Making the Most of Twitter for Designers
Best Practices and Ideas for Graphic Designers Using Twitter
Oct 19, 2009
Twitter can be one of a graphic designers greatest assets if they know how to use it. Using Twitter to promote a business or work is different than talking with friends and exchanging funny Web sites. In order for Twitter to be a benefit for a designer, there has to be a clear purpose for each tweet. Also, by making tweets interesting and enticing, more people will sign up as followers and increase the designers influence and exposure.
Build a Community
To be successful, a designer cannot just tweet about his or her own projects. Be encouragement for other designers by posting something great that someone else has done. Also, posting tutorials, links to new stock images or services helps the community as whole become better designers. This is what people need from Twitter is help doing their jobs so by passing that information on, the poster will get more followers.
Learn From Others
Spend time networking and getting to know other designers. Looking at their work and talking to them about their work can only make for a better designer in the end. Use Twitter not only for saying something but for listening to others and gaining knowledge.
Show Off Not Only Finished Work, but Works in Progress
Be a more interesting part of the community by tweeting what is going on at the moment, even if that means it's not finished. Let followers be a part of the design process by showing a design at the beginning, middle and end. Or ask for input. Many designers will be great support by retweeting other designers work for more people to see. Just remember to return the favor.
Be an Active Member
Always respond to new followers with a direct message thanking them for following. And don't go too many days without posting. This is a micro-blogging site, so remember that it is easy to forget about people that don't post often.
Always Have a Call to Action
Tell people to "check something out" or to "look at this site" and don't over do the posts. With only 160 characters many think there is no way to talk to much, but that 's simply not true. People go to Twitter for quick pieces of information, to talk to someone or to see something new. Be sweet and simple.
Most importantly, don't let it take up too much time. Using Twitter for professional purposes, needs to be a routine part of the day and once the task is finished, the designer needs to move on to what they are truly good at: designing.
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