Get the most out of your time spent tweeting by leveraging these twitter apps.
There are a lot of webtools out there for twitter, too many really. Here is a short list of tools that provide a lot of value.
Downright Useful
Here are some tools that you can use day to day to stay on top of your reputation, find out information, and just get things done.
- TwitScoop
Find out what’s hot on twitter right now. This analyzes the public twitter stream and creates a Tag Cloud of the frequently occurring terms. This is the fastest way to hear about breaking news or find out what’s becoming popular on twitter, as it happens. - Twitter Search (aka summize.com)
Like google for twitter, it works very well. Use it. - Twitpic
If you have pictures to post to twitter it doesn’t get any easier. You log in with your twitter username and password, when you post pictures or comments it tweets them for you. Quick, easy, and fun.
Growing Your Sphere
Although twitter could be considered a broadcast medium, it is limited to those who have chosen to listen to you. If you want to spread your message you have to locate people who have similar interests. These tools provide great avenues for locating those people.
- Twubble
Searches through who you’re following to find out who they’re following. This can be a great way to locate other twitterers who should be part of your circle. - Twitter Search
I’m going to have to pull this one out again, especially if you are in any sort of niche market. Searching on specific keywords or phrases can help you to locate twitterers who are interested in what you have to say. This is also great for finding who already owns a specific space. - Just Twitter
What?! That’s right, the best way to grow your sphere is to just use twitter. You need to be tweeting about things of interest, sharing good links, and taking part in discussions (using @). Get involved your group will spread organically, that’s the best way.
Reach and Usage
These sites provide broad info on how you are using twitter, from stats to a pat on the back, because it’s always nice to hear you’re better than the rest. But there is some lasting value here, if you are using twitter to build or maintain a brand it’s important to keep track of where you stand.
- Twitter Grader
Twitter Grader shows you how you stack up with all the other twitterers they’ve rated. There are also listings of the top twitterers in your area. Twitter Grader bases your score on: “The number of followers you have, the power of this network of followers, the pace of your updates, the completeness of your profile, …a few others” - TweetStats
Insight into where and when you post. There is a lot here, but it can help you to understand where your peak times are. You may not realize how busy you are lunch, and how much you’re neglecting the mid-evening.
- Click Thru Metrics
There are several url shortening services that provide great insight into how your links perform. Understand what it is your followers are clicking on, and when they tend to click the most. idek.net* and cli.gs are two have detailed url click-thru stats.*I created and maintain idek.net, so of course I fully support it as a great tool!
Again, this is just a smattering of all the amazing tools out there. And new tools are being released into the twitter community every day. I encourage you to get involved, use the tools, try new ones out. You’ll never really know what sticks until you give it a chance.