Basic Twitter Decisions

Before you begin to use Twitter, think hard about the name you want to use. This late into the game, you may discover that – like domain names – many Twitter names have been taken. But, you're creative, right? Use a business name for your business (one way to discover if you're using another business's name or that they're using yours) if this is a business account. Use your dog's name for an anonymous free-for-all account or some other word that will resonate with a cause you're trying to promote.

No matter what you use, try to make it short and personal. Twitter sometimes looks closely at accounts that combine strange letter and number combos, as spammers often use those combinations for spam attacks. Look at what other graphic designers or programmers are using for their Twitter 'handles' to get some ideas for your name (lists of graphic designers and programmers on Twitter listed below, along with other ways to find them). Then, register an account with that name at Twitter and you're good to go.

Conclusion

In a previous article, I introduced you to Nicholas Patten, a graphic designer who is hot on Twitter (meaning he loves Twitter and he also has – as of this writing – 25,161 followers, compared to 22,031 followers for icon Jeffrey Zeldman). Why is Patten so successful at garnering followers on Twitter? Here's one of his secrets:

I won't go into details of explaining Twitter or how to use it. I will just explain what I do with it. I spend some time every day finding things that interest me and then send links out to my Twitter followers. I don't just send anything out to them, I try to keep my focus on any type of art, no matter whether it's photography, music videos, animators, editors, reels, experimental videos, digital art, architecture, paintings, or art exhibition info.

But, Patten also tries to respond to every person who replies to his Tweets. And, he also posts his latest work so people can see what type of work he does. While many followers might not be your idea of fun, Patten makes a point – if you follow people who follow you, the more you show up on Twitter through those individuals' lists. It's a cumulative effect.

Now that you know Twitter's basics, next week I'll delve more into some 'rules' that you do not need to follow – unless you want to experiment with what works for you. In the meantime, you might use the links below to find other Twitter users who are graphic designers or software programmers.

Tip: Don't follow too many people at once, as that action may trigger Twitter to mark you as a spammer. Instead, follow twenty people to begin, and wait for a few of them to follow you. Then, follow a few more folks, and so on. Building a following on Twitter is a process, and one that can take a while. Although it's taken me almost a full year to build a following of 800+ on Appomattox News, it's only a few months to reach that same number on my anonymous account – my approaches to both accounts will be made public next week, right here at DMXZone.

Linda Goin

Linda Goin carries an A.A. in graphic design, a B.F.A. in visual communications with a minor in business and marketing and an M.A. in American History with a minor in the Reformation. While the latter degree doesn't seem to fit with the first two educational experiences, Linda used her 25-year design expertise on archaeological digs and in the study of material culture. Now she uses her education and experiences in social media experiments.

Accolades for her work include fifteen first-place Colorado Press Association awards, numerous fine art and graphic design awards, and interviews about content development with The Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, and L.A. Times.

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