Friday, August 31, 2012

Entering the Twittisphere

I ordered the bookmarks for If Hooks Could Kill today. It is always nerve wracking deciding what to put on the back and to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes. I read it over and over and over again. Got the proof from Arnold the printer, thank you again Linda for suggesting him, and gave him the go ahead.

There was one point I wasn’t sure about. So far I’ve only put my website on the back of the bookmarks, but this time as I was looking over the cover copy of If Hooks Could Kill, I noticed there was something that said Connect Online and then it listed my website, Killerhobbies, Facebook and Twitter. It was the Twitter listing I was concerned about. I opened a Twitter account a long time ago and floundered around once or twice with it, but was confused by it and never went back again.

But if I was going to leave that Twitter thing on the bookmark, I really needed to make peace with Twitter and use it. A few weeks ago, I picked up Twitter for Dummies. I looked at it right after I got home and for a Dummies book it was awfully confusing. I found myself reading the words, but not getting what they were saying.

I knew there was something with hashtags which I’ve always known as the pound sign, but nothing in the book explained how to use them. I abandoned the book the same way I’d abandoned Twitter.

But today as I gave the go ahead on the bookmarks with Twitter on the back, everything changed. Maybe it was because I was suddenly motivated, but I finally got the whole hashtag thing straightened out. If you’re on Twitter, you already understand and if you’re not, you don’t care, so I won’t try to explain it.

With new confidence I went to my Twitter account. I was so anxious to try it out, I rushed and sent out my first tweet using the dreaded hashtag. It was only after I sent it out that I realized my profile was never filled in. There was no picture - just what looks like an egg on a blue backdrop. I replaced that with the cover of Behind the Seams. Then I filled in the rest of it. Giddy with what I’d done, I sent out another tweet. I might have done something so my tweets go to Facebook. Then I looked for people to follow. I’m starting out slow and only added a few.

I still don’t get all the nuances of Twitter, but I get the basics now. How to send a tweet, how to respond to one, and how to use a hashtag to direct it. For now I am just doing it on my computer. I have to download an app to my BlackBerry.

But at least I feel honest about the listing on my bookmarks. Now to keep the conversation going.

How do you feel about Twitter?

10 comments:

Katreader said...

I thought about twitter-but decided against using it as I spend too much time on the computer anyway. I was playing a game on my iPad, however, and in order to reach a goal I needed to tweet something. So, I opened an account and earned my game goal. I never intended to use it again...unless another game challenge called for it. I even wrote a blog about not using it. But then I started writing a new blog-about cozy mysteries. I made the decision to use twitter to try to help promote it. Lorraine Bartlett helped by leading me to a blog post by Krista Davis which really helped me understand it better. I still don't completely get it-but it's a start!

Betty Hechtman said...

Katreader, my sentiments exactly. I still don't understand it completely either, but it's a start.

Linda O. Johnston said...

I do really like how Arnold the Printer does things, Betty, and I'm glad he's worked out for you, too. I've recommended him to others as well.

I definitely identify with you on Twitter, too--although you're way ahead of me. I haven't even started an account--partly because I'm so technologically challenged that I'm concerned about starting something else, and partly, like Katreader, I think I already spend too much time on the computer. Maybe someday...

Mollie Cox Bryan said...

I'm glad to know you're on Twitter. I love it. I'll look you up. I was just giving another writer friend a private Twitter tutorial. It's such an important and powerful tool. It's more important, I think, when you first start Twitter to watch and listen. Then jump in when you have something to say. You can find others interested in the same stuff as you by using the search tool. Good luck!

Betty Hechtman said...

Linda, I feel that way too about not wanting to spend too much time on the computer. One thing that's made a difference for me is I bought a netbook a year ago and I leave it on the kitchen table. It seems like less of a commitment to check emails and such on it.

Betty Hechtman said...

Molly, I'm glad to hear you are a Twitter expert. I may be asking you some questions. Right now I am still at the level of not even realizing what I don't know.

Dru said...

The only bad thing about Twitter is you have to constantly monitor it throughout the day and if you're like me, it's hard to do when you are at work.

Unknown said...

I love twitter. I use it way more when I am out and about. I habe 2 blogs and Facebook connected to it. I use it to post pics as well.

Betty Hechtman said...

Dru, I am just beginning to get that you need to keep up with Twitter throughout the day. I think when I get it on my phone it will be easier.

Betty Hechtman said...

Cora, I see how Twitter would be good when you are out and about. Now I understand why everyone is staring at their phone all the time.