Assignment 5, Bootcamp #6 - Twitter Marketing, Part 2

[iCraft Admin]

Sorry for posting this assignment now, instead of Monday.
We had Canada Day long weekend here, so you've all got a bit of a break as well.  

Back to Twitter Marketing this week. Advanced Twitter Marketing is usually focused on advanced replacement, tying social media accounts together, lists, statistics, use of third-party tools and automation.

Even if we had a full week to play with more advanced features, there is still not enough time to cover everything. So I am going to focus only on a few things that I think are very useful for a busy store owner. The rest you can explore on your own using resources provided at the end of this post or simply by googgling a specific Twitter-related topic.

As always, please share what you've learned this week with the group.
We want you to learn from each other, as much as you learn from us.

The Assignment:

• As I mentioned before, if you want to see real results using Twitter, you need to scale your presence there beyond a few hundred followers, hopefully to a few thousands. So how is that done? Its done with a creation of multiple accounts, some automation and third party tools for monitoring Twitter activity.
  
  So first, let's see if you could create at least one more Twitter account that would be related to your business, where you could still promote your products, in addition to posting related content.
  
  Here is an example:
  If you sell greeting cards, you could have 1 account where you focus on your cards, the craft of card-making, promoting new products and sales. Another account could be for Inspirational quotes where you also post your Inspirational Cards with a link to product page. Different focus attracts different audiences, yet you are still reaching out to your potential customers, those that you probably wouldn't have reached otherwise.
  
  
• As you know, we offer free Twitter feed to automate your posts to Twitter.
  If you haven't try it yet, please try to setup at least 1 Twitter feed this week. Here is URL: https://icraftgifts.com/member_social_feed_detail.php
  
  Our feed is quite powerful advanced Twitter tool as it allows people to setup multiple feeds to same or to different Twitter accounts, choose frequency of updates etc.
  
  It also allows you to use any of our product category, replacement results page, a store/store collection URL or even blog category to setup a feed. This means you can post additional interesting content to your new Twitter accounts, that's related to your niche, so you don't end up with multiple Twitter accounts that have exactly same content.
  
  When you use automated tools like our feed, you should remember to post manually once in a while as well, so Twitter won't block your account. There are way too many fully automated accounts on Twitter, so they are constantly fighting that. Just be careful, test automation out with a few new accounts that you are not afraid to lose, until you find a perfect balance between automated and manual tweets.
   
  There are also some automated tools out there for acquiring new followers faster, but I won't recommend those, as that's a sure way to get your account suspended.
  
  
• As you start following more people on Twitter, you'll notice it becomes harder to follow conversations there, especially from the people that you want to hear from. For that reason, Twitter introduced Lists. It's a way to organize your followers Into Conversation Lists.
  A Twitter list allows you to separate the Twitter accounts you follow into groups.
  
  You could create lists for Customers, Potential customers, professional organizations, People who inspire you, People you talk with the most etc.
  
  Another good way to use lists is to promote other people from the same group or your other accounts through those lists. Many followers will not only follow you, but also many people in your list or subscribe to see updates in your list, if they find you relevant or interesting.
  
  Also, people that you add to your lists, may return the favor and add you to their list too, which means people who are checking them out, might also check you out.
  
  You can organize your lists in any way that helps you. You can create one or many lists. You can also make your lists public or private.
  
  So this week, create a few lists and make sure you add your fellow Bootcampers in them. Let us know what lists you've created and why.
  
  

Resources:

•   12 Advanced Twitter Techniques to Grow Your Small Business : http://succeedasyourownboss.com/08/2012/12-advanced-twitter-techniques-to-grow-your-small-business/
•   Advanced Twitter Marketing Techniques : http://www.flyingmanproductions.com/blog/social-media/advanced-twitter-marketing-techniques
•   13 Free Social Media Tools to Boost Productivity: http://www.flyingmanproductions.com/blog/social-media/13-free-social-media-tools-to-boost-productivity
•   The Twitter Strategy Guide: 14 Twitter Tips to Take Your Tweeting to the Next Level: http://blog.bufferapp.com/advanced-twitter-tips
•   How To Power Up Your Twitter Search Techniques: http://www.twitterpowersystem.com/blog/how-to-power-up-your-twitter-replacement-techniques/
•   5 Ways to Use Twitter to Connect With Local Customers: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/5-ways-to-use-twitter-to-connect-with-local-customers/
•   How to Tie Your Social Media Accounts Together: http://www.pcworld.com/article/246950/how_to_tie_your_social_media_accounts_together.html
•   Check your own Twitter Stats for Free!: http://twittercounter.com/
•   Four Useful Twitter Automation Tools and How to Use Them: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/4-useful-twitter-automation-tools-and-how-to-use-them/

