5 Reasons Why All Copywriters Should Use Twitter
Twitter -- A Must Have Tool For Copywriters
When I first started using Twitter, I seen it as nothing more than a good place to visit with complete strangers. Boy was I wrong! In fact, I’m a firm believer that Twitter should be a requirement for writers regardless of whether you are new to writing or are a world-renowned author.
#1- Writing Techniques
Good writers understand the importance of concise writing, but it isn’t something that you will pick up easily without training and practice. If you want practice, attempt to carry on an intelligent conversation in bits of 140 characters or less.
It isn’t as easy as it sounds at first. When you find that easy, try several at once. This doesn’t always work (particularly when you have a great idea!), but you will certainly notice a difference in your work.
#2- Networking
Unless you snagged a steady job that pays you an amazing amount of money, you need to stay in the public eye. Look for designers, other writers, business owners, and any others that may supply you with potential work. I personally don’t think pushing your work on potentially leads is a good policy on Twitter. It may even get your account suspended for spamming. Instead, build relationships with them.
Take time to get to know them and their business. These relationships will put your name in the front of their minds when they do need a writer. When they ask, you will already have an in-depth look at their brand. You can produce far better content for them at this point because you know them better than your competition!
#3- Education And Information
As I have stated previously in the post entitled ‘5 Things I Learned With The First $5000,’ copywriters need to learn several different concepts in order to be successful online. Who better to learn it from than the gurus who are setting the standards! If you write blog posts, follow people who know about the ins and outs of how to blog profitably. The same holds true for SEO, marketing, and any topic you can think of. You can even use them to help get over your writer’s block.
#4- Connecting With Other Copywriters
Every writer does things differently and has different connections. When you connect to them, you get to learn what they’re up to and how they work. You will find that you are constantly learning new skills or discover a new way of doing things. It could even lead you to future partnerships that could make you crazy rich (well ok, maybe not crazy rich, but you should at least think big!)
Connecting with copywriters on Twitter increases your accessibility to industry news as it happens. It could be a jump on a new lead for future work, breaking information on the latest writing resources, or learning how to deal with certain situations.
#5- Friendship And Support
I never really thought about Twitter as an extension of my real life until the last few weeks. Sure, Twitter is an excellent way to waste time and alleviate the loneliness of being a WAHM, but it truly develops into much more than that.
On the Ittybiz blog, Naomi discovered a woman who was in dire need of some help. She blogged about it, but it hit Twitter and it made others aware of the situation. I was shocked to discover how many people actually showed up to help.
What really convinced me of the value in Twitterpeep friendship was when Remarkablogger decided he would test his will and that of his Jeep against a rock wall. He showed he had gumption and survived, but his four-wheeled buddy died instantly. It didn’t take long for his friends to rally together and help him out with donations to his car fund.
I have no idea how much he received, and I don’t want to know. The fact that it actually happens says a lot. Seriously! How many times have you noticed someone in need and walked away? How many times have you heard about scammers using this same sort of tactic? (not the rock wall, but the donations…) It means he has built a solid trust that some married couples are incapable of in today’s society. That, my friends, is priceless.
When I consider this list of benefits of Twitter for copywriters, I don’t know how I would get along without it. If nothing else, it’s a perfectly acceptable way to stalk others when I can’t focus.
Twitter has other benefits haven’t been mentioned here, but I’ll leave them up to you to add on. If you would like to connect with me on Twitter, you can find me at @AngsCopywriting
Happy Tweets!
December 11, 2008 at 6:44 am | For the Writer | 6 comments
Great post and advice, Angie.
I heard about Twitter months before I actually took the plunge. I signed up but did nothing with my account. When I read about travel-writing tweeps on Travelwriters.com, however, that’s when I got busy. I followed everyone who was listed and they started following me.
It’s been about 4 months, and I feel connected to freelance writers all over the US and world whom I may never meet. They’ve been gracious to blog about me and post my children’s books on their holiday gift lists. I’m not sure what I’ve done for them, but I hope they feel I’ve returned the favor.
I highly, highly, highly recommend Twitter for freelance writers. At first you’ll stare at the blank screen and say, “I don’t get it.” Believe me, we all did that. But hang in there and you’ll suddenly be tweeting with other writers all over the world. You’ll find new sources, new ideas, new markets, and new encouragement when the 4,000th reject letter comes in the mail.
Twitter is amazing. I look forward to meeting you there!
Diana Scimone
Peapod Publishing, Inc.
http://www.peapodpublishing.com
http://www.adventureswithpawpaw.com
Born to Fly International, Inc.
http://www.born2fly.org
http://www.dianascimone.com
Twitter: @DianaScimone
Hello Diana,
It is a pleasure to meet you!
I also found Twitter to be quite intimidating when I first started using it. I felt kind of like an idiot because I had no friends on it and felt stupid just starting to follow people I never met. Once I made the conscious effort to start using regardless, everything came very quickly. In fact, I found my site designer through that system and many people that I enjoy talking to on a regular basis.
I have even managed to get family and friends addicted to it, so it is like my whole world accessible in the same place.
Thanks! I will connect with you ASAP!
something we all know, but need to retweet: http://tinyurl.com/6ry8fm
RT @andyjehn : http://tinyurl.com/6ry8fm This is a great post for writers you know who are reluctant to Twitter.
[...] you fellow writers out there, here’s a post on why all freelance writers should use Twitter. (Are you following me on Twitter?? If you ever want me to re-tweet something, or announce [...]
@DPCrandall Me too. I actually wrote a post about how freelance writers can use Twitter and why they should
http://is.gd/f5ft