MASTERING TWITTER (OR X): 23 INNOVATIVE HACKS YOU SHOULD HAVE IN YOUR ARSENAL
BY HEIDI MCIVOR ALLEN
Being well-versed in the right Twitter hacks can provide a significant edge. And let’s not forget the added bonus of appearing like a digital wizard in your workplace. With Twitter turning into X it is becoming a hot topic currently.
Navigating the swiftly evolving Twittersphere (or perhaps the X-sphere these days) demands a firm grasp on the right Twitter hacks, providing a substantial advantage.
Interestingly, only 43% of marketers presently promote their businesses on Twitter, suggesting untapped market potential. Equipping yourself with a handful of strategies can streamline your efforts, enabling you to make the most of each opportunity. Additionally, these hacks not only enhance your productivity but also grant you a touch of wizardry within your workplace.
10 TWITTER HACKS FOR BETTER TWEETS
1. ADD EMOJIS FROM YOUR DESKTOP
Incorporating emojis into your tweets is a well-established method for boosting engagement, although locating them on desktops can be somewhat challenging. Give this workaround a shot to access the emoji menu on Macs.
Here’s how to do it:
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2. BEAT THE 280 CHARACTER LIMIT WITH AN IMAGE
If your message exceeds Twitter’s 280-character constraint and you’re reluctant to opt for Twitter Blue subscription, opting for an image could be a viable alternative. This is precisely where the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” holds true. However, we wouldn’t advise sharing a novella-length message through tweets.
While capturing a screenshot of a note on your phone is an option, it might not present a polished appearance, especially for crucial company announcements. Taking the effort to craft a visual graphic not only elevates the presentation but also provides an opportunity for branding integration.
By doing so, even if the image is disseminated independently from the tweet, proper attribution remains intact.
Don’t Forget to Edit Alt Text When Using a Twitter Image
When employing the Twitter image technique, ensure to incorporate an image description, also known as alt text. This practice guarantees that the image content is accessible to individuals with visual impairments and those reliant on assistive tools. Twitter’s alt text allowance is 1,000 characters.
Here’s how to execute it:
- Compose your tweet.
- Attach an image.
- Select "Add description."
- Complete the description field.
- Confirm by clicking "Save."
3. STRING TWEETS TOGETHER WITH A THREAD
An alternative method to convey a message that surpasses the 280-character limit is by utilizing a thread. Just to clarify, we’re not referring to Zuckerberg’s recent Threads app.
Twitter threads are sequences of interconnected tweets designed to prevent them from becoming obscured or misconstrued.
How to do it:
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When you have finished adding all the tweets you’d like included in your thread, click the Post All button to post.
4. EDIT YOUR TWEET
Using Twitter Blue, you now have the capability to edit your tweets. After you’ve clicked on “Post,” you’re granted a window of up to 1 hour to tap the undo button and make modifications to your tweet.
Keep in mind, though, that the edited tweets and their revision histories remain viewable. If you’re implementing a significant alteration (or undergoing a complete shift in opinion), it might be advisable to opt for deleting the original tweet and then reposting the updated version.
5. SCHEDULE TWEETS TO SAVE TIME
Effective social media strategies hinge on meticulously designed content calendars. Moreover, if your content is already meticulously arranged, the act of scheduling your tweets can streamline your workflow and enhance organizational efficiency.
When it comes to social media scheduling tools, we might be a little partial. Below, you’ll find step-by-step directions for executing this task using Hootsuite:
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6. PIN A TWEET TO YOUR PROFILE
Equating to adorning your locker with stickers, pinning a tweet to your profile is akin to a mature version of personalization. Positioned right at the pinnacle of your profile, the pinned tweet offers a glimpse into the 280 characters you’ve placed on a pedestal.
How to do it:
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7. HIGHLIGHT A TWEET ON YOUR PROFILE (TWITTER BLUE EXCLUSIVE
In place of affixing tweets to the apex of your profile, you have the option to incorporate them into your Highlights. This feature is reserved for Twitter Blue users, necessitating a subscription to access.
Situated at the uppermost section of your profile, the highlights tab serves as a repository for your finest tweets. Think of it as somewhat analogous to Instagram Story highlights.
8. UNROLL A THREAD
9. EMBED A TWEET
Embedding tweets into your website or blog through embedding is frequently a superior choice compared to utilizing screen captures. Screen captures lack responsiveness and is incompatible with screen readers. Additionally, embedded tweets offer a more polished and visually appealing appearance.
Here’s how to do it:
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10. USE TWITTER KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS ON DESKTOP
- New Message: M
- Scroll Home feed (previous tweet): J
- Scroll Home feed (next tweet): K
- Refresh Home feed to see new tweets: . (period!)
- Like a tweet: L
- Write a new tweet: N
- Post tweet: Control + Enter on PC / Command + Return on Mac
- Favorite current tweet: F
- Retweet selected tweet: T
- Open the topic page of the current tweet: Enter (Return on Mac)
- Home Feed: G + H
- Mentions: G + R
- Notifications: G + N
- DMs: G + M
- Your profile: G + P
- Search for a profile in the search bar: G + U
- Likes: G + L
- Settings: G + S
7 TWITTER INTERACTION & ENGAGEMENT HACKS
1. TWEET AT THE BEST TIME
If you tweet but nobody reads it, does it truly count?
To ensure your tweet reaches a broad audience, aim to post when your target demographic is most active online.
According to Hootsuite’s research, the optimal times to tweet are 7:00 AM PST on Mondays and 10:00 AM PST on Wednesdays. Consistently tweeting around these time frames is advised, and Twitter Analytics can assist in fine-tuning your posting schedule.
A valuable Twitter strategy, found right within Hootsuite, deserves a mention. Let’s save the applause for the conclusion.
By utilizing the scheduling feature, the platform automatically suggests the prime posting times for your specific audience. It even employs AI to predict suitable hashtags. Our contribution to fostering a more vibrant Twitterverse.
2. RETWEETS
Prolong the longevity of