Twitter Instructions for TGP Users

Here is a copy of the instructions I sent the TGP team of Twitterers to get them started. Need a Social Media Policy? Click Here for more info >>

Later this week, info on launching Facebook Fan Pages and LinkedIn groups.

Twitter Instructions for TGP Users

Users: Jeff, Charles, Lisa, Amanda, Lyndsey, Kristin

Twitter Accounts:

Account Name..............Username................. Password
TGP4CPAs .................. email address ......... **********
i_Shade ....................... email address ......... **********
Mgmt_Summit ............email address ......... **********
s_s_firmconf .............. email address ......... **********

To use on the web: Go to http://twitter.com and use the above info to log in to any of the accounts.

To use on your iPhone: Download the “Tweetie” app from the Apple app store. You can add and monitor/tweet for all 4 accounts very easily. It’s awesome.

If you know little or nothing about Twitter, read these “tutorials” on my personal blog; I read the Twitter Book cover-to-cover and wrote these based on what I felt was most important in the book. (By the way, @TGP4CPAs just got a tweet from SmartPros wanting to reprint these in their next E-newsletter - Twitter works!)

CPA's are Aflutter About Twitter
Part 1 – Overview: http://bit.ly/cBBzA
Part 2 – Beginner: http://bit.ly/Gy84a
Part 3 – Intermediate: http://bit.ly/DcDv5
Part 4 – Advanced & Business: http://bit.ly/eQajL

Parts 2 and 3 are probably the most important, but if you have time, it would be good to read all 4. For 140 characters, Twitter can be complicated and there is a definite Twitter etiquette that should be followed.

I’m working on building our followers. Right now, the greatest critical mass is on @TGP4CPAs. However, as far as Twitter goes, I would love it if everyone would tweet at least once per day to each account. Preface your tweet with your initials. For example:

KG: Insight into TGP's social media strategy & tactics http://bit.ly/FfFAN

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of tweeting, find a groove and stick with it. For example, Charles may want to tweet Rosenberg stats. Or, maybe you just want to retweet others. If that’s the case, find some people you like and grab their RSS feed. When it’s time for you to tweet, see what they’ve posted and retweet them. Example:

KG: RT @markwschaefer Good message about importance of humility: Reality Check: Get Off Your High Horse Already http://bit.ly/19wsAN

To grab an RSS feed, click on their name (@AICPA_JofA for example) to go to their home page (or go to http://twitter.com/AICPA_JofA) and in the right column, under their “Following” block, you’ll see “RSS Feed of AICPA_JofA’s tweets” (it’s a link). All of their tweets will be delivered right into your Outlook (not your inbox; below your inbox under RSS feeds).

When retweeting, it’s best to include a brief commentary as to why you’re retweeting them. Sometimes it’s difficult with the 140 character limit and can’t always be done (more info in the tutorials about retweeting etiquette).

It’s best if most of the tweets are not about TGP. The purpose is to connect and engage others. Believe it or not, it’s easier than it seems. Let me handle getting the marketing messages out there. The rest of you should focus on gaining influence with others and connecting on a personal level when possible.

Feel free to use the Search feature to find more people to follow on topics you’re interested in (for example, Lyndsey may want to find firm administrators/training coordinators/HR professionals to connect with). Often, if you follow them, they’ll follow you back. Especially if you send them an @message as to why you’re interested in connecting with them. I’m focusing my search on accountants and state societies.

Here are some of the people I am following through RSS feeds:
http://twitter.com/AICPA_JofA
http://twitter.com/AICPANews
http://twitter.com/complianceweek
http://twitter.com/CPA_Trendlines
http://twitter.com/CPALetter_Daily
http://twitter.com/MACPA (Maryland state society)
http://twitter.com/zappos (CEO of Zappos; I love his style)

If any of you have a style like Zappos, do it! He has a ton of followers because he’s a little offbeat and funny. He’s just plain fun to follow and we want people to think about us like that! I can’t pull it off, but if you can, GO FOR IT! This should be fun and not all about business. We want people to like us for US, because we have a great culture and that is an extension of our brand. And the key ingredient is to ADD VALUE whenever possible. Tweet links to interesting websites or other interesting info (Rosenberg stats would be great info to tweet).

You can click on any of those links above and grab their RSS feeds right now. I think that covers everything. Let me know if you have questions or suggestions. Thanks!