January 03, 2014

How To Use Twitter to Reach God's People - Janis Cox




For the past two months I have purposefully worked to learn more about Twitter.

I questioned:
Why do we need it?
How can I glorify God through this?
As I started to experiment, I realized 4 important facts:
  • People do read 140 characters.
  • People will ReTweet (RT) your messages.
  • People can be brought together.
  • Twitter can be a powerful method for evangelism and conversation.

However, because Twitter is so huge, messages can get lost in all the chatter. It is necessary to find one another to spread the Good News.

For this reason Inscribe has chosen #ICwriters as their own Hashtag. Hashtags are made with the # symbol in front of words so they are easily searchable (even in Facebook).

If you are not on Twitter, I urge you to sign up. It is easy. Follow this Twitter link.

I believe if we all pull together on this we can make a strong vibrant community for Christ.

Here is an example of a Tweet with a Hashtag: (This link is Tweetable if you click on it)
http://ow.lysc950 How to Use Twitter to Reach God's People #ICwriters Can we use Twitter to glorify God? @InscribeCWF
Whenever we use #ICwriters, others can search and then ReTweet. Also I have been asked to try look after @InscribeCWF Twitter. I will be RTing all the #ICwriters through Inscribe.

So anytime you have made a post or want to connect with other Inscribers use the #ICwriters and it will be sent out.

This feature can look like a web.



Do you see the possibilities?


Whenever you write a Tweet, use #ICwriters and let's see how we can build a Twitter #ICwriters community and spread God's Word.

If you have questions please email Janis. icwriterscanada [at] gmail [dot] com.

For other posts on basic Twitter instructions see the following:


Personally I use the following Hashtags if you are interested:
#UTCOP - Under the Cover of Prayer
#john316books - John 3:16 Network to which I belong
#SundayStillness - a blog page with linky so others who write about God's Word can join in


Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator
Janis Cox, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.
Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.


19 comments:

  1. Thank you for doing this, Janis! You have some very practical helps here - I will be back later for another visit!
    Pam

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  2. Pam
    Would love to know your Twitter Handle. Please check back and let's get together.
    Blessings,
    Janis www.janiscox.coom

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Janis, this lays on me like a weighty shroud. Every time I approach new technology or social media platforms I feel as though I'm climbing out of the boat and into the bog.

    However! My agency is now branching into social media marketing, and I have no choice but to get going on Twitter.

    Your post and links are a Godsend for me today. I don't pretend to like it, but then the Lord never said everything will be easy. Big Breath! I am off to set up a Twitter account. I will let you know when I have one.

    (I wonder if @mywitsend is taken? LOL)

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  4. Thanks for linking us all together, Janis. To God's glory!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks, Janis! I'm @janetsketchley if you're keeping a list.

    Bobbi -- I'm sure @mywitsend has been taken, but what a great idea!

    For everyone setting up on Twitter: In all seriousness, when choosing a Twitter "handle" pick one that you won't want to change later. Cute and funny sounds great, but as writers, our names are our brands. That means even picking our first book title isn't good, because we have to rebuild recognition for book 2.

    Kristen Lamb has some ebooks with a lot of great, basic teaching. Some of it's already dated (like MySpace) but the principles are sound and valid. This is one of the points she makes, about the name. And if your name is taken or is too long, you can use a variant. Name first, add a number or "author". She went with KristenLambTX (guess where she's from?). Or if it's a long name, go with first initial or something.

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  6. Janis,

    A great post. I haven't ventured into Twitter as my 'new learning curve' plate is piled high at present.

    However, at some point, it is my desire to get tweeting, so I shall keep your helpful post handy.

    You are a blessing, Janis, to our group! Thanks for this info.

    ReplyDelete
  7. thanks to all,
    And Janet - yes I forgot to mention use your name or as close to your name - even backwards as you can. or put in your middle initial.
    mine is @authorjaniscox That way people know right away I am an author.
    Thanks for the comments.
    Let's get together.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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  8. Thanks, jan. I'll try to remember to do this when I tweet. My handle is @MarciaLaycock
    :)M

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  9. Okay. I have read through the links you posted, Janis. (Very helpful!)
    I have read the comments above. (Also helpful!)
    I have made notes.
    I have some possible user names.
    I have noted the names of all of you in this comment thread.

    And now I will take a nap.

    I'll keep you posted! (Or, hopefully, Tweeted!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Okay. I have read through the links you posted, Janis. (Very helpful!)
    I have read the comments above. (Also helpful!)
    I have made notes.
    I have some possible user names.
    I have noted the names of all of you in this comment thread.

    And now I will take a nap.

    I'll keep you posted! (Or, hopefully, Tweeted!)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Janis, thanks for taking on the challenge of the InScribe Twitter account. Your post was informational and encouraging. I'm excited to see where we're at on Twitter a year from now :)

    I decided not to use my name for my Twitter handle, just because I'm already limited to 140 characters and Ruth Snyder is a very common name. I use @wwjdr (an acronym for "What Would Jesus Do, Ruth?) It's a great reminder to me to be careful what I say/do on Twitter.

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  12. I did it! @BobbiJunior1
    I'm sure everyone is as excited as I am!
    (Brenda, it took about 1 hr of reading through Janis's links, and 1/2 an hour of setting up. Not bad at all.)

    Thx for the help Janis. I couldn't have done it, otherwise!

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  13. Great to read all your comments. I did make a mistake for Ruth's Twitter Handle - but now it is fixed. WWJDR... Now I will remember it Ruth.
    And Bobbi I am so excited for you. I will be tweeting you soon. Click on search and then put #ICWriters and then click on each picture of people you know and then follow them. They will follow you back.

    Marcia - I have your Twitter Handle.
    Now I am waiting for those connections.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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  14. Good and comprehensive info, Janis - thanks!

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  15. Thanks for this post, Janis, and Bobbi, your comments are very amusing to read :)

    My Twitter handle is @honeyfromdahive, which closely matches the tag for my personal blog.

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  16. Thank you, Janis! How timely to read your post today, after a speaker at work encouraged us to get onto Twitter for our school community! I am so glad you are helping us get started and I look forward to learning more.

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  17. LIke Brenda, I must say, "My 'new learning curve' plate is piled high. . . and my learning curve starts further back than Brenda's when it comes to technology. But I too appreciate and admire what you are doing for InScribers with Twitter.

    And please don't give up on us who aren't ready for this yet.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi all,
    Once again I am amazed with the comments. I have no problem at all helping any of you who want to know more. Just email me at ICwritersCanada@gmail.com.

    I think it is great we can start more connections this way. Now I have to keep all the names straight.

    Just remember to use #ICwriters in your tweets and it makes everything so much easier.

    Blessings,
    Janis

    ReplyDelete

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