If I Taught Twitter 101

In the last couple days several universities have said they will begin offering a Twitter class for communication students. (Like at DePaul.)Is this a 3 credit course?

That got me thinking… what have I learned from Twitter that I would teach in a class of eager-to-learn students?

• Sign-up. If you are dragging your feet, stop it.
• Post a pic.
• Customize your background. Don’t know how? Google it.
• Include your website/blog/LinkedIn profile on the Web portion of your profile.
• Make your bio short and witty.
• Include your e-mail in the bio.
  
• Consider your name a brand – market it.
• Don’t waste your first tweets on the mundane ‘I don’t know what to say’ tweets.
• Tweet useful/interesting things.
• If you want your followers to grow tweet key words.
• It’s not all about the number of followers you have, but rather their quality.
• Be selective in who you follow, more is not always better. Follow those who you can learn from, who you find interesting.
• Begin building relationships through replies.
• Use hash tags to make it easier for others to find your tweets on a particular topic.
• Join the various #chat groups. And participate.
• Tweet interesting articles by offering a link.
• Shorten links using Bit.ly or tinyurl.
• Add your twitter name to your automatic e-mail signature, your LinkedIn profile too.
• Glance at trending topics from time to time to know what the day’s topics of interest are, this could help you catch breaking stories.
• Keep at it.

#editorchat in Brief (5/13)

If you missed #editorchat last night or had to tune out - no worries. I culled some of the best tweets and have them below. Hope this helps.

LydiaBreakfast Q #1 Editors: Are you to trying to find new ways to generate more content, even with mandates to cut staff ?

JaneFriedman Q1. Rather than generate all-new content, big push to re-purpose existing content in different ways, in different media.

JMegonigal Q1- Absolutely. Do more with less. Lots of interns, lots of work for editor.

JMegonigal Q1- Necessary to give readers MORE and MORE to stay above the noise and keep from fading out like other pubs/papers...

deegospel q1: there is a need for more content, spesh content that can translate to digital in order to keep up

LydiaBreakfast Seems like we are going back to Dickensian serial publishing ;-)

rjreports Q1 As a freelance journo, I'm seeing that folks want A) more content for B) much less.

JMegonigal From an editor's POV, we are doing much more for far less, too...it's not just the writers. Goes all the way through.

shortformernie Q1: I think blog content should be repurposed in print, big time. Sometimes, good editing is a matter of knowing what to steal.

JJtweets Q1-As a freelance journo, I've seen rising demand for coverage 'depth' rather than 'breadth'. Spending more time researching now

shortformernie Q1: And being able to find content from blogs is killer – it's one of those work smarter not harder things you can do.

travelswithjenn as a writer, I'm also noticing I have more time on stories because editors are aggregating a lot more

LydiaBreakfast The fact is some pubs are doing well with fewer resources, does that mean we should always operate this way?

JaneFriedman It's frustrating to experience tight resources when you know superior content is key to pushing thru the noise.

@milehighfool You could argue that, in the age of the Web, SM skills are crucial for writing and reader engagement

retheauditors I've re-blogged w/update some posts. My audience is growing like crazy and most don't lok back to earlier posts.

LydiaBreakfast The Times is one of the few papers left to really invest in long form, I think there is room for both

milehighfool Right. The best blogs read like a good magazine -- quick hits mixed with strong features.

TimOBrienNYT we'll NEVER lose good storytelling. we just have to be judicious about when and how we deploy narrative.



LydiaBreakfast Let's move to Q2 Writers: Are editors asking you to produce more? What’s changed in your output routine?

KatPowers Q2 I don't think as an editor I'm asking for more. I think what I ask for is more focused and more targeted

littlebrownpen Q2. I'm being asked to write more, but the more popular request is to loop in social media contacts.

jennipps q2 So I got used to doing articles & then had to learn to find/take pictures that would go w/articles w/o violating copyright.

hotspringer Q2: Editors asking for same story in multiple formats. Next month, I write for print; rewrite for web; Tweet live from festival.

