©iStock.com/pick-uppath
The freelance writing community is very well represented on Twitter. A sizeable number of writers gather there each day to share information and chat.
Yesterday was no exception. In fact, Twitter users who wish to reach writers would do well to pay attention to what happened.
I tweeted out the question: “Do you retweet retweets of your original tweet?” (Which, from my own observation, seems to be a growing trend on Twitter.) But, I was not really prepared for the volume of the response.
At least ten writers all joined to discuss the topic and several others sent me direct messages. Writers who participated in the discussion included:
- ACTeeple
- @cassiemon
- @Cecilia_Maza
- @davastewart
- @iampsjones
- @megcarpen
- @NataliaSylv
- @poewar
- @samarowais
- @SHurleyHall
(I did my best to include everyone who participated. If I forgot you, please let me know in the comments so I can add you in.)
Overwhelmingly, the response to the practice of retweeting retweets was negative. Some writers reacted more strongly than others.
Several writers stated that they would unfollow a Tweeter who engaged in the practice. Most writers echoed my own thoughts in that they found the practice of retweeting retweets annoying, however, they would probably not unfollow a tweeter who did it.
The conclusion most of us reached is that retweeting a retweet is only acceptable if it adds clarity to a discussion.
Personally, I gleaned an additional (unintentional) lesson from the conversation, though.
The added lesson for me was that the conversation served as a demonstration of just how large and how active the Twitter writing community is. All you need to do to reach them is address them directly in the Twitter stream.
Of course, I knew that there were a lot of us on Twitter. (I follow a lot of writers). I just didn’t realize we were this active.
This is important because if someone on Twitter is trying to reach the writer demographic they need to make an effort to find out which Twitter practices are effective for reaching writers and which practices will annoy us. How could someone find this information out? Simple, ask us. You’re sure to get an answer.
Even if you missed yesterday’s Twitter conversation about retweeting retweets, it’s not too late to share your opinion on the topic. Leave it in the comments and I’d be happy to discuss the topic with you here. 🙂
12 responses so far ↓
1 Samantha Gluck // Apr 14, 2011 at
This was a great idea, Laura! I think getting the writing community together in this way uplifts us all and helps us support one another (through advice, etc.) in ways that otherwise might not occur to us as Tweeps. I am sorry I missed the conversation. I haven’t been as active lately, since I’ve been busy with my own site and with a separate launch as well. Thanks for sharing this with us.
2 Laura Spencer // Apr 14, 2011 at
Hi Samantha!
I always wish that I could do this a bit more often. These Twitter conversations can be time-consuming, but in my experience they are always worth it.
3 Lisa // Apr 15, 2011 at
Laura,
I’m not real active on Twitter so I don’t understand all the ins and outs. However, I do tweet articles (mine or others that have value to me) from time to time. Personally, I wouldn’t retweet articles out of courtesy to others. People want fresh information, thoughts and ideas. Retweeting would be redundant and possibly annoying to others if done on a regular basis.
Thank you for your insights. You’ve left me with a lot to think about! Have a great weekend!
4 Laura Spencer // Apr 15, 2011 at
Hi Lisa,
I think ordinary retweeting is fine. In fact, it’s to be desired.
We’re talking about retweeting of a retweet of your own tweet. The sequence of events would be something like this: you tweet some information. Someone sees that, likes it, and retweets. It’s good so far! But then, you see the retweet and you retweet that even though the original tweet was yours.
Many people see this as a form of boasting or a cry for attention.
Are you confused yet? 🙂
5 Sharon Hurley Hall // Apr 15, 2011 at
Great summary, Laura. There really are a lot of writers on Twitter. My list of writers numbers 196 but I know that there are a lot more. What I took away from the experience is not just about asking questions, but about asking the right question at the right time. I don’t know how you figure out what that is, but you seemed to pick a time when many writers were doing their Twitter water cooler thing, hence the great response.
6 Laura Spencer // Apr 15, 2011 at
Hi Sharon!
I haven’t updated my Twitter lists in quite a while (something to add to the to-do list), but I know that writers are well-represented on Twitter.
That’s an excellent point about timing, although in this case I tweeted the question three times (at different times of the day) and twice got a great response.
I know for me my “water cooler” time varies depending on how busy I am and what mood I am in. 🙂
7 Sharon Hurley Hall // Apr 15, 2011 at
Yes, me too, Laura. I usually check first thing in the morning and around lunch time, but sometimes I take a 5 min Twitter break mid-morning or mid-afternoon as a way of refreshing my thoughts.
8 Laura Spencer // Apr 15, 2011 at
Someone tweeted an app a few weeks ago (can’t remember what it was, or I would share the link) that was supposed to find your optimal tweeting time. Mine was Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m.–I time that I am NEVER online…
9 L.C. Gant // Apr 17, 2011 at
Hmm. Very interesting discussion topic. I know the basics of Twitter but I’m by no means an expert, so I’d never heard of this scenario until now.
I’ll admit the idea of “retweeting a retweet” fascinates me in a strange way. I find it more odd than annoying, kind of like a written version of an echo. It does, however, highlight the importance of learning social media etiquette when we reach out to our audience, both as readers and writers. As this discussion shows, if you’re not careful, you can alienate your supporters without even knowing why. Thanks for sharing! Very helpful stuff 🙂
10 Laura Spencer // Apr 19, 2011 at
Thanks L.C.
I think most Twitter “rules” are actually preferences. Still, it’s important not to annoy the people you are trying to reach out to in Twitter.
11 Misty Dawn // May 2, 2011 at
I’ve thrown questions out on Twitter and asked for people’s opinions on Twitter too, but I don’t get much of a response at all. I guess I’m doing something wrong (or not doing something right hehe). I’m not afraid to admit I’ve got a lot to learn about Twitter.
12 Laura Spencer // May 10, 2011 at
Thanks Misty Dawn!
It does take a while to grow a Twitter following. One reason that I’ve chosen to grow my Twitter following organically rather than through auto-following is that I want a following that is engaged. I want folks who follow because they’re interested in what I say or who want to get to know me rather than folks who follow in the hopes that I’ll auto-follow them back.