Twitter Help Center

•   Using Twitter lists: https://support.twitter.com/groups/51-me/topics/208-lists/articles/76460-using-twitter-lists
•   Customizing your Twitter page design: https://support.twitter.com/groups/51-me/topics/206-profile-settings/articles/15357-customizing-your-design
•   Using advanced replacement: https://support.twitter.com/groups/53-discover/topics/215-replacement/articles/71577-using-advanced-replacement
•   Using hashtags on Twitter: https://support.twitter.com/groups/53-discover/topics/216-trends/articles/49309-using-hashtags-on-twitter
•   Managing your Twitter accounts with TweetDeck: https://support.twitter.com/groups/54-mobile-apps/topics/226-tweetdeck/articles/20169620-getting-started-with-tweetdeck

Twitter for Business

•   Promotional Tactics: https://business.twitter.com/promotional-tactics
•   Web Marketing Tools: https://business.twitter.com/web-marketing-tools
•   Targeting on Twitter: https://business.twitter.com/targeting
•   Measurement & Analytics: https://business.twitter.com/measurement-analytics
•   Twitter-approved third-party tools: https://business.twitter.com/partners/list/certified-products
•   Twitter-approved third-party marketing platforms: https://business.twitter.com/partners/list/marketing-platform-partners

YouTube

•   How to create a Twitter content strategy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgM3wXbuOgw&feature=youtu.be
•   Twitter Marketing - Using the Advanced Search Option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-bnx2-1NKU

[Jewelry Made With Love]

Sorry I haven't been on the last 2 days. We had a huge storm go through and it knocked a tree down on part of our house plus we lost phone and internet access also until around 9 this morning.   I will do my best to make up from the non access time.

[iCraft Admin]

Thanks for letting us know, Jewelry Made With Love! Hope you are doing ok. Please try to catch up whenever you can.

[Lannie]

Great Canada Day around here in Toronto. Nice and hot. Lots of family time.     

Found an interesting site dated January 29, 2013: Twitter Generates Leads 9 Times More Than Facebook And LinkedIn, in particular the video  How To Use Social Media To Make Sales

I can see how the networks could be useful too, for connections, industry news, suppliers, etc.

[Hofkissed]

OK, I'm going to give this list thing a try! This new info might take me a while to wrap my head around it. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time understanding how Twitter works. ha.

Anyway, I wouldn't say I was very active on Twitter last week, but I was more active than previously (thanks to this Bootcamp!) and I gained about 10 new followers. I know it's a very small feat, but every time I got a "ding" to let me know I had a new follower, it brought a smile to my face and inspired me to keep at it! I'll keep you all posted...

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Hofkissed,

10 is better than nothing and this is just a beginning for you. 
Please ask if there is something specific that you are having difficulty with. This week is dedicated to advanced Twitter Marketing, so its your chance to practice and learn as much as possible.

[Lannie]

Ha! Hofkissed, I know exactly what you mean! Why is Twitter so hard to get the hang of?

It's dawning on me that the more time I put into Twitter, the more I'll come to understand its navigation and language. Even a little bit of time every day is bound to help. And for me it's also important to keep the focus in mind - that tipping point of numbers that will result in sales. I'd like to think the connections have to be quality sources and relevant.

[Lannie]

I've just set up an additional gmail account so I can set up a new Twitter account.  Will now try to set up the new Twitter account using the new gmail account. Will let you know how it goes.

[Lannie]

Okay, my new Twitter account is iCraftKnitting @KnitResources. It will be all about the kinds of resources helpful to knitters: patterns, wool, etc. etc. I'm following @JewelryMadeWLov, @NoriandChases, @Hofkissed, Ravelry, Vogue, and more to come. Please follow me!

Also, for my own sanity, I made a list of my accounts in Twitter and Pinterest, along with the emails they're associated with and my password. It's become mind-boggling already!  How are you guys doing?

[Lannie]

Hello, all!

Have saved and activated the social feed to @iCraftKnitting on Twitter. The feed is from https://icraftgifts.com/k/knitting/. Is this a page that is updated automatically from across the site?

