Sometimes wild obedience isn’t a dramatic “yes” or “no.” Sometimes it’s signing up for a social media platform you don’t understand, because some part of you knows that it can be used to build community, increase engagement, and – best of all – glorify God.
That’s how Twitter started for me. I signed up (March 5, 2009 according to Twitonomy) because I’m an early adopter and love all things new and shiny. I didn’t care that I didn’t understand it, couldn’t figure out why anyone would want to try to type in less than 140 characters. I’d been on Facebook for as long as it had been around – back when it was only for college students, and I knew that social media could be a great place to connect.
And then I did everything wrong. I actually followed all those celebrities that Twitter recommends. I had no idea what to post, who to follow, how to connect it to my blog, or how to make my voice heard in huge crowd. I’m pretty sure I thought it was ok to be an “egg” for longer than it’s actually socially acceptable.
That’s exactly the history of Twitter you thought you would hear from me, right? Somehow, by the grace of God and the humor of the internet, I have nearly 3,000 followers on a social media platform I used to hate. I spend more time on Twitter than any other channel (Instagram is inching closer), and it’s my absolute favorite way to connect, encourage, and share all of the awesome you can find on the interwebs.
Along the way, I’ve learned a few things about how to make the Twittersphere a little less intimidating, a little less cold, and a little more fun. Today I’m sharing a couple of those on the Declare Conference podcast (oh y’all. Even if you don’t care about Twitter tips, listen all the way to the end because Heather “might”…ahem…have included a blooper section. If I’m good for nothing else, you can count on me for a blooper. Or an inexplicably long discussion on cowboy boots.)
I’ll give you a sneak peek into the first tip: “Don’t Be An Egg” – yep. That’s right. If you are new to Twitter, your first avatar is a generic egg. Twitter. Tweets. Birds. Eggs. See – it all makes sense. Go change it to a photo of you. Not your cat, not your feet, not something with a bunch of teeny tiny words that no one can read anyway. A beautiful photo of YOU! It helps others know who they’re chatting with and makes you a lot less likely to be viewed as spam. Then head over to the Declare Conference podcast and listen for a few other tips – and if you’re going to Declare (yay! did you see that Cracker Barrel is a sponsor? I’ve died and gone to artery-clogging biscuit and gravy heaven) be sure to come hang out with me at my session on “Building Authentic Community” – I love talking about all of this & how we can be wildly obedient to God in it.
What are your Twitter questions? I’d love to answer them!
I loved listening to your podcast Crystal! There were great insights in there that helped me feel more re energized about finding my place back in social media. It’s funny, I felt comfortable many places, including Twitter, when they were first starting to gain popularity, but after taking a break and coming back to find my new adult place in the internet world I feel lost, intimidated, and overwhelmed. Also, with three different “niche” areas of the internet world, I find it hard to figure out the best way to be me online while still making it easy for audiences to find the specific information I share at those areas.
I digress, but thank you again for sharing your story! I love people who are willing to show how they got to where they are today. 🙂
I recently learned of the Declare Conference and listened to your podcast TWICE yesterday–because I need DOUBLE the help and insight! 🙂
So bummed I missed the cut-off for your lab. Will you be offering something similar in another venue? And I’m thinking maybe all of us commenters here can start our own twitter party–we won’t need a megaphone, can forgo all the crickets, & will have built-in friends already. 🙂 Thanks Crystal!
You’re in luck! A little birdie just told me they extended the Lab registration, but to hurry because there are only a few spots! Woot!!
Been on Twitter for less than a month. Lots to learn – but I’m out of the egg and tweeting. Still not on top of all the strategies and I’m trying to control my feed – I want my Twitter to be filled with Christian inspiration and devotional insights. No celebrities – gah! Learning as I go and knowing that’s just the way to do it.
Joy!
Kathy
Learning as you go is a great strategy 🙂 And you can always unfollow someone if you find out they’re just adding noise & not encouragement!
Ok, let me just say that after weeks of writing down notes for myself to listen to one of the Declare Conf podcasts I finally decided to do it while at work today and I am SO. GLAD. I. DID!
Thank you, Crystal, for your generosity in helping us grow. I have already been playing with Canva and I’m quite pleased with what I’m producing. Also, I took notes on your Twitter suggestions and I’m going to make a bigger effort to connect by sharing and being generous. Oh, ok – and those Twitter parties, as well. Just like Heather said – I, too, feel as though I’m shouting into a room with thousands of people and getting no response and, while I don’t necessarily feel scared, it does tend to be somewhat ineffective. Especially when I’ve had such a comfort level and much response on FB.
That said, I’m setting some goals before the conference. (Wish me luck)
Also, I appreciate your down to earth sense of humor. I decided to let my blog go public (as in outside my close circle of people) not quite a year ago and reading your posts, hearing these tips, being involved in the (in)courager community groups has literally aided in this “year of growth” for me. My confidence has never been better.
All in all, I just want to say how tremendously grateful I am that you share these wonderful talents and where God has brought you through the years. And I do hope I have an opportunity to meet you in person at DeclareConf.
Come up and tap me on the shoulder & make sure we meet, yeah? Because I’m introverted and awkward & horrible at recognizing anyone from their Twitter avatar 🙂 And keep adding your voice to the crowd – a lack of response doesn’t mean your words aren’t valuable!
I tend to learn as I go and start things without knowing all the facts, and Twitter was no exception. The first time someone responded to a tweet using my Twitter handle, I wasn’t sure how to answer back. As with most things, I figured it out. And I’d much rather see someone’s face than the generic egg, for sure. 🙂
Ha! I’m so glad I’m not the only one 😀
I can’t wait to listen to this podcast later today! I’ve had a long standing love-hate relationship with Twitter ever since it came out. I can’t count how many times I have started a profile and then deactivated it because I get so frustrated! Sometimes I feel like I’m just eavesdropping on other people’s conversations and I when I do get the nerve to engage with others, the crickets are LOUD. Those moments feel like Jr. High all over again.
It can definitely feel that way, right? Instead of jumping into established conversations, I try to start my own – and just like I would if I saw you in real life. I’d probably kick things off with “oh I love your shoes!” and go from there…so on Twitter it’s more like “I loved your blog post today – just what I needed to read!” and be ok that they might not respond. Or maybe they’ll just favorite it. Or maybe they’ll respond in a week 🙂 Either way, I poured out a little encouragement and made the interwebs a happier place for 140 characters!
Ugh. I am not a fan of twitter… I will give it another shot. Thanks for the tips! ☺️
You can do it! But if not? That’s ok 🙂 Like Heather said – find YOUR thing & become excellent at it – maybe for you it’s Pinterest, and then you can come back & teach me all the things!
Twitter is my least favorite platform by far. I have a hard time with the 140 characters. I’m too wordy, I suppose.
I find myself only hopping on there a few times a week. Mostly, because I need to organize my people into a few lists so I can SEE what they’re talking about instead of getting sucked into my main feed.
Instagram is my favorite, hands down.
Adore IG – wish it had clickable links though 🙂 And if you use a tool like IFTTT you can have your awesome IG posts go through automatically to Twitter –> WINNING without the extra work!