Twitter-for-authorsI know I’m supposed to be on Twitter. But what am I supposed to tweet?
And why would anyone want to read what I tweet?

Before we address the value and use of Twitter for authors, a surgeon general’s warning: If you’re only using Twitter to broadcast your own message, you’re missing a whole wide world of interesting and fascinating content. We often advise it’s better to begin by re-tweeting to get a sense of all the great stuff that IS out there on Twitter.

True, it may take you a bit of time to learn what’s a flourishing plant and what’s just weeds, but after the learning curve our authors are consistently amazed by what they can find and how they can connect on Twitter (yes, even if we had to drag ’em in kicking and screaming).

So, once you can find tweets and retweet cool stuff, you’re ready to share some tweets of your own. According to the experts, two things count most when composing the perfect tweet:

  1. Will it compel folks to read it (and click on whatever link you include)? and
  2. Will it compel folks to share it (retweet)?

Here are some tried and true pointers to squeeze the most marketing juice out of your own tweets:

1. A Tweet is Like a Headline

Obviously, in 140 characters you’re not going to get the meet of your discussion. Most tweets are sharing/promoting something else  a– “read here for more” – so give them something to sink their teeth into. For example, “My new blog post at http://xyz.com…” isn’t going to inspire most to click. Rather, asking your readers a question or giving them a unique bit of info from within what you’re sharing is key.

2. Learn from Others

Check out the most popular Tweets on Twitter. Or, if you’re retweeting, look at what compels YOU to share with your own tribe. What makes a tweet “cool” or “interesting” or “relevant” or…?

3. Sell Content, Not “Stuff”

I’m seldom going to click on (or reshare) a tweet that says, “Buy my book at….” The rare exception is if the book itself has a compelling title and I’m being told I can get it for 99 cents today… i.e. “Every social media problem solved in 100 Quick Tips, free today only…”
 
But leading me to great content gets me involved with the writer, and if I like what he or she has written, AND I’m reminded to read more of what he/she has written at the end of the post, then I’m likely to click, read, buy, and read more!

4. Deliver on Your Promise

Okay, this should be a no-brainer, but apparently it’s not because I’ve visited plenty of lousy links. Don’t tell me you have the best-ever recipe for party appetizers and then bring me to a tutorial on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
 
Spin is one thing, outright bamboozling isn’t going to win you any fan loyalty or book sales. Same goes for retweeting. If you’re not sure the content you’re retweeting delivers, visit it first.
 
Ready to share your tweeting expertise with our tribe? Please give us YOUR best tips for composing great tweets! And do come tweet with us @WhereWritersWin.

 

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3 thoughts on “What is an Author Supposed to Tweet About?”

  • Deb Mangolt
    August 11, 2014 at 3:35 pm
    Permalink

    This is a good beginning….I’m wondering if, how and when to use hashtags, how often to tweet and should we send the same messages on Facebook, twitter, etc, etc. or do these different forms require different types of messages? Thanks!

  • Flora Morris Brown
    August 11, 2014 at 2:30 pm
    Permalink

    My aim is to point my followers to great content created by others more than pointing them to my products and services.

    Within the text of one of my posts, however, I like to occasionally label a noteworthy line as “click to tweet’ ,
    That makes it easy for the reader to share it if they are so inclined.

  • JoAnne Simson
    August 11, 2014 at 11:14 am
    Permalink

    Thanks! Great list of tips. I’ve had a hard time “getting into” twitter. Will try harder.

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