Jul
7
Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find
12 Days of Twitter :: Day 6
(What the heck are the 12 days of Twitter?)
Why should you use Twitter Search?
For a lot of people, using Twitter is about connecting with other people. One of the best ways to find people to connect to who have similar interests, is Twitter Search. It lets you track a keyword (or keywords), and will show you all the tweets from everywhere in the world that include that keyword. Let’s take a look at two main reasons you might want to use Twitter Search.
In today’s example, you’re a software developer. It’s a good thing to imagine being, even if you can’t code! 
You’ve just released an application called Banana Seeds that makes it possible for skateboard store owners to create custom iPhone app so their customers can see what skateboards are in stock. You’re getting great feedback via email from your customers, but you want to know what people are saying about it on Twitter so you can provide better customer service and respond to complaints as well as complements. You set up a Twitter Search using Boolean search for “Banana AND Seeds”. To understand Boolean search better, click here. You’ll now see every tweet about your software, and you can respond to comments quickly and easily, and hopefully build a loyal customer base.
Now, let’s switch gears and imagine you’re someone who just loves skateboarding. You spend time reading skateboarding news, you watch 64mm whenever a new episode is released, and you write a blog about skateboarding. You want to connect with other people who love skateboarding, so you set up a Twitter Search. Immediately, you can see thousands of people around the world who have a common interest. When someone says something interesting and you have something interesting to say back to them, hit the reply button and start a conversation.
How to use Twitter Search
I explained on an earlier post how to use Twitter Search in TweetDeck, a desktop application (watch the video for a demonstration). To summarize, most desktop applications will have the ability to add a search. Find that feature and search for your keyword. If the subject you’re interested in is two or more words, like “Harry Potter,” I suggest adding two searches. One, a Boolean Search like I talked about above – “Harry AND Potter.” Two, put the two words together – “HarryPotter.” Making two words one will ensure you grab any hashtags about the subject.
If you’re not using a separate application for Twitter, you can search directly from the Twitter website. Look for the Search box on the right side of the page. If you want to keep coming back to the search to get updates, click on “Save this Search.” Your searches will be saved directly under the search box.
For more advanced searches, you can head on over to search.twitter.com.
UPDATE 7/7/09: If you’re interested in finding people or events happening locally to you, just enter the search “location:Dallas”, and of course change out “Dallas” to your city or state.
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 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 for Prizes and Profit
Day 12: Schedule Tweets in Advance