JMegonigal Q2 - I make my writers jump through hoops. 30 minute turnarounds and such. And they LOVE me for it. LOL

BeckyDMBR Favorite phrase of the day: "...sexing up my prostate cancer story." :)

LydiaBreakfast I have issues with that - remember my schtick about writers who work for a pittance are no better than piece workers

retheauditors Speak for yourself. :) Guilty re images @BeckyDMBR Many successful blogs couldn't do what they do without STEALING content

AuldHouse The joker says, "If you are good at something, never do it for free.

JMegonigal On 1 side (writer, journ advocate) I'm with you. On other (editor) if I can find cheap and good, I'm taking it.

LydiaBreakfast cheap and good does not make for a fair playing field

cursingeditor I'm all for training, but shouldn't journos interested in having a future be learning new media skills themselves?



LydiaBreakfast Let's go to Q3 Editors: What have you tried that’s worked in bridging the content divide?

luckychica seems so difficult these days 4 qualified journ 2 earn fair $$. Editors/pubs think we should b satisfied w/ "glory" of writing

KatPowers Q3 I have experts in my community who want to write what they know, instead of being interviewed. That's huge

deegospel q3: podcasting long form, supplying short with player, readers can listen to the article, read it later. my Editors love it

KatPowers I've had trouble with young ladies saying they don't "do video" or "do blogs" They're out of the biz

Dark_Faust Collaboration with other pubs/editors helps too. As long as not seen as competitive.

Dark_Faust As EiC, I make sure my editors write stories that can run in at least one other pub (print or online). Efficient coverage helps.

KatPowers No, I mean after 6 months of being passed over for assignments and promotions because they can't video, they left

JMegonigal Most of our interns have to be RE-introduced to SM as a tool/resource instead of a personal party album

SpecialDee Q3 I've conversed w/writers & bloggers via SM and so far one has been published in a Spec Sec ( @TobyDiva)

luckychica there are only a handful of OUTLETS that matter in terms of clips. Everyone else has to pay $.

SpecialDee Q3 Had a slew of freelance queries last fall. Important to know if they can conduct an interview.



LydiaBreakfast Q4: Writers (and Editors) Do you see the content divide as a threat or an opportunity?

jennipps q4 but also opportunity for same reason *and* I'm not grounded in any particular way of doing things, for the most part.

JMegonigal Q4 - If you see it as a threat, you're out sooner or later. Only those who see the opportunity will adapt, survive and thrive.

deegospel q4: an opportunity. a lemon situation for me 8 years ago is starting to taste like lemonade. i welcome the changes

anti9to5guide Q4: In some ways I hate changes to publishing biz, but as freelancers we've mastered flexibility & adapation...

LydiaBreakfast I agree with @milehighfool, I'm not competitive, just want to write well and tell the best story - quality always in style

DavidRozansky Q4: Since we will be moving to SM as our only line of finding quality authors, I would think SM is opportunity for writers.

JaneFriedman Editors/pubs/writers must work collaboratively to bridge divide. Be unconventional. Take Shatzkin's advice: http://bit.ly/SizBY

littlebrownpen Q4. A big challenge is connecting the right editors and writers.

SuburbNews Let's face it - would any outlet RATHER have back a bigger staff? Yes.But smaller makes you hungry, scrappy. Wish could have all

Single_Shot Just say no to PIE! Agreeeeed!!!

Online Identities Discussed on #editorchat

Tonight’s #editorchat talked a lot about online identities. Contributors talked about how we as writers reconcile different identities online, the importance of those identities in terms of marketing yourself and whether that identity interferes with your writing.

The general consensus was:
Yes - we should have online identities to connect with readers.
Yes - our digital lives take us away from the writing, but the benefits are worth the time away.
Yes - it is probably best to have those identities match with each other.

Oh and a new term was born... Procrastitweet. - Love It.

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the night:
(Warning: I did zone out a little for in between, so I'm sure to have missed tweets. American Idol took some of my attention. Sorry.)

@jennipps: Q1 - I used to have multiple IDs online, but a few years ago, I consolidated them all into JenNipps.

