by JadenAccording to Twitter, I opened my account in June, 2007. Back then, I had no idea what Twitter was, but all I knew was that I didn’t want anyone else to have a username “steamykitchen.” My blog was four months old back then, and when you googled “steamy kitchen” you got lots of ummm…interesting results back…that had nothing to do with the cooking food that you are actually going to eat.
But I do remember when I actually started using Twitter consistently. It was when I gave up on Plurk.
Want to know why I gave up on Plurk?
Enough said right?
Twitter became my social media platform of choice, and because I had decided I was going to treat Steamy Kitchen as a business, I began treating any social media tool as a communication and marketing tool. I know….some of you might not agree with this point, and that’s okay. You might be blogging as a hobby, and use tools like Twitter for keeping in touch with friends. That’s cool too. I’m just relaying how I use Twitter….and I’ll write more about why and how I decided to create Steamy Kitchen in another post, if you’re interested.
Twitter was a perfect platform for my style of communication (i.e. attention deficit tendancies.)
Short and sweet.
Not to mention all the wonderful friendships I’ve made and scores and scores of business opportunities that came my way because so-and-so had found me on Twitter. Now, with over 40,000 followers, Twitter has opened a new world for me. It’s become a major part of my social and business life.
I want to share with you some of the tools that I use regularly, and today I’m going to talk about Hootsuite The first question people always ask me is how do I manage to follow 40,000+ people on Twitter.
Let me take a step back first and explain why I would even want to follow that many people! I believe social media is two-way communication. There’s nothing social about yelling into a bullhorn and not listening back. I follow back almost each and every person that follows me. I think it’s courteous, respectful of my readers and followers and good business practice.
How I use Hootsuite
Hootsuite is my Twitter application. Instead of going to www.twitter.com to view my tweets, I use web based Hootsuite. They have a software application that you can download as well, but I find that the web-based version works just as well and I have it open as the very first tab in my browser.
This free service combines many different social networking interfaces, including Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and yes, Twitter. Instead of going to each individual social network site to check your messages and to post messages, Hootsuite allows you to do it all in one spot.
I happen to have a personal Facebook page, as well as a Steamy Kitchen fan page. I have a Twitter account for Steamy Kitchen and I also have a Twitter account for New Asian Cuisine.
So I type one message, then check which social network accounts I want my message to be sent through — – and in an instant they are all updated.
To manage the incoming tweets from 40,000 people that I follow, that’s easy. Twitter allows you to create lists, for example: friends, food bloggers, chefs, important people that I would love to get to know. I have three lists – and each list is its own column.
FRIENDS: This is my most important column, I have 89 people that have identified in my friends list @sharestrength, @simplyrecipes, @savorysweetlife, etc.
TAMPA: These are people on twitter that are in my hometown. I love to know what’s going on in my own backyard.
SMART PEOPLE: Citizens in this column are people like @GuyKawasaki, @chrisguillebeau, @ebertchicago, @marionnestle, etc. Intelligent, influential, thought provoking people who I want to pay attention to.
…oh and then are some people that really belong in 2 columns, like @mamster and @ruhlman - smart people who are also my friends.
Everyone else, i.e. the 39,892 other tweeple, falls into the last column.
How I organize my columns:
The far left column is the one that I pay the most attention to. This is my “MENTIONS” list, where I see tweets from people talking to me.
The next column is my “DIRECT MESSAGES” also important, but lately it’s been filled with so much spam that it’s sometimes hard to filter out the good stuff.
Then “FRIENDS” “TAMPA” “SMART PEOPLE” in that order.
The last column to the far right is the everyone else.
Most the time my attention is spent on the left side of the screen. About once an hour I glanced to see what my friends are chatting about, and a few times a day I glance over to the far right, just to keep tabs on what the rest of the world is talking about.
***
Hootsuite also has an iPhone app, though I found it to run kind of slow. I hope they hurry up and fix it.
That’s how I organize and manage Twitter so that it’s not a major time suckage. So, if you find yourself overwhelmed because you think you’re following to many people, instead of going through one by one and unfollowing your NOT-friends, and potentially hurting their feelings (“I can’t believe that dongleswiper unfollowed me! What a snoopyschnauser!”), it might be easier to use a tool like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to to manage lists instead.
