annoying and #impedes #readability.
Be gracious
Twitter is greatest when you connect with and celebrate like-minded souls. Do that by being courteous and generous. Credit sources and writers using their @name. Not only is it a nice thing to do, your post enjoys greater visibility and engagement — that person may very well retweet or follow you.
Retweeting is one of the highest forms of Twitter flattery, so show some love by retweeting others. Just don’t fill your feed exclusively with retweets — people follow you to hear what you have to say. When someone mentions you, acknowledge them, either with a simple heart or an actual reply. Definitely don’t be a metweeter. And when people take the time to answer your question, thank them. Sadly, courtesy is scarce on Twitter. Your good manners will go far.
Find your people
Get started by following a few of my favourite word-people accounts. Once you follow accounts, Twitter suggests similar accounts. Also check out who others are Tweeting about. And if people have public lists, scan those for interesting leads.
People
@bgzimmer — linguist/lexicographer/word nerd, WSJ columnist
@BryanAGarner — author, Garner’s Modern American Usage
@CdnPressStyle — editor, Canadian Press Stylebook and Caps and Spelling
@EditorMark — freelance editor and patriarch of editors on Twitter
@Fritinancy — name developer, verbal brander
@GrammarGirl — if @EditorMark is the patriarch, Mignon is our matriarch
@johnemcintyre — editor, Baltimore Sun
@MaryNorrisTNY — copy editor, The New Yorker
@PeterSokolowski — lexicographer, Merriam-Webster
@PurplePenning — professional editor
@TheSlot — copy editor, The Washington Post, and author
@SubvCopyEd — editor, Chicago Manual of Style online Q&A, and author
Dictionaries and style guides
@APStylebook — Associated Press Stylebook
@APA_Style — Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
@AVcopydesk — A.V. Club Copy Desk
@CdnEnglish — Editing Canadian English
@ChicagoManual — Chicago Manual of Style
@consciousstyles — Conscious Style Guide
@copyeditors — American Copy Editors Society
@econstyleguide — The Economist Style Guide
@MerriamWebster — Merriam-Webster
@styleguide — BuzzFeed Style Guide
How about you? What accounts do you recommend? What works for you on Twitter?
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Previous post from Lori Burwash: Don’t Tick People Off, and Other Tips for Writing and Editing Web Copy.
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