There are still a few places left on our Twitter Ninja Workshop. This is a fast-paced, practical Workshop by me for Twitter account holders who want to:

• make Twitter count in just 10 minutes a day
• increase Twitter followers and engage with them
• attract and improve retweets and click-throughs
• maximise Twitter effectiveness through online tools and techniques

The cost is just £25.00 per person. For more information and to book please click here.

 

Why is there such inconsistency in the use of email addresses across social media websites?

In my line of work I connect with internet users across many platforms and social media websites.  It surprises me to see how many times someone linked with Twitter, for example, has a different email address from their LinkedIn or Facebook account.  Inexplicably, some social network users even have a specific address for each service.  If you are guilty of this inconsistency then take heed, it is costing you followers.  Let me explain why.

Many social media websites have a “Find Friends” service.  This often works by connecting to your own address book and linking your email contacts with accounts on the social media website. You will have noticed this facility when signing up to a social media network.  Usually you are first asked “Do you want us to search your address book for users?” before being directed to the “Find Friends” service.

So take advantage of this facility, but use the same address across social networks.  In this way it will be easier for users of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, etc., to find, follow, and make a connection with you when they in turn use the “Find Friends” service.

The advantage in address consistency applies equally to branding. If you have, for example, a brand name on Twitter, you will benefit by using it not just for general communications but order confirmations.  The likelihood is that your customers will save your details in their address book.  When they subsequently search for connections, your brand will then appear.

If you are a company employee and recognised mainly by your business email address, the same principles in consistency apply. Should you later change employers, update your email address on social network sites.

One last piece of advice.  Whenever you sign up to social media networks ensure you select any options (such as the Twitter setting) of “Allow contacts to find me using my email address.”  

If you want more tips on hot topics, subscribe to AGUK’s Newsletter or follow me on Twitter where you’ll also see details of my Workshop programme.  The next one is in March and will teach you how to become a Twitter Ninja in just 10 minutes a day. Click Here for details.

 

Are you a Twitter account holder?  If so, would “yes” be your answer to any of these questions:

• do you find it a challenge to make Twitter work for you?
• are you spending more time than you should on Twitter or, conversely, struggling to find the time to tweet?
• is it frustrating to find no-one clicking on your links?
• are you stuck with a number of followers that never increases?
• are you getting insufficient retweets?

These questions are prompted by approaches made to me at networking opportunities when I am asked for tips.  Solutions are down to learning Twitter techniques and I am, therefore, holding a special Twitter Workshop from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Tuesday 6 March at the Woodend Creative Workspace in Scarborough.

Depending on your answers to the above questions, this intensive two-hour Workshop may be of interest to you.  It is aimed at anyone with: (1) a Twitter account and (2) a working knowledge of Twitter wanting better results for less time and effort.  It will be fast-paced but fun, with exercises having a Ninja theme and me in the role of Sensei.

The theme of the Workshop and its purpose is to show you how you can become a Twitter Ninja in just 10 minutes a day.  I will teach you how to increase your followers and engage with them; improve your retweets and click-throughs; and benefit from a Twitter strategy that helps your business.  All you will need is a laptop (PC or Mac, with charger) that can connect to the Workshop’s WiFi network, and a willingness to learn new techniques through exercise participation. 

Workshop places must be pre-booked. The cost of the Standard Ticket for the two-hour group tuition is £25 with light refreshments included.  The Premium Ticket at £70 additionally covers an hour’s one-to-one tuition at advanced level, to be taken at a mutually agreed time to suit your schedule.  

For further details about this Workshop and the venue, please click here.

Readers of my articles will know I am security conscious:  you have to be if you do business via the internet.  Increasingly you also have to be security conscious where social media networks are concerned.

According to one internet-based survey, Twitter is ranked as the second most popular social media network for interaction between friends, communities and business organisations.  If you use Twitter, this is a very important post.  However, I have seen a growing number of Twitter users getting hacked due to their account password being stolen through a scam.

A social media hacking scam is designed to encourage email recipients to click on an innocuous-looking link.  The “friendly” message is often along the lines of:  “I cannot believe this picture of you”, or “This picture of you is very embarrassing.”  Authenticity appears genuine as the message, with its picture/video link, purportedly comes via one of your friends/followers.  It is just that they, too, have been hacked.

If you receive such a message and click on the link you’ll see a Twitter log-in page.  Beware!  Despite its realistic appearance it is fake and designed to capture your password.  To spot the deception, check the url in your browser address bar as Twitter will only ever ask you to log-in at twitter.com

Some Twitter scam sites have used addresses such as:

• tw1tter.com
• twittter.com
• twwiter.com
• itwitter.com
• twitter.com.somedomain.cm

Look again at the second example.  The letter “t” appears three times, not two.  Notice that the last example tries to fool you it is the real Twitter site by actually starting with “twitter.com ….”  The other fake urls are easier to identify.

Unfortunately, the official Twitter website does not make things easy.  Its official log-in page is at https://twitter.com  However, it can also use two others:

• https://twitter.com/#!/login
• https://api.twitter.com

If you receive an email or message with a log-in link to Twitter my advice is to check it.  Open another window and key in https://twitter.com.  Sign in and, if you’re on your own computer, click the “remember me” box.  Go back to the link you got and click it again.  If you are not logged straight into Twitter, the link is fake.  Being cautious will keep you safe, and help you protect your Twitter password.