For a tool that only allows you to type 140 characters there is a seemingly unending list of tools, widgets, gidgets and plug-in’s to help you get “more” out of Twitter. When choosing a twitter tool or website to use keep a couple of things in mind?
1. What specific objective does this tool help me accomplish?
Are you looking at a tool or website because, “It’s the one all the cools kids are using these days.” If so then stop that. It is not a good move. Always have a clear purpose in mind of how you want to use twitter and look for tools that will allow you to make better use of Twitter.
2. Choose a tool that fits into your current work flow.
You already have a system of doing things and a manner in which you like to work. It is sort of your work comfort zone. If some new Twitter app or website comes along which helps you meet one of your Twitter objectives, but is cluttering up your work space then I would pass on that Twitter website or app.
3. KISS approach
As with most things in life the Keep It Simple Stupid principle is usually always the best approach. Apply this to Twitter means you might have 1 application that you use and maybe a handful of website. But over complicating things with multiple desktop apps and endless supply of Twitter websites is well.. stupid! Twitter is a simple tool that can easily be made complicated. Avoid the temptation to make it complicated!
Below is an example of one simple Twitter website that I have used some. The website is called BudURL. It helps me accomplish one simple goal with my tweets. I can shorten and track URL’s. This is important to me because I use Twitter for promotion. Since I’m trying to “sell” stuff on Twitter, I want to know which of my “ads” are people clicking on. There are other tools and websites that will do similar things but this is one that I am using. Watch the video demo of BudURL below. (email subscribers: visit the blog to watch the video)
Again this is one of many tools. What tools, apps, websites do you use to make better use of Twitter? and more importantly – Why did you choose those apps?
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