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Regarding Twitter: Two Online Tools To Help

A Look At SearchCloudlet and twIRC

Tweetgrid's IRC client: I'm a big fan of Tweetgrid for monitoring conversations on Twitter, mainly because it autoupdates and allows me to see up to 9 different conversation topics at once. (One of my tutorials is on the home page at Tweetgrid) But there are times that I want to concentrate on one specific topic or event and see who is most active in that conversation. That's when I turn to twIRC on the Tweetgrid platform. The following video will show you why.

twIRC from @jazzychad from Jeff Turner on Vimeo.

SearchCloudlet: I'm not a fan of "auto-following" on Twitter. Yes, I know there are "strategies" out there that can help you rack up big numbers of followers using a combination of automation techniques. I prefer to have conversations with people. So, I look at every person who follows me on twitter to determine if I want to follow them back... or not. One of the tools that helps me (not the only tool) is the SearchCloudlet plugin for Firefox. It gives me a quick way to look at what someone has been talking about on their most recent Twitter page and who they've been talking to. It also provides tag clouds for searches on Google as well. This will give you a quick glimpse of how it works.

Using SearchCloudlet To Vet Twitter Followers from Jeff Turner on Vimeo.

If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably seen these already. :)

Posted by Jeff Turner on 03/19/2009 03:49 PM

Comments (69)

Twitter in the Technology and Tools Channel

twitter, tweetgrid, searchcloudlet

Originally posted at: Turner's Perspective: Regarding Twitter: Two Online Tools To Help

Post is included in group: Twitter
Post is included in group: Social Networks
Post is included in group: Gadgets, Tools, & Extras

69 Comments on Regarding Twitter: Two Online Tools To Help

MAR

Thanks for sharing about TwIRC. I haven't tried that one before. I started the whole auto follow process and then realized I didn't like it so much. I was getting so many direct messages every day and then I couldn't see the stream of my friends all lost in the bunch. Following too many too quickly is a mistake

Sandy, there is an obsession with numbers on Twitter that is approaching fever pitch lately. My advice to everyone is to not play that game. Grow your followers organically and based on your conversations. Otherwise you'll just have a whole bunch of people "following" you who aren't really listening to what you have to say. IMHO.

Thank you. there is so much to learn about twitter. Thank you for the tips

hey, this is good information... maybe it'll allow me to understand how twitter can be useful.

Nice to see you back Jeff.

Hi Jeff, Thanks for the info about Twitter. I am really new at it and I am finding it is hard to keep-up with a HUGE amount of people at the same time as well. Thank you!

Glad to see you back too!

Alan and Teresa... it's a friendly place. :)

Jeff: you're always on top of the techy stuff. Thx for sharing.

Hi Jeff - Two very valuable tools. I appreciate the videos and your take on why you use these tools. twIRC is pretty cool as I prefer to look at conversations in context. Also, like you, I'm not a big fan of auto follow, so search cloudlet will be a huge help. Thanks so much for the great info....again!

I agree with you on the "auto follow" feature for Twitter. It reminds me of how my Mother in Law has interesting conversations with my Voice Mail. She thinks she's talking to an actual person just like me when I've responded to an auto responder.

Yes, my face is red.

Kristal, this is an auto reply. It's not really me.

I'm using tweetdeck right now because I like having my different groups. I have participated in some hashtag conversations and I really like that feature that it puts the hashtag in for you.

Pros and cons of this versus tweetdeck?

Glad to see a post from you! You were at the top of my subscription list this afternoon :)

Great tip for sure. But in order for me to wrap my brain around it all I'm going to have to play with it for weeks.

Might sink in faster with one of those Turner Classic Mojitos. ;)

Thanks Jeff! I have watched your video on Tweetgrid site but haven't dug in yet. I first heard of Twitter from your posts and avoided it because I didn't understand it and now love it and I am sure I will feel the same about these tools - you haven't been wrong yet - bought the Panasonic Lumix on your recommendation :-) I guess it's time. I agree about following - I look things over before I hit the button - nothing automatic so the last tool seems intriguing.

Wow - I'm still on page 1 of Twitter and don't really want to get too enTWined with all the add-ons. One step at a time. But thanks for the info.