Please let me know more about how the social feed app works, or where I can learn more about it. Thanks!

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Lannie,

Thanks for the updates! 
Yes, https://icraftgifts.com/k/knitting, as any other replacement results page, is updated automatically from across the site.

You can find more info about our Social Feeds under "Promotional Tools" on this page https://icraftgifts.com/help/sellers.

Make sure you add Avatar to your new Twitter account - people don't like following eggs (default, no image accounts).

How's everyone else doing?

[Jewelry Made With Love]

We spent the weekend (Fri - Sun) at my folks. Their internet is spotty at best. I will be making up everything this week.  Just wanted to update you on how I am doing    The claims adjuster will be here on Thurs. to look at the damage on the house from the tree that fell on us.  I'll update as I can.

[Lannie]

Have struggled with lists on Twitter (http://twitter.com/KnitResources). Turns out if you want a private list, you have to enter all the people first, then mark it private. Otherwise it won't take. Now I have two lists, one public for Bootcamp #6 and one private for, well, it's private. 

Also have changed from an egg to a cute little baby hat from The Knitting Lady.

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Lannie,

I don't have this issue with private lists on Twitter. You should be able to create empty list, mark it private and then start adding people to it. I am actually not quite sure how do you do it the other way - how do you add people to a list that doesn't exist yet? Did anyone else have issues with lists?

[Lannie]

Hi Admin,
I meant that I had to start the list as a public list, add people, then make it private. Hmmmm. It's quite possible I was mixed up as to the order of the steps, I know it felt like I had to try a lot of ways before it worked. I'll try another private list and report on how it goes. I like lists. Content coming in on Twitter needs to be organized and focused - I only have relatively few followers and already there's way too much information sitting there, for me at least.

[iCraft Admin]

Lannie, try creating private list first and then adding people to it. Should work!

Everyone, I am not going to post any more assignments.
Please try to complete remaining tasks & ask any questions about Twitter marketing you might have this week. Thanks!

[Lannie]

Hi Admin, you were right - I just now created a private list on Twitter and then added the names. Sorry if I confused things - I was pretty confused myself!

Thank you for the sessions on Pinterest and Twitter. I learned alot!

[Hofkissed]

Hi Admin & Bootcampers,

Sorry for being MIA and sorry if this caused the Bootcamp to fail. My daughter got sick and my son was teething and then got sick... and now I'm feeling sick too. So, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to check in or work on this last assignment. I will try over the weekend to catch up.

How long do we have to ask questions before the Bootcamp closes?

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Hofkissed,

Hope you and your kids will get better soon. Things happen. What can you do? 
I am going to extend questioning period for this Bootcamp for 1 more week. Please try to implement a few things from the missed assignments and do some reading if you can. Thanks!

[Jewelry Made With Love]

I am also still trying to catch up.   Last weekend being at my mom and dad's and then being super busy here at home.  Next week seems to be slow so I should be able to catch up with no problem.

[Jewelry Made With Love]

I'm going to have to bow out at this time. I'm just not able to keep up. For some reason if I take the pain medication I'm a little out of it, and  if I don't take any the pain gets to me and I want to sleep.

I'm so sorry as I really need this to get something to sell, even just one thing and I'm be happy.

Thanks for understanding

Cindy

[Lannie]

Hi Cindy,

Please don't worry about anything. It's summer and we're all pretty busy. Plus what a good time to slow down!  Hope you're feeling a lot better soon.

How about we explore Twitter, Pinterest and maybe even FaceBook on our own this summer, when we have time. We can ask questions of everyone on the Forum, and access the experience and insight out there.

To make it easy to find the replies, let's use "Share an Update or Ask a Question", at the top of the Main Community page when you are logged in to iCraft. Use the Title "Social Media 101".

What do you say, Hofkissed and Admin? Unique Bundle, please join in too. Let's give it a try, no pressure.

cheers,

Lannie

[Jewelry Made With Love]

Thank you   I will definitly look into it.  With my knee replacement and meds and, and, and   It has been a very very busy last 2 months.  Now that I get start moving around better I have to weed a huge area flower and veggies and because I haven't been able to weed so now it has more weeds than flowers.

Thank you for the great idea.

[iCraft Admin]

Bootcamp is over now, but you guys can always continue on your own and welcome to ask any questions on forum. Thanks for participating!