What’s In a Widget?
Now right off the top let me say that Twitter widgets are not for all blogs and websites and there is nothing at all wrong with not having one. But for those that do have them installed, read on.
Having a Twitter widget in the sidebar of your blog can be really useful. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of having this tool on your site.
I use mine as a bulletin board of sorts, thinking about what visitors will see when they arrive. The widget is not just some fancy gadget, but has real functionality and purpose.
Use it to promote the work of others by keeping helpful links to other blogs listed. As I promote the work of others I am sensitive to the period of time that a particular post will appear.
In other words, space out the tweets so that the entries remain in the widget for a period of time. If I were to Tweet 9 posts in 30 minutes with 4 entry slots in the widget, the promotion time for many is greatly reduced.
Yes, I could expand the widget to accommodate more entries, but I don’t want to. Keeping it to 3 or 4 entries is easier on the eyes of the visitor and allows them a better opportunity to actually read what is there.
Another critical consideration for me is this, the last Tweet of the day (or night). Pay particular attention to that last Tweet, it’s the one that will occupy the top spot until you return. Do you want that to be some meaningless reply to your buddy that no one will understand?
Example: Tweet from buddy “you bowling tonight?” Your last Tweet “Yep, sure plan to”.
Using the bulletin board approach, this is a poor ad. It makes sense to 2 individuals, but how does this help the visitors to your blog over the next 12 hours while you are away?
Depending upon conversations with friends and associates, there are times when little can be done about what will be displayed overnight, but give a little thought to the use of this tool. It may be easier than you think.
Do you have a Twitter widget and how do you use it on your site?
Keep Blogging!
14 Responses to Strategic Use of Your Twitter Widget
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Strategic Use of Your Twitter Widget | Jimi Jones Dot Com…
What’s In a Widget? Having a Twitter widget in the sidebar of your blog can be really useful. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of having this tool on your site….
Yes my current theme has the twitter widget at the top right side of the page. I haven’t really given much thought about what I leave there overnight but I will now.
Hi Selurus,
I’ve seen your widget and it looks great! in fact, your entire site looks nice, keep on doing what you’re doing.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Strategic Use of Your Twitter Widget =-.
Hi Jimi,
These widgets are great promotional tools – I actually use (i) FriendFeed to highlight the latest article tweeted ( you’re the last of the day so have the long overnight slot while I sleep!) and (ii) the Twitter Counter to highlight some of the most recent visitors
Cheers
Will
.-= Will´s last blog ..wchingya.com =-.
Hey, Will.
How are you, man?
Good promotional tools for sure. Thanks for letting me camp out on that Friendfeed top slot.
It’s good to see you, Will.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Strategic Use of Your Twitter Widget =-.
I haven’t implemented one of these in awhile. Although the one I see most often is the visitor widget. I like how yours is giving approval of other posts [not just your own], but it also gives readers a glimpse into you and how you use Twitter. This is especially evident by the time line – not a lot of random tweets. I just cleaned up my sidebar, maybe it’s time to add something and see if it sticks.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..How to Add Your Google Reader Feeds as a Blogroll on Your Site =-.
Hi Anne!
Good to see you.
I try to provide some helpful stuff for others to read and learn from. So many bloggers are working hard and have produced some really nice post, so spreading the love is a good thing.
I am not a big fan of overly promoting my own post, looks to spammy.
When you promote others many will do the same for you.
Give the Twitter widget another shot, you will probably get good results.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Strategic Use of Your Twitter Widget =-.
Tweeting about your own posts isn’t a bad thing. You should tweet about your work. But its more fun to RT Other peoples content.
Besides you wouldn’t have too many followers if you only tweet your blog posts, they’d rather subscribe to your blog, wouldn’t they?
Nope, Tweeting your own post is not bad, I just try to keep it to a 10 to 1 ratio or thereabouts. You are right about not having many followers when it’s only about you.
I do see quite a bit of that, but to each his own. It’s a matter of style I guess. Too much chest thumping is never a good thing though.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Business Blogging vs Personal Blogging – Never the Two Shall Meet? =-.
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twitter widgets are great if you are actually tweeting about stuff that would engage your site visitors. if it’s just a feed of blog posts or random musings it may give off the wrong impression!
Hello Joe!
I could not agree more, there should be some value added for the readers. What’s the sense in loading the thing with your own post, they are already on your site and have access to them anyway.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..Reader Survey Results =-.
I’d like to argue a little bit, if you don’t mind
“Pay particular attention to that last Tweet, it’s the one that will occupy the top spot until you return. Do you want that to be some meaningless reply to your buddy that no one will understand?”
- I think there’s nothing wrong with leaving your last tweet, where you say “good bye” or some senseless reply to your pal before you go to bed.
Here’s why…
Those meaningless replies, actually, say, that you interact on Twitter with others. And sometimes.. when I see such replies, I want to find out what was that conversation all about – I visit that blogger’s twitter profile page!
Though..
You’re absolutely right about some additional promotion of something said on Twitter, which will remain for the night time, when you’re not active.
My point is that both variants are fine
.-= iWoodpecker´s last blog ..Most Influential Commenter: February 2010 Roundup =-.
Don’t mind at all, Allan
Nothing wrong with another point of view.
Your example is another way of looking at it and I would not say it’s wrong to take that approach. My point is to be strategic about what appears.
At the end of the day it is the blog owner’s choice of how they want to use their tools. I just make a more conscious effort to leave something useful for visitors.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..How Not To Build Your Brand =-.