According to me, Twitter is the best social media site that helps people communicate with each other, but my problem is when I ask expert bloggers questions I never get any response, what can I do about that?

Very true, I can tell that expert bloggers never check their -@- messages, neither direct ones. I don’t blame them, they always get spammed, also they can’t answear to thousands of questions everyday. So, in this situation I’d recommend you to get involved in a community in Twitter! Finding one can be a challenge for Twitter beginners. Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media sites established communities that are easy to find. Same as Twitter, just they’re often a best-kept secret.

Enter #hashtags and Twitter chats:
As experts can’t chat to you directly on Twitter, they can on Twitter chats! Currently there are about 35 weekly sheduled Twitter chats on certain days and times with like-minded professionals discussing a variety of questions. How can I find a Twitter community and participate in a Twitter chat ?

Step 1: Finding and Using the Hastag:
People broadcast their tweets to a specific group and follow others tweeting just by using a hashtag. It’s a symbol “#” followed by a name or abbreviation. Hashtag is a perfect way to get involved successfully in a Twitter chat - Check this Google Doc list of Twitter chats.

Step 2: Twitter Chat Tools, Best Way to Monitor the Conversation:
Twitter chat tools allow you to follow the coversation without being bombarded by other unrelated tweets. They are neccessasy as following a conversation with Twitter’s main page is very difficult. Also Check out the list of 10 Free Twitter Chat Tools To Facilitate Monitoring Conversations on Twitter.

Step 3: Follow the Twitter Chat Basics:
Now, since you’ve indentified the hashtag for your community and the Twitter chat tool that works best for you. Start communicating, login to Twitter and your Twitter chat tool at the appropriate date and time and there you go.
Twitter chats are different, some of them insist that people discuss specific topics or questions, I’ve seen some Twitter chats with guest experts leading a discussion and answearing questions, All you must do is to follow the rules of these chats and stay on topic as many chats have a moderator to help guide and facilitate the discussion. Don’t be a weirdo and ask something that makes no sense to the people in the chat.

That’s it! With Twitter chats, even beginners can participate in expert chats!

Good luck and I hope to tweet with everyone of you in a Twitter chat in the future
- Oussama

Tweetchat

Tweetchat, a web-based interface, recently made some upgrades and you can use the upgraded version or old one. Login to tweetchat with your Twitter username and password. Once your login has been authenticated with Twitter, enter the hashtag. This will take you to the tweetchat room with your custom Twitter background where you’ll be able to follow the conversation. Tweetchat settings allow you to pause the chat, set the refresh rate, and feature or block specific users. Each tweet you enter into the box will automatically be tagged with the official hashtag. Note: If your username is not showing up in Tweetchat, contact the developers and let them know. (Tweetchat is my personal favorite.)

Tweetgrid

Tweetgrid, a web-based dashboard that allows you to search and view up to nine different hashtags at once. Unlike other Twitter chat tools, you do not need a Twitter account to follow a conversation but you will not be able to tweet without a Twitter account. Open Tweetgrid, choose a grid layout, enter your username, password, hashtag, and enter your tweet in tweet box. Tweetgrid offers settings, photos and DM. If you’re following more than one conversation, you’ll have to enter the hashtag in the appropriate box each time each time you tweet.

Tweetdeck

You’ll have to download this free application to your desktop in order to use. Once downloaded, you’ll need to set one column to search the hashtag by clicking on the magnifying glass and entering the hashtag. You can move that column to the right or left in your Tweetdeck dashboard. You can also change the settings such as background color, font color, refresh rates, etc. Each time you tweet for the specific conversation, you’ll need to add the hashtag. (I use Tweetdeck as my normal Twitter interface and keep columns for following specific hashtags open always. That way I can connect with people in those communities outside of the scheduled Tweet chats.)

Twubs

A newer web-based interface that integrates a variety of media including photos and videos. Unlike tweetchat, tweetgrid and monitter, it also incorporates a URL shortening tool. Sign in to Twubs with your username and password, and enter the hashtag. Twubs automatically adds the hashtags to your tweets, allows you to filter users and has real time refreshing. Twubs also has a widget that you can embed on your website or blog.

Monitter

A web-based interface that allows you to follow up to three hashtags at once. You can only tweet to @replies or send retweets, and you’ll have to enter your username, password and hashtag each time you send a tweet. (This is my least favorite of all the Twitter chat tools.)

WhatTheHashtag (wtHashtag)

A web-based user-editable encyclopedia for hashtags; wiki of registered hashtags. This interface includes a variety of information about specific Twitter chats including a description, schedule and moderator, planned topic queue, stats and top contributors, the ability to view and save a transcript of tweets within a certain date and view the Twitter chat via Monitter. You cannot tweet from wtHashtag. Tip: If you want to know what a specific hashtag stands for, follow wtHashtag. Once they are following you, DM them the hashtag and they’ll reply with the definition on file.

