The NYT columnist asked his readers for advice when he launched a Twitter feed a few weeks ago.
I cull some of the more useful responses:
From comments made at Kristof's nyt.com blog between Dec. 3 and 5:
As an avid user of Twitter, and someone who has helped C-SPAN (www.twitter.com/cspan) with their account, I would be happy to offer any thoughts or advise (contact info below).I also fancy myself a social scientist and find the concept of micro-communications a fascinating topic. It might, as you note, feel like you are clearing your throat at first… but there is a certain natural rhythm (and sociability) that you can get into on Twitter that melds email, IMing, blogging and text messaging (all of which are just the most modern iterations of our need to communicate with one another - a few of my thoughts on this are captured here http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=4601).
Happy tweeting and welcome to the Twitterverse…
~ Leslie
Leslie A. Bradshaw
Communications Manager
Public Affairs | New Media Strategies
P: (703) 253-0050 ext. 187
W: http://www.newmediastrategies.net
B: http://www.lesliebradshaw.com
T: http://www.twitter.com/leslieann44— Leslie Bradshaw
I am glad that someone from the NY Times wants to use Twitter to reach out to their readers. I agree with those who say that you need to be more personal. You can’t just drop news headlines on Twitter. I had been recommended, when I first went on, to ask for advice or questions and it will bring me more followers. I am a filmmaker who is trying to draw more attention to my work. By asking for advice from people I have been able to connect with people while learning a lot of important information that is helping me in promoting my film. I would suggest asking people questions just like when you interview people. Find great stories for your paper by connecting with people on Twitter and more people will follow. A lot of great stories out there are covered up by the “noise”.
-John W. Bosley
Filmmaker who created “Amnesia”— John W. BosleyJust remember that, if you find compressing yourself into 140 characters or less unsatisfying, it is perfectly OK in the Twitterverse to link out to your writings elsewhere.— ProgGrrlI would be delighted to see you on Twitter! I think you’ve seen some good pointers (the chief among them is “Don’t just be an advertwitter”). Don’t be afraid to interact. Most of the media who are on Twitter don’t connect with their followers much - it’s a one-way street. Be open to sharing a bit of YOU along with your columns.
I know. As if you have nothing at all to do! But I think you’ll enjoy it.
Jacqueline
(jcsimonds)
I’m happy to see a journalist use Twitter for more than just breaking news. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Rather than post a title and link to your column, I’d suggest a better, more kitchen table lead-in.
— Greg2. Make sure you respond to replies within Twitter. No one likes an advertwitter.
3. Post complete thoughts to Twitter, not just introductions to links.