Twitter is a unique two-way communication Social Network. @ replies and mentions add great value to the conversations on Twitter.
Now you want to start tap into the power of utilizing the two-way communications options Twitter allows you to use.
@1 The difference between @ replies and mentions
@ replies is when you reply directly to a tweet from one of your friends or followers. You can also reply to users that you don’t follow. On Twitter this is put in place when you click on the arrow (reply to @username). This @username will then appear first in the @ reply you send out. The new tweet (your reply) will now have a link under it saying “in reply to @username”. This is helpful both for yourself, your friends and followers and also the user you replied to. This way all of you can check which tweet you actually replied to.
Mentions is when you put a @username in your tweet.
“Hi @username, how can I help you today?”
#followfriday is when you send mentions to a group of your friends of followers;
#followfriday I endorse @username1, @username2, @username3
This tweet will go directly to the @ replies and mentions box of the username I have mentioned, plus to all my friends and followers.
You can also send @ replies and mentions to people in the Twitter community that don’t follow you.
Of course with these kind of powerful option with @ replies and mentions it is a chance for abusing this.
@2 Some simple @ replies rules
Don’t use @ replies and mentions to spam people
If you send me tweets like @username “please check out this link” – this will usually turn me off. And I will then check more of your tweets out and see if this is a pattern, if so I will unfollow and block you. Note: @ replies and mentions from people that are blocked will NOT show up in your timeline. So if someone spams you then;
a) report them to the Twitter @spam team
b) unfollow them
c) block them
@3 Make @ replies and mentions beneficial for all your followers
Remember that when you use @ replies and mentions it not only goes to the user you directed the @ replies and mentions too, but to all of your followers. Therefore put some thoughts into it, and make sure that everyone in some way can understand it.
@4 Follow up on @ replies and mentions
If someone sends @ replies or mentions, make sure you send them Thank You note in an @ replies or mentions. If they have a question, comment or provided some information that you can benefit from make sure to follow up. And give qualified feedback to the @ replies or mentions.
@5 What are @ replies and mentions?
What are @replies and mentions?
How to change your reply settings
Twitter Replies Morph Into “Mentions”
How to Use @Reply in Twitter Messages
How not to miss any Twitter replies @Your_Username
@6 @ replies and mentions tools
Tweet Replies – Get notified when someone @replies you!
Twickie – It’s the Easiest Way to Archive a Twitter Response Thread!
@7 Send your @ replies and mentions to an RSS reader
Start with going to Twitter Search
Type in you Twitter @username (remember to put the @ in front of username)and then click on search.
Click on link on right side that says Feed for this query
And select the RSS service you want to use for this feed. I use Google Reader as my preferred RSS service. If you have setup iGoogle, then you can also add your RSS feed to iGoogle.
You will now receive replies and mentions into your RSS feed service.
@8 @ replies and mentions Tip
Check out how your Twitter influence is per date:
@replies and mentions effects your Twitter influence. But as said be cautious so you don’t spam.
@9 Track you @ replies and mentions
TweetLater allow you to manage and track keywords. I use my Twitter username as a keyword. This way I get sent emails when someone send me and @ reply or mention my username in their tweet.
Use your imagination and creativity. We all can do better making Twitter a place where everyone feels welcome.
NOTE: When using @ replies and mentions always have in my mind “How Can I Help You?”
Tweet you later,
Are Morch
TwtrCoach