RSS Feeds

If you like reading feeds, you can grab a feed for your hashtag group in Twitter search. Enter the hashtag and then copy the link in “Feed for this query” into your feed reader. Using RSS feeds, you can’t participate in the discussion and send tweets, but you can follow the chat.

TweeTree

Web-based interface that monitors hashtags. Login with username, password and enter hashtag in search function. TweeTree pulls in some additional content like photos, videos, blog posts of some approved vendors so that you can see the link’s content in your stream without clicking the link. You’ll have to remember to add the hashtag to your tweets when participating in the discussion in TweeTree.

Roomatic

Web-based dashboard. Login with user name, password and enter hashtag. You’ll see the tweets in a horizontal grid format with a very small font. Roomatic does not have any settings that you can change to make the font size bigger or change the refresh rate. It does automatically include the hashtag of tweets. You cannot send a reply or DM through Roomatic.

Twemes

Web-based interface that lets you follow hashtag and conversation. You cannot tweet from Twemes.

One great Twitter application I use in order to remmember the users I spoke to them is TwtBizCard.

TwtBizCard allows you to exchange Business card with fellow Twitter users. All you need to do is to access their website www.twtbizcard.com and create your own business card.

Sending a business card to your fellow users is very simple, just add #twtbizcard to a @reply!

I think this is a great application. Pretty useful during Tweetup or social media networking event. And its environmental friendly too. Your privacy is also protected. If you didn’t send someone your TwtBizCard, the person won’t be able to see your address, phone number and email.

Give TwtBizCard a try now and start sending your own business card!

New features and improvements:

• Rank: It’s getting more accurate over time, more parameters are taken into account.
• New sidebar with related content:
o Top-ranked related Twitter users containing the searched keyword on their bio (taken from Tweepfind.com)
o Related content from other blogs/website: Mashable, Techcrunch, R&W Web, CNN, NY Times, Venturebeat, Techmeme, BBC, Google News
o Latest related content from Friendfeed
o Related content from YouTube
• Google (and Bing soon) search immediately available for the same keywords and results enriched with thumbnails.

Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments!

The Twitter invasion is here. True, Twitter has been here for a while now, but the hype is finally topping the scales.
Everybody who’s anybody has entered the exciting world of microblogging and is expanding their network. Many are professing to be that expert or guru in order to increase their follower block.

Outrageous “get rich quick” schemes are becoming commonplace. Spammers have found a new haven. Or have they? True, Twitter is a groundbreaking communication technology that is here to stay. But from personal observation, far too many tweeters are missing the point.

At the turn of the century, many people were so intrigued with the rise of the Internet that they granted it the status of mysterious, almost magical. The possibilities seemed limitless. Open up any kind of online store, become a millionaire.
Easily. And then…the bubble popped. Don’t get me wrong - Twitter definitely has the potential to grow with stability and avoid the bubble-popping madness that followed the rise of the Internet age. But for that to happen, Tweeters must recognize that Twitter has no inherent fairy dust or special sauce. The same business rules apply that have always applied. Don’t just be there to be heard. Interact. Provide real value. Help others (and that entails more than simply mentioning it in your bio).

If you want your brand (either personal or corporate) to have a significant and growing presence on Twitter, send occassional direct messages that aren’t automated. Retweet interesting tweets. Thank others for their retweets. Be human, and don’t profess to be the all-knowing expert or guru that everyone else professes to be. And for pete’s sake, don’t promise people you’ll help them earn $20,000 from one tweet or help them double their followers in an hour.

Speaking of increasing followers, don’t get caught up in the hype. Most of those 20,000 followers other people have are either spammers or “experts” seeking nothing more than to increase their own pool of followers. You want an audience, not followers. Look for those who have a few hundred followers or less. Those are the people who will actually read and appreciate your tweets and will be much more likely to retweet them.

Just like any successful business practice, a successful Twitter campaign is focused on relationships, reciprocity, and respect. The rules really haven’t changed.

In this situation I can, and only recommend you to use this AMAZING application for Twitter called “eXTweet”. Emil N, the developper of this application is a nice person who gave me the opportunity to test and review his software, and the only thing I can tell while watching my followers count increasing is “WOOW”
The automatic following/unfollowing features found in this software allow you to follow a bunch of people with 1 click. If your Twitter profile looks like this:

And you would like it to be more like this one:

Then eXTweet is the best choice for you!

How Does It Work? And What Tips Can you Share With Us?
Basically, when you follow someone, a notification is sent to him automatically telling him that “you” are following him, 95% of people check the profile of their new followers, and since you have something interesting to talk about they follow you back! And that’s the point of networking.

Simply, eXTweet allow you to follow lots of people at once. It’s as simple as you enter someone’s followers page and you follow all his followers, and wait till they follow you back. But wait what if they didn’t follow you, like that there will be no 1:1 ratio of the number of people that you follow, versus how many are following you. No problem, there comes Mr.Help! The unfollow feature is used to clear the rest of the people that haven’t followed you back.