Since I am throwing a new horse site into my mix, I appreciate the CloudLet now more than ever. Looking forward to seeing you Friday.

How does this compare to TweetDeck? Because TweetDeck doesn't work the way I expected it to. I'm pretty disappointed with it. I guess I'll just download whatever you're using. You seem to always be 2 steps ahead of me with this stuff =)

I second Melina's question about Tweetgrid versus Tweetdeck!

Good advice on building organically. This weekend I was looking at my numbers and wondering just how reliable they were as an indication of effective communication and marketing. I'll take a look at CloudLet if any of the NCAA games turn into blowouts this weekend.

MAR

Thanks for the information!

John, that's a good question to be asking. Numbers are easy to get. Want 10,000 followers. I can show you how to do that without even having a single conversation. But to what end?

Drew and Lisa. I use both Tweetdeck and Tweetgrid. When I want to be actively monitor a nuber of conversations, I turn to Tweetgrid. I have several 9 slot grids saved as bookmarks with the different topic categories I want to monitor. If I'm just casually following, then I use Tweetdeck, because it's simple. I use twIRC when I really want to engage heavily with one specific event. Since it presents a nearly live feed without refreshing, I miss less of the conversation. And being able to see who is most active in the conversation helps me understand who is most interested.

Something else I didn't know about! So much to learn - so little time. Thanks for the info.

thanks for more great information!

I was looking at tweetgrid last night. I was at a 1am hazy loss as to what to "do" with the tweet grid.

Thanks for the more than timely insight.

I agree, jeff, I look at every one who follows me 1st before deciding. I am here to make friends nt follow 10,000 people. TomLarsen (Twitter name)

More tweets from our twitter guru! I have to set aside more time to get into this further. I have bookmarked this post and will be back.

Dear ActiveRain Member: Thank you for such an informative post!

Jeff-thanks for the information. I use tweetdeck and have to take a look at tweetgrid.

Awesome! Thanks so much!

I'll have to check this out. I don't do auto-follow because not everyone has something to say that I want to hear(see). I was re-thinking this today when all I saw on my home page were RT's, quotes and link URL's. Boring stuff sometimes. Where are the real original thoughts I want to see? Maybe I'm just not into all of it today. Check again tomorrow...

Thanks Jeff..powerful way to not lose track of those conversations or tweets.

Jeff - So I wrote a really cool comment, but ActiveRain went goofy on me for a minute. So instead, I just have to tell you that the SearchCloudlet plug in is a great tip and I appreciate it.

I just read through several of your blogs including this one. You have one of the more informative blogs I have read on here....Thanks

I follow you on Twitter, but am SO GLAD to see you back in the rain!! Thanks for the Twitter info. This will be one post I'll have to bookmark and digest when I can. Thanks, Jeff.

Jeff - Thanks for this tutorial. I mostly lurk and don't tweet as much as I should. So much to learn so little time.

Ha ha Rich's comment above.

BTW Bob here not to be confused with Lisa.

I've got to take this one step at a time...i.e. twitter, facebook, linkedIn, etc. My brain circuits....OUCH!

Thanks for the info

I, too, prefer substance over volume any day. Thanks for the lessons.

Makes perfect sense to me, although I have a lot to learn.

Jeff - I've installed SearchCloudlet on my Twitter page, the tags did not make a whole lot of sense to me now. I like TweetGrid based on what I just saw on your video explanation, but the loading of the video over at TweetGrid is right now not working for me, I'll try later. Thanks, this is really cool and I'll share it with my followers.

Following people who really iinterest you makes all the difference in the world with the Twitter experience. I love the way that a simple tweet can broaden my perspective, inform, educate, make me laugh and make me pause with a simple piece of inspiration. Thanks for sharing this tool...it will make it a little easier to enjoy what I like most about the site. :)

I do like to use tweetgrid - i think I learned that from you : ) - I will look into the SearchCloudlet and the twIRC...

Excellent info. Took you approximately four months to come up with something new to add to the Rain? I don't think so. But welcome back and thanks for the great advice! (You were one of the reasons I came to this crazy place.)

