Twitter: Best Practices for authors?

[Leon]

I think most authors have at least one social media account. I always have found twitter to be crowded, messy, and tricky to use.

Do yo use it? Do you use the professional version? Any hints on how to use it effectively?

[Groovy]

Let me just be of no account right here: No, I don't use Twitter. Besides being crowded and messy, it takes too much of your attention, and like FB, I don't think it gets you very far.

[Leon]

I think with many things it may work better for some. I refuse to put it on my phone, so I plan to post occasionally and hopefully make some connections.

[Erin]

I use Twitter as an author (I don't use it for personal use). I haven't found it useful for gaining new readers, but I have found it useful for connecting with other authors in my genre, finding beta/ARC readers, etc. The #amwriting hash tag can be a but of a free for all, but if you're completely new to writing, it's good for general questions. I like the #StrictlyWriting and associated hash tags because they focus in on specific areas of need where authors have questions about craft, publishing, etc.

[Justin]

I'm on Twitter way too much and I tweet more about other things than my own books. Then again you don't wanna be spammy so I guess maybe that's a good thing? lol

[Leon]

Erin wrote: "I like the #StrictlyWriting and associated hash tags because they focus in on specific areas of need where authors have questions about craft, publishing, ..."

I'm looking at what others tweet and what #s seem to be the most appropriate, as well as seeing which posts get more traction.


Justin wrote: "....I tweet more about other things than my own books."

I suppose there might be a reason to have a personal and an author account. I don't plan to use it other than my platform.