I recommend you to wait at least 24 hours before using the unfollow feature, people won’t follow you back at the same second you followed them. Also eXTweet has a built in feature to make your own VIP list, and as well as choose which of the people that follow you, need to be protected from getting unfollowed.

Unfortunately the application is not for free, but still you can download your free 45-minute trial now! I can guarantee that the program will 100% work for you. And will push you to buy the full version. Buy it NOW with this limited time offer for only $47 + TwitterTipsCenter will give you a $5 Cashback to your Paypal Account!!! (Make sure you buy it from the link below)

Free Trial:

Full Version:

Also check the video tutorials below to help you:
1. Using Account Management to sign in to your Twitter Account.

2. Using the Auto Follow feature.

3. Using the Auto Unfollow feature.

*Watch the next version of the program which will contain a new feature that allows you to import a list of followers who will 100% follow you back! (TwitterTipsCenter.com will take care of gathering the followers)

The application has been reviewed by:

One important thing I’ve mentioned in a previous post “How To Promote Your Twitter Page To Increase Your Followers Count” is a good page design. The design is really important to create a good first impression. So I’m helping you with FREE Twitter background (.PSD format) I’ve designed today. Hope you like them, and feel free to customize them to your liking, and share them with your friends.

If you have any questions, be sure to drop me a message @TwitTipsCenter or use the contact page, and I’ll be sure to respond ASAP.

Note: Don’t remove the copyrights :p

Background 1:

Background 2:

Background 3:

Background 4:

Background 5:

Background 6:

I’d love to hear your opinions Which one is better ?

Good luck
- Oussama

Twitter (Twitter reviews) celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Oprah now carry the button. Those wishing to apply for verified status can visit the verified accounts help page, which explains:

With this feature, you can easily see which accounts we know are ‘real’ and authentic. That means we’ve been in contact with the person or entity the account is representing and verified that it is approved. (This does not mean we have verified who, exactly, is writing the tweets.)

This also does not mean that accounts without the ‘Verified Account’ badge are fake. The vast majority of accounts on the system are not impersonators, and we don’t have the ability to check 100% of them. For now, we’ve only verified a handful of accounts to help with cases of mistaken identity or impersonation.

The feature has been a long time coming, and many celebrities will jump on the opportunity to prove their legitimacy. It’ll also solve the entrenched problem of celebrity impersonations, which are confusing for users and unwelcome by those being impersonated. Businesses, however, will have to wait: the feature has not been rolled out to corporate entities yet.

Who is Verified on Twitter? Let Us Know

Who is verified and who is not, you ask? At first glance it would appear that only celebrities and those with large followings are included - please do post the names of verified users in the comments and we’ll compile a collaborative list.

Thanks for your attention
- Oussama

• People rarely reply to auto-DMs: Twitter is about networking with real people and not robots, autoresponses are kind of impersonal.
• “Check me out!”: This is what I usually receive to my Direct Messages inbox, I find no reason why people send it, if I’m following you, it’s because I already checked you out and you’re follow worthy. What’s the point of the auto-DM then ?
• Be a little bit serious: I receive this message sometimes “We’re going to be a good friends” Obviously they have no idea who they’re talking to, I immediately unfollow them.
• There are alternatives: If you’re sending the auto-DM to build relationships, or spark conversation, there are better ways to.
• Who’s gonna be the next follower? : If you’re using Twitter for two - or more types of chat (i.e personal and business chat), you don’t know why exactly the follower is following you, your message needs to appeal to everyone.
• Spamming: It’s always considered as spam when you include a link to your website, people will definitely unfollow you, Twitter is not a direct mail marketing model.
• BarackObama: The president of the United States isn’t using it. (Right, I’m joking )

What do you think? Is sending an auto-DM a good practice? Yes, No and why ?

Thank you for you attention
- Oussama

In my opinion, everything has advantages and consequences. Same for using Twitter, it has a positive and a negative influence on our creativity.

Positivies:
• The 140 character limit is a creativity challenge for every blogger, it will definitely help you free up your writing style enormously. If you’re creative enough the character limit will proove it and it won’t hinder your work at all.
• Using Twitter the good way will open your eyes to new ideas as people consider it as a network of interesting conversations, and this will definitely improve your creative work.
• Even if you’re not talking, you can just listen to others and learn new things and instantly connect to tutorials and articles and stuff. The more you learn the more you improve your creativity.
• Twitter is a great place to ask questions and get feedback on your ideas.

Negatives:
• You learn a lot but you quickly forget, you have no time to implement.
• It might take time out of your day that could be spent somewhere else more creatively.
• Twitter makes you produce much content, which means you’re spending much time on the quantity not the quality.

Finally I’d like to hear from you on this topic and vote on the poll below
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Thanks for you attention.
- Oussama