Jeff - Good to see you here. This tool does look like it make the twitter experience more meaningful as it allows you to focus on specific topics.

I am seeing twitter everywhere, it was metioned at least 5 times during the first minute on ET tonight. I hope it doesn't become pase'

I am on Twitter Jeff but I am afraid I don't use like I should. I will take a look at the links and maybe that will improve my experience. If I only had two sets of hands and two separate brains . Then I could do my work and twitter too! Actually it is more that I don't think to log in very often.

Jeff - Good stuff, as usual. I have used Tweetgrid quite a bit, but I hadn't seen twIRC before. The search cloudlet seems invaluable at determining who the "good guys" are!

Jeff you have a magical way of unlocking the Human brain. I have always followed your advice bringing us to number 6 for last year company wide and number 1 last week. Thank you.

I'm still trying to better understand Twitter and appreciate the info.

Good stuff here, Jeff. I have not done much with TweedGrid and clearly need to do more. Love the idea of SearchCloudlet. Will you be at REBCLA?

Jeff

Hi Jeff, Twitter is on my April to do list. I will bookmark your post so that I can work on it then. Thank youl

MAR

Jeff- Thanks for the answer. That really explains a lot. I'm one of the casual users... or less than casual if such a thing exists. I'm just not that into it. But your answer explained a lot. Thanks =)

I agree that the auto follow thing is kinda crazy. Seems to me that deciding to auto follow or depends on whether your business is regional or national. Different strategies for different users. Haven't really followed any conversations yet - you gave me some insight on how to do that in a controlled way. thanks

Jeff

Amazing how much we can accomplish with the proper technology

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Jeff - Where in the world do you get all this techy information? You're amazing! Thanks!

thanks Jeff, we have missed your posts, glad to see you back!

This is helpful information, I am still trying to get the hang of Twitter but I clearly see the potential, otherwise I wouldn't be there.

Hi Jeff,

Well I started this comment by writing that I was a "twitter twit" because I did not GET the point of twitter. But as I was typing the comment it remembered what people said to me about blogging and how they did not get it.

THEN the light bulb went off for me.

So I erased that comment... and started this comment.

Like daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. I get it!

Now I gotta get IT.

Get it?

PS: I love Real Estate Shows. The way I use it is a bit unconventional, but to me it is just an AWESOME tool to make a marketing point.

I am soo lost on all this twitter tweet twit sh--. OMG, I am so busy I don't have the time for this kinda stuff. How do you people do it!

(Jeff! Long time no see! I see you kept that picture, awesome!)

Jeff, you certainly know your way around and I truly appreciate you excellent advice. I have been bothered by the numbers for numbers sake thing. Heck I am barely into it but your statement:

"Grow your followers organically and based on your conversations."

makes all the sense in the world to me! Thanks!

Great tips! I'll definitely check out Search Cloudlet! Thanks for sharing!

Jeff, Thanks for the links. I am going to check those after #rets. Thanks so much for your AWESOME talk today about Social networking. It's good to know it's not all in the numbers, but more into the relationships.

I really enjoyed attending your sessions :)

JEFF - SOOO HAPPY TO SEE YOU BACK!!!! Please don't stay away so long. I have so much to learn from you (selfishly she says). Thanks for the info on the Tweetgrid - sounds cool. did you happen to catch Marti Garaughty's blog today about Twitter? Pretty interesting stuff. OK - I'm way over getting any points for comments but I had to say welcome back!

MAR

Jeff - thanks for sharing this. I am becoming more active on Twitter lately, and have been very careful about who I choose to follow, but keeping up with the incessant posts can be a bit overwhelming. I will check out this twIRC today.

I recently put a new site for Realtors & would love your feedback. The site was built out of the frustrations I had as an active realtor "Everyone told me what to do, but nobody really wanted to tell me the "how-to" part. So after 7 years in the business I wanted to share the "how-to" of online marketing, social networks, blogs, etc... for other real estate professionals.

Here is a link to the site: http://www.WebRealEstateTools.com - Let me know what you think.

APR

That tool looks really cool. Ok I just rhymed. I think thats the biggest problem with twitter if you respond to someone but no a DM you might miss it and never see that someone responded to you.

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