On the Language of Social Media

A super post @such&such Best ever stuff indeed!

It’s fab! It’s great! It’s just too much! A wicked cool must-read!!!

Have you ever received a tweet (or two) similar to this one?  Are you “guilty” of tweeting something similar yourself?.. 

I am.  I used “great” more often than I should have.  In fact, I should not have used it at all.  When I wrote “great” I meant it.  However, in retrospect, I should have stayed away from the word. 

There’re only this many characters in a tweet.  They shouldn’t be wasted on “fab best ever must-reads.”  Let us not be pushy.  Let us allow others to decide what they must or must not read.  Let us make our tweets more concise.  More meaningful.  More grownup.

Next time I’m tempted to use what seems to be the “norm of social media language” – I’ll think again.

Here’s a link to a great article (oops!) scratch that – simply an article on the topic:

http://writerunboxed.com/2012/06/23/social-over-the-top/

The article is by Porter Anderson. 

The link was tweeted by Jane Friedman. 

Find them on Twitter @Porter_Anderson @JaneFriedman

Live for the Love of it,

The Happy Amateur

Why Tweet?

I’m (very) far from being a Twitter guru, but I’ve started to develop a taste for Twitter.  The connection aspect (which is what Twitter is all about – connection) fascinates me.  At first Twitter may be overwhelming and confusing, but it gets better. You soon begin to figure out how to find people you want to follow.  You learn how you can “tweet your own horn” and get people to know – and, perhaps, follow – you.  You navigate Twitter finding info on virtually anything you’re interested in.

There’s a ton of useful info on Twitter.  I’m mostly interested in writing (although not solely.)  I haven’t been on Twitter that long, but I’ve already been very fortunate to find invaluable advice on writing itself as well as on things that accompany it: blogging, building a platform, getting published, promoting your book, etc.  

One of my favorite blog posts ever (found thanks to Twitter) is Anne R. Allen’s 

The Slow Blog Manifesto...and 8 Reasons Why Slow Blogging Will Help Your Career, Your Love Life, and Protect You From Angry Elephants 

How can you resist a title like that?  The title is great, but the post is even better.  If you haven’t seen it yet, you’re in for a treat.  Go over to Anne’s for a refreshing take on the “how to” of blogging.  Browse her blog – you’ll be amazed at how informative, helpful and fun her posts are.  Enjoy!

http://annerallen.blogspot.com

Follow Anne on Twitter @annerallen

Live for the Love of it,

The Happy Amateur