You are not alone if Twitter makes you feel a bit overwhelmed, fatigued, and wondering where the time went. Twitter time management could almost be an oxymoron. It is a great tool with awesome potential, but can also be a time-suck when used incorrectly or without some time-saving tactics in place. Yes, there are Twitter-aholics out there, frantically tweeting as I compose this blog post. In fact, I flipped between HootSuite and WordPress while writing this blog a couple times myself. There is not one Twitter time management method that works for everyone, but there are several different ways to effectively use your time on Twitter that may fit your needs.
10 Twitter Time Management Tips
- Learn how to use Twitter effectively – Knowing some of the tricks and tips to get the most out of Twitter will also help you more effectively manage your Twitter time.
- Schedule batched Twitter time – Start by logging in to Twitter for just 15 minutes a day and do “batch tweeting” instead of being logged in all day. Whether in the morning, over the noon hour, or the evening. As your schedule allows, bump it up to two 15 minute logins, and so on.
- Use Twitter Lists – Creating and using segmented Twitter lists instead of your home feed allows you to focus on the people that are most important to your goals. Keeping your lists updated will make it easy for you to quickly connect with the right people with little effort.
- Jot down ideas to tweet – If you are not logged into Twitter, but have a great idea for a tweet, have a fluid document or location that you can compile your ideas so great content is at your finger tips when you are on Twitter.
- Use social media automation tools – Tools like Tweetdeck, and my personal favorite, Hootsuite, allow you to schedule your tweets at various times of the day and offer other benefits that are time-savers.
- Syndicate – Use tools like Loomly or Hootsuite to feed your blog into your Twitter account, so that your blog posts are automatically posted to Twitter while they are timely.
- Figure out where Twitter fits into your routine – Integrate Twitter into your everyday routine. Do you tweet with your first cup of coffee or over lunch? Maybe it is part of routine of checking your email or voice mail a few times a day. See what works for you and build on it.
- Decide where you stand with notifications – In your Twitter settings, you can indicate if you want Twitter to email you with each direct message, reply/mention, new follower, retweets, etc. You may either find that these notifications help you stay engaged in Twitter or pose an added distraction.
- Use the mobile apps: Use the Twitter App of your choice to stay connected to Twitter on your smart phone or tablet. The best times to tweet could be while you are in-between activities or playing the waiting game.
- Get help when needed – Marketers who wear many hats may find they need help managing all or parts of their social media in order to focus on other marketing goals. Some options include outsourcing your social media or using tools like Hootsuite to manage Twitter as a team.
And lastly, know when to log out and be present with the real moments in front of you. You don’t need to throw your phone in the ocean, but a smart marketer knows when to turn technology off to avoid burnout, and return back to your social network with dedicated time and focus. Whether you have rules for designated family time, unplugged days, or are going on a vacation – knowing when and how to make the most of your time overall is key to your life balance and overall success.