@edwardboches: as a blogger, social media enthusiast, pr practitioner and content creator, i have one. consistency, voice, reputation importnt

@jimmcbee: q1: Never gave it much thought till it came up here in your absence, Julia. I mainly try to be me, for good or ill.

@jennipps: I did at first. But now I feel like I have a more complete image of me and I don't have to remember what goes where

@mguerard: If you're tweeting to friends as well as tweeting for your job, it's a good idea to have separate identieies.

@wetzeledit: I thought about blogging anonymously to keep separate from professional life but figure it's too late and me is me anyway.

@edwardboches: you may act differently at party, office, town meeting, but you are the same person, yes? online no different.

@milehighfool: As an online writer myself, I'd argue a well-understood identity is critical. Draw 'em in fast.

@LydiaBreakfast: Q, I've had separate identities for my speaking and writing careers, and diff specialties.

@wetzeledit: My identity is the same but my expression of it is evolving.

@JuliaAngwin: Some academics call this the "unitary identity" that the Internet forces us into.

@wetzeledit: Seems like everything is converging to be online. So isn't some evolution inevitable as we all figure it out?

@jimmcbee: Objectivity is a goal at best; a lie at worst. Let's build a new altar to Honesty.

@elizabethbarr: I think if you're honest about who you are and your conflicts, objectivity isn't as important as transparency.

@wordful: Q5 it certainly gives us more control and reach over our potential to be heard

@milehighfool: Having an identity is a prerequisite to creating a community, which is essential both for writer and outlet, no?

@underoak: Q5 for #editorchat: Yes, digital life interferes with writing focus (as I procrastitweet). But it adds massive sources, links, connections.

@BeckyDMBR: Tons of ways to procrastinate. At least SM offers networking, swine flu updates, etc.

Join the Conversation

Writers: Seriously, get on Twitter. Today was #editorchat. Monday was #journchat. Last Friday was #queryday. Each of these events offer pearls of wisdom to the writing community. Whether you are working on your first book or writing for a business publication Twitter is the place to go to work on perfecting your craft.

The events have a moderator, who poses a question for the 'audience' to answer and discuss. It's an open and honest way to talk with others in your field. There is no self promotion or job seeking during the chat hours. Writers can introduce themselves at the beginning of the event and can throw a little pitch in when the convo has ended.

Today’s #editorchat talked primarily about social media and a writer’s online presence. @LydiaBreakfast and @milehighfool moderated.

What you should take away:

• Social Media is an effective way to further your brand and your publication’s name.

• If you aren’t utilizing SM, or if an editor thinks it is unimportant, you’re living in the stone age.

• Some editors are asking writers to utilize SM. Others aren’t interested in it at all.

• SM can be the way to establish your platform.

• Some writers said it was important to develop your niche platform through blogs and the like.

• Others said they didn’t write for a niche but for the people.

• HARO (http://helpareporter.com/) is the site to go to for when in need of fast sources - but you’ll land dozens of contacts immediately.

• Changing genres is difficult but not impossible.

• Personality can come across more in blogs, while more editors are looking for hard news and little personality.

To see the pearls of wisdom from #queryday check out my previous blog post.

You can find #editorchat online every Wednesday evening. #journchat is every Monday evening. #journ2journ if every Thursday night. #blogchat is on Sunday nights. #queryday (or #queryfail as it was initially called) is totally random so just wait for it.

#queryday in Their Own Words

I've followed this nearly all day. Crazy, I know. Anyway, here's a summary if you happened to tune out or have more important things to do.

rachellegardner: Tip: Don’t send us something outside of our guidelines and try to impress us with how “out of the box” you are. It’s been tried!

DaphneUn: You need to have a finished manuscript before you query.

danielliterary: Despite the advances made in self-publishing, the average self-published book still sells less than 200 copies

JoeBerkowitz: Don't describe your writing as accessible, unputdownable, or any other vague qualitative term. If it really is, we'll notice it.

KatPaws: Be careful re: protagonists with strange names. If the name isn't easy to grasp, the character may feel less accessible.

danielliterary: One huge mistake is to go on and on telling me how great your book is. Let me be the judge of that.

