Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter
Posted on: July 9, 2009Author: Cali Lewis
15 comments so far
12 Days of Twitter :: Day 8
(What the heck are the 12 days of Twitter?)
So far on the 12 Days of Twitter series, I’ve blogged about the how-tos and the don’t dos. I’d like to take a break from anything that looks like rules and show you five awesome things you can do with Twitter that might surprise you.
1) Did You Know You Can Automatically Tweet New Blog Posts?
If you’re a WordPress blogger, TwitterTools is my favorite WordPress plugin for Twitter. It gives you the option in each post to automatically post a link to Twitter when you hit the Publish button.
Step 1: Install and activate the Plugin (directions here)
Step 2: Update the settings
It’ll even give you the option of adding your tweets as a post on your blog. Take a look at all the options. It has a lot of potential.
2) Did You Know You Can Track a Package via Twitter?
To receive Direct Message updates on a FedEx, UPS, DHL or USPS package, start by following Twitter user TrackThis. Once they follow you back, you’ll be able to send a DM to TrackThis with your tracking number. Whenever your package reaches a new destination, you’ll get an update.
Step 1: Follow TrackThis
Step 2: Send a Direct Message with the tracking number, followed by a nickname for the package. Example: “D trackthis 09356676312 Kindle”
3) Did You Know You Can Use Twitter to Update Google Calendar?
You can connect your Twitter account and your Google Calendar to add events to your calendar by Direct Message. It’s like having a personal assistant!
Step 1: Follow the instructions at Twittercal.com to get set up
Step 2: Send a Direct Message to gcal to enter a new calendar appointment. Example: “D gcal meeting with John P at Twisted Root on Saturday July 10 at 1:00 PM”
4) Did You Know You Can Use Twitter as an Alarm Clock?
You can use Twitter as a way to get reminders for appointments, phone calls, etc. Start by following Twitter user Timer. Once they follow you back, you’ll be able to send a DM to Timer with your request. When it’s time for your appointment, you’ll get a reminder. It will work best if you turn on SMS updates for Timer so you actually get audibly pinged when you’re away from your computer.
Step 1: Follow Timer
Step 2: Send a Direct Message. Include when you want the reminder (30 minutes from now) and the message for yourself. Example: “D timer 30 Go to Fry’s”
In 30 minutes, you’ll receive a Direct Message with a reminder to “go to Fry’s”.
5) Did You Know You Can Visually See What Your Friends are Doing?
TwitterForBusyPeople.com gives you a more visual view of your friends on Twitter. If you don’t have time to read all the tweets from everyone, let yourself browse by viewing just the latest tweet from people by hovering over their picture. It’s broken up into people who have tweeted in the last hour, the last day, or more than a day ago.
It’s a pretty awesome way to browse through tweets!
I have to give a shout out to Amit Agarwal from Digital Inspiration. He has even more tips in his very amazing Twitter Guide.
Read More
Introduction to the 12 Days of Twitter
Day 1: The Secret Code: What are all those initials and symbols?
Day 2: Use TweetDeck to Manage Conversations
Day 3: Share Your Funny Anecdotes While They’re Still Funny
Day 4: Follow Responsibly
Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters
Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find
Day 7: Twitter Mobile
Day 9: Mix it Up!
Day 10: If You’re Not a TweetDeck, You Might Be a Seesmic
Day 11: Twitter for Prizes and Profit
Day 12: Schedule Tweets in Advance
« Twitter Mobile
Mix It Up! »
July 9th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
[...] Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Previous Post« Use TweetDeck to Manage Conversations Next PostFollow Responsibly [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
[...] Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Previous Post« Twitter Porn and Spam? Next PostShare Your Funny Anecdotes While [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
[...] Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Previous Post« 12 Days of Twitter Next PostTwitter Porn and Spam? [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Did You Know You Can Automatically Tweet New Blog Posts?
Using twitterfeed you can do this with ANY blog which generates an RSS feed.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:37 am
TwitterForBusyPeople.com is pretty awesome thanks cali
July 10th, 2009 at 4:04 am
TwitterForBusyPeople.com is good, but it can’t show you friends who aren’t public.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Fantastic, Cali! I had no idea about the gcal and Timer functions. Those will be put to use, no doubt, before day’s end.
You’re the best!
-Sean
July 10th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Thanks for the mention Cali. I’m sure happy that people are finding this tool useful.
True what Michael says about it not showing non-public friends. We will add authentication (as an option) soon to remedy that!
Also, a “hidden feature” – hold “shift” while hovering over a friend’s avatar!
Cheers!
-Glenn (author of TwitterForBusyPeople)
July 10th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
[...] Funny Day 4: Follow Responsibly Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix it Up! Previous Post« Follow Responsibly Next PostUse Twitter Search to Connect [...]
July 10th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
[...] Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix it Up! Previous Post« Look! Hayden Panettiere has a Kindle Next PostThe Secret [...]
July 12th, 2009 at 9:18 am
[...] Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix it Up! Day 10: If You’re Not a TweetDeck, You Might Be a Seesmic Previous [...]
July 12th, 2009 at 9:20 am
[...] Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix it Up! Day 10: If You’re Not a TweetDeck, You Might Be a Seesmic Previous [...]
July 12th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
[...] Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix It Up! Day 11: Twitter for Prizes and Profit Previous Post« Mix It Up! Next [...]
July 12th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
[...] Funny Day 4: Follow Responsibly Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix it Up! Day 10: If You’re Not a TweetDeck, You Might Be a Seesmic Day 11: Twitter [...]
July 13th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
In response to Twitter tools I can’t get past the configuration. Every time I tell It my twitter credentials and do a check, Twitter says authentication required. Nothing in the docs addresses this and my cry for help so far has gone unnoticed.