As a fellow Twitter addict I enjoyed reading your experience with Twitter. I have tried to get into HootSuite and Tweetdeck to keep myself organized but if I’m gonna be honest… It’s TOO complicated! I get flustered. I think I’ve even had a couple panic attacks! I think that’s why I like twitter. It’s short, sweet, to the point and uncomplicated. Granted I don’t have 40K followers like yourself. Maybe if I did I’d be more inclined for HootSuite.
Do you think it’s important that food bloggers limit their twitter content to food related topics? I have lots of friends and followers who are not foodies, and I’m currently using my twitter account for more than just promotion of my blog. I’m starting to think I should focus my dialog to food to keep it relevant to my blog readers who are just foodies. Perhaps I should open a second twitter account that is for more personal dialog.
Are there any best practices we can reference on twitter dialogs and content?
Love love love this new resource.
No, I think Twitter is one of those forums that allow you to say whatever you want! People are interested in YOU and your point of view. It would be awfully boring if all we all talked about was food!
I think it’s fine as long as you are talking about food some of the time! I am a huge hockey fan so many times my Tweets pertain to a game or something like that, or something regional (I follow a lot of people in my hometown) but I don’t think anyone has a problem with that. I like that Twitter allows people to showcase their personalities, which has really allowed me to get to know many of my readers better than I ever could by just swapping comments on sites.
I’m a TweetDeck user and it definitely helps to stay organized and keep track of the Tweeters you love most. I still can’t fathom staying in touch with that many followers though! Daunting!
Jaden–I remember you sharing this info at BlogHer Food, and I thought it made perfect sense. However, I’ve tried Tweetdeck and HootSuite and immediately after signing up for each, my Twitter acct got hacked, so I went back to using Twitter on the web, which, of course, is not very manageable at all. Is it a bad coincidence that I got hacked after signing up for those?? Anyone else experienced that?
Thanks,
Shirley
I think it might be another source that has gotten your password. Look in your Twitter settings. See who you’ve given access to and change your password! Hootsuite and Tweetdeck are very very reputable and safe companies.
Shirley I think it was totally coincidence. I’ve used both Tweetdeck and HootSuite w/out getting hacked. I think it’s possible you clicked on a bad link once you signed up for them, or possibly signed up for other phishing applications unknowingly around the same time. I use Tweetdeck at home because I can have it open without the browser, and HootSuite when I work out of the home somewhere I can’t download Tweetdeck. Love them both, hope that helps!
Thanks very much to you both. I’m pretty hesitant on signing up/releasing my accts so to speak, but I’ll look again. I did change my password both times immediately which stopped the spam messages being sent out from my Twitter acct.
I should add that I really do like Twitter. I actually like it much more than Facebook. I know they are not the same, but some folks use FB and are hesitant to use Twitter. I feel that in those 140-character messages I get more valuable info and get to know people better. And, I don’t have to deal with Farmville, etc.
Thanks again!
Shirley
I had the same thing happened when I switched computers and had to start from scratch with my tweetdeck. I thought it was a coincidence, but it’s interesting that it happened to you too. Knock on wood, hasn’t happened again since!
I just started to use twitter and im confused abot all the following and replies. I guess I still have to get the hang of it. Its like starting facebook all over again. *sighs*
Roxanna–The best thing to do is just watch someone who is active on Twitter. You can see how they tweet as far as content, subject matter; use hashtags, etc. In no time at all, you’ll get it. Everybody feels that way at first. Many of us enjoy Twitter and find it much more valuable than FB. Feel free to follow me if you want.
I’m Shirleygfe on Twitter.
Shirley
Jaden, I totally agree with you about Twitter. It has changed my life (literally). About a year ago I decided to devote myself and my blog to food topics, specifically gluten-free baking. Through Twitter, I’ve met so many friends and colleagues and I have become involved in some terrific (and fun) career opportunities. I highly recommend Twitter to anyone who wants to get themselves and their blog out into the public eye!
thanks for the info … I’m drowning in tweets. I learn the most fascinating stuff on twitter but often feel overwhelmed, like I’m missing something good. it’s learn as you go i guess!
Just think of it as taking a little dip in the ocean. Enjoy your time that you spend in that little moment! ~jaden
I resisted Twitter for ages. I only really embraced it a month or two ago and it’s changed my life! Really, it’s got to be considered one of the most powerful online tools available.