KatPaws: Don't tell me all the reasons you're positive your book will be the next bestseller. SHOW ME with fine-tuned quality writing.

LeighEllwood: For e-mail queries, use a professional font, no flowery script. And no backgrounds.

DaphneUn: In a query, I want a hook, but not the whole shebang, Save the final reveal (She's a He!) for the full synopsis.

rachellegardner: Tip: I prefer your query NOT tell me what a great movie your book would make. If it has movie potential, trust me, I’ll notice.

elanaroth: Smart cookie author/illustrator: did not attach art to email, but pointed me to link of her art online. Win.

ColleenLindsay: Attached entire manuscript and a head shot. Fail.

HollyridgePress: We always want to know something about a writer's publishing background

KatPaws: Target your submissions. Word count. Genre. These things MATTER. You can't play if you can't follow the rules. Fail.

rachellegardner: Biggest mistake? It's all about the book. The writing is usually not developed enough. Story not unique, compelling.

KatPaws: Don't query that you've written 11 books and wonder if I'm interested in reading them. Focus your efforts, query one at a time.

elanaroth: This query is 2 paragraphs about the virtues of fantasy and 1 paragraph about his book. Uh...

bostonbookgirl: I don't really care if you had an editor for the manuscript. No need to mention.

booksandcorsets: If we didn't think a writer was good, we wouldn't sign them. But we buy BOOKS not careers. Book by book.

rachellegardner: Keep looking for gainful employment. The query is most definitely NOT a good way to plan on paying your bills!

chriswebb: Never tell me "there is no competition for this book." Yes there is. Maybe it isn't a book...

bostonbookgirl: More important than anything: WRITE A GOOD BOOK. Good writing, good plot & good voice trump all.

moonrat: most important thing in your query letter is you (ur platform). 2nd is your 20-word hook. in that order.

moonrat: platform: 1)what uve published, 2) who u know, 3) ur expertise, 4) ur media experience

rachellegardner: My last word on 1 space vs. 2 spaces: Anyone who complains about this should be banned from computer, forced to use typewriter.

DaphneUn: A little advice: read your query out loud before sending it. Are you running out of breath? You're using run-on sentences.

angelajames: Why do we like manuscripts double spaced? Easier to read, room for notes, easier to read, room for making pre-edits,easier to read

LJHatton: You have to have confidence in your MS, but you have to be realistic, too. If it's broken, fix it or tenacity won't save you.

KnightofShadows: I would suggest 'Proper Manuscript Format' by William Shunn of the SFWA as req. reading. I like the 2 space paragraph.

KatPaws: Remain open-minded and be ready to revise. Even if your query is successful, you need to be open to changes every step of the way.

DaphneUn: A manuscript should be seen and reviewed by a critique group, and you can show the query to them, too! In all, at least 3. (regarding edits before query)

DaphneUn: I know we tell you to write what you know, but how many novels do we need about writers? Starting to be a cliche...

patricemichelle: Best advice I ever heard on "where to start your novel": Start your novel where the character conflict and plot conflict collide.

elanaroth: I wish everyone who queried did so from their own email addy, not their husband's or the family's collective acct.

ColleenLindsay: Yes, you really do need to put your phone number and address on e-mail queries. Honest.

What the heck is #queryday???

Aspiring authors are you following #queryday on twitter? If not, what are you doing with your day? In case you’re a little behind...

#queryday is when all us writer types get to ask the literary agents all about the dreaded query letter. Ask anything you want and you’ll get several answers from the agents participating. (You might have to tweet the same question a couple time since there are hundreds of tweets flying around now.)

The agents are also giving their words of wisdom. Some are snarky about fail queries. Some are sincere about what they do not want to see. Some offer links to well done queries.

Want to follow the conversation? Check out this site.

I think these agents deserve thanks. They are taking time out of their day of reading queries and pushing books to give all those aspiring writers out there a little help.

Who’s participating?
@rachellegardner
@DaphneUn
@danielliterary
@bostonbookgirl
@elanaroth
@ColleenLindsay
@skyladawn
@JoeBerkowitz
@JanetKGrant