As Darth would say, “Come to the Twitter side….” ~jaden
i have found twitter to much more useful for keeping in touch and communicating than say facebook.
i enjoy the short concise posts. i don’t often post food only related posts but i spend a good amount of my online time reading food blogs.
I use Tweetdeck very similarly (is there any advantage to Hootsuite?) and another feature I appreciate is being able to set up a column for terms I’m searching. I can keep track if anyone is chattering about my blog, or if people are answering a question I was interestd in, or chatting about an event. It doesn’t have to be hashtags, either.
Of course, as an Angeleno I have a separate column just for food trucks, so I know if there’s something yummy nearby for lunch.
Food trucks! ah of course!
I just like Hootsuite interface better. But both are similar.
~jaden
Those are actually very good tips, I never thought of separating people into lists…..I guess I just thought it was too much work!
Jaden as one of your twitter followers I didn’t expect to get a response when I tweeted to you because I noticed how many followers you had, I was amazed and quite grateful when you did respond. I am in the process of setting up my blog and the designer thinks I should be up and running next week. I would like to set up a separate FB page for my blog but am not sure how to do this. Any tips? I ran into trouble when I was setting up a family site and had to enter it as a page instead. I would really like to have a stand alone FB like you have with Steamy Kitchen.
Google “Setting up Facebook Fan Page” – it’s pretty easy and the directions are clear — even I could do it and I’m not a direction follower!
~jaden
I always wonder how you managed 40,000 plus tweets. Now I know. And yes I’m interested why and how you decided to create Steamy Kitchen. You are worth following.. I was never expecting you to follow back or even reply. I was completely wrong. And now I want to meet you in person. I can manage the tweets. I don’t think I need hoosuite.. maybe in the future, I guess.
I love using Tweetdeck on my iPhone. The ability to add columns and quickly see who is talking about you via the pop-ups is great.
The hardest part of Twitter is finding people you really care about to follow. It’s easy to just follow everyone, but if they are talking about things that do not interest you, then I don’t bother.
40k is a lot of followers, so I may change my opinion once I get that far
Keith Line
http://www.naturalfoodlist.com/twitter
I resisted joining Twitter for a while, but I found that since joining I’ve made a lot of great contacts with other food bloggers, local companies, etc. The hardest part now is not looking at it when I’m at my non-blogging day job.
I really appreciate your insight into managing (and embracing!) a Twitter following of 40K and growing. In fact, your approach is something that many of us should consider. First, it would help eliminate the feeling of being someone’s “groupie” because they don’t have a policy to follow back. I’m sure that deters a lot of newcomers and less well-known Twitterers from following bigger personalities and celebrities.
Second, it’s a helpful strategy for those of us who are actively growing our Twitter base as a tool for marketing to and communicating with new people Your organization of followers into lists makes it easy to have a “follow-back” policy without becoming overwhelmed by the sheer number of tweets coming in. It’s something I’m going to implement going forward.
Thanks again.
Best,
Casey
Thanks for the column, I arrange my Twiitter account in a similar fashion but with a smaller following. I’m happy knowing I’m not in the Gomer Pyle column.
I so enjoy following you on Twitter, Jaden. Of course, that’s how I found out about this great new resource Food Blog Forum! I need to work harder at the social networking aspects, though, because they are very difficult for shy folks like myself. I don’t say much on Twitter because of that lifelong shyness, but I’m trying hard to get over it.
Jaden – Great article. I don’t even remember Plurk – that was funny! I totally agree with using Twitter as a marketing tool for your blog. There are lots of people who dismiss Twitter and don’t understand it, but they should consider it. In the business world, no one dismisses the value of “networking”, yet thats exactly what Twitter is. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun! I love seeing what the heck Ruth Reichl is eating.
You should follow @ruthbourdain!!! HILARIOUS!
Jaden,
Thanks so much for explaining how you manage to do what you do on twitter. I only have about 1000 followers and maybe a bit more that I am following and though I’ve heard of tweetdeck and Hootsuite, I’ve never taken the time to figure out how they might be able to simplify my “twitter life”…I will definitely sign up for Hootsuite and and get my lists organized bec. I think Twitter can be so valuable, I’m just not really taking advantage because it has seemed so overwhelming!
I don’t have nearly as many followers, though I do manage two separate accounts through Tweetdeck. I move my columns around all the time, and make new ones to keep up with events etc. If I happen to catch an interesting tweet from someone, I will move them onto a column I watch more closely.
And I completely agree about following back nearly everyone – it is just a nice thing to do, and using some kind of Twitter-managing program, allows you to keep the tweets you see relevant, without seeming snobbish to the people who are interested in what you have to say.
As for keeping to just the info directly related to your blog, I think people are looking for people who interesting to follow – that means sending out little bits of what is going on with you, not just your blog posts. Where would my followers be without cutting edge info like the fact that my dog just rolled off the couch in his sleep?
Are going to be able to add our blogs/twitter/facebook info to our profiles soon? I would like to be able to easily find that info for everyone here.
My twitter following has grown to 600 and I started using HootSuite and need to make some lists. My biggest challenge is time management and building readership. I’ve been following you and @whiteonrice since I started blogging about food & cooking. Follow me back @shescookin! Signed up for the foodblogging seminar and I’m really looking forward to seeing and, hopefully, meeting you IRL and learning all kinds of useful info. There was such a need for a forum that is more than sharing recipes, thanks for all the work that you’ve done to launch this!
I am truly blown away by all the great info here! I think I’ll be signing up for Twitter. I didn’t think of it as a marketing tool. I have a feeling I’ll have a lot of questions but now I know where to go to ask them! This site is a truly GREAT idea. Hugs to the 4 of you!
Jaden, I was both impressed and flattered when you followed me back. For me as a Marcom (Marketing Communications) professional in real life, it spoke volumes as to how you feel about your “audience” and appreciate us. You made me a loyal fan for life by that follow back. Other food bloggers and other Tweeple should follow your example.
I’ve only been on Twitter for about 6 weeks and I am loving it. Initially, I used the Twitter stream and was easily overwhelmed. I’ve been using Tweetdeck for a couple of weeks and it’s changed my Twitter experience for the better. I’m still getting the hang of lists and columns, but it’s fairly intuitive. I have a blend of Marcom, pharma, healthcare, foodie, wine, & news folks that I follow, so it’s a mixed bag.
For those new to Twitter or who would like to learn more, you may want to peruse Mashable’s Twitter guide: http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/
And you may want to follow @Alyssa_Milano. She’s an uber Twitter user and often provides Twitter tips and suggestions. I learned a lot by following her.
Add me to the list of people who want to know why you started Steamy Kitchen (and I’m glad you did!).
Cheers!
Carol @cspod (yes, I follow back and send thank yous for following)
I just signed up or HooteSuite–more for my established blog Central Florida Top 5 rather than my new food blog–but I think I will really get into it! Thanks so much for the explanation and recommendation!
Thanks for this post, Jaden. I just signed up for HootSuite and will give it a shot. Sounds like it might be what I need.
I totally agree with the comments above that have mentioned twitter being a great way to open new doors. My first published recipe was in the Daily Yomiuri here in Tokyo and that happened because of Twitter, thanks to @glmark. The connections are endless and if you use Twitter the “right way” (which I am still figuring out) you can really reap the benefits. Jaden, I think you do a fabulous job of communicating with others. You’re a great example for all of us. Thanks!
I really like the way you use twitter, I do follow everyone back that follows me too, I do need to use an app to help, I did try one that I didn’t like. Twitter is so full of spam, I feel like I am talking to myself when I log on, even though I have nearly 6,000 followers.
This is so helpful!! Thanks!!
Jaden
You have made very good decisions. You have always taken the time to respond to tweets, allow some personalization and relationship to occur and I’ve always loved you for that. You acknowledge comments on your blog. I have at times wondered why I have never heard from a few bloggers that I had admired so much in the past. I’ve commented religiously on their sites, etc. and never, not once been acknowledged. I understand that when bloggers get 65 comments per post, they can’t respond to everyone. But once every six months, they could at least acknowledge loyal followers, and follow back on twitter. I de-subsubscribed to some good blogs because I felt like a fan that had nothing to offer back, and there are other bloggers I can “commune with”. There is a way to show a courtesy in the community. You do this better than anyone out there, which is why I have chosen to sell your book on Amazon on my site. You put in the effort, and are so approachable. This generosity and friendliness has very much influenced the way I want to approach blogging. And, it has made up for some of the not so friendly.
The more I read on this site/forum the more I like. Its like a found a pot of gold in information, tips and best practices! I love this recommendation. I don’t have over 40,000 twitter friends (someday soon) but I would like to know that I’m prepare with the best tools to keep them coming for more.
I love twitter! There, I said it. I hated on it for a while, but the more I use it the more I like it. I got overwhelmed but them created 6 lists to make it simple. I love feeling connected to anyone and everyone! How else could I talk to someone in Cali about how much we are both looking forward to seeing “Justified” and then ask Rick-freakin-Bayless how I should use up my goats milk?!
So if @erunuevo starts following you, relax. It’s just me!
Thank you for this fabulous post! Lately, I have felt overwhelmed logging into and checking everything- that’s when I just disappear for a bit. I’ve learned so much from you, Jaden. I truly appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog or tweet me back- to me, that’s just good people
Thank you for this helpful post! I have been thinking about setting up a new twitter account for my blog to increase readership, and now I feel even more encouraged to do so!
I was wondering, how did you go about starting with twitter, when your blog was young and you didn’t have so many followers? I understand how to use twitter, I just wondered how you went about marketing and spreading your name at the beginning.
Thanks again! FBF is great!
You said you follow back *almost* everyone. When do you decide not to follow back. I imagine you are getting quite a few follow requests each day (just a few days ago you were under 40k, now over 43k). Is this done automatically for you through settings in Hootsuite?
Tom
I’m new to Twitter – 2 months, so still getting it all sorted. Biggest thing I have to figure out is how to keep up to date on all of it and still have time for life….
Thanks for the tips.
I personally do not recommend the auto follow feature. You have to realize that twitter is filled with mostly bots. You want real people. I will not follow, or I will drop anyone who tweets about MLMs, making money online, stock investments, and a variety of other subjects. I would encourage you to be interactive, and validate that your followers are really people. They are going to retweet your tweets, and they are going to be your publicity army.
Just wanted to follow up…I signed up for Hootesuite based on your post and absolutely love it! I can manage my multiple blogs, tweets, and Facebook pages. Mucho gracias!
I would like to have 40,000 friends, how do i go about that first lol
I noticed Jaden mentioned having 2 twitter accounts. I just opened a second twitter account seconds ago with my url because I don’t want anyone to take that name. (I plan on switching my name from Gina’s WW Recipes to Skinny Taste as that is my url) Should I continue tweeting with ginaswwrecipes and leave the other blank? Not sure how to maintain two. Thoughts? Thanks!!
I really need to make lists. I have way too many friends. Not 40,000 obviously. But still enough that it gets overwhelming. Thanks for that tidbit!
Gina, I have the same dilemma. I have a personal account already that references my blog, but I’m on the fence about having two twitter accounts. My wife (@ReneeDeLuca) does a terrific job of mixing her personal and business lives on Twitter and Facebook but with all the talk about branding these days, I’m wondering if it’s really worth it to have separate accounts. Any opinions?
Great blurb, love the perspective on taking social media seriously as your brand. It makes me want to put more time into twitter, thanks for the tips!
I use Tweetdeck and like it — although it seems to interfere with other apps on my Mac when it’s up and running. Love that I can have groups and organize people. Still haven’t figured out how to do lists. Such a complete dork. I should check out HootSuite. Thanks Jaden!
i love the way you use twitter, and i agree, it’s respectful to follow those who follow you. hootsuite is a great tool but even with that, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. i don’t like feeling like i’m missing out on people’s tweets and other happenin’s.
Hmmm. Yes. I don’t have quite enough followers of yet to actually have to manage, but should that day arrive, why I shall use hootsuite tootsweet
This is so useful! Thank you so much!
This is great, because I haven’t fully engaged with Twitter yet, but I feel like it would help my blog immensely. It’s something I’m doing as a hobby that I would love to turn into a business. I never knew about HootSuite, so I can’t wait to check it out. It sounds much more manageable now!
http://munchtalk.blogspot.com/
This was such good info…I need to do this. Thank you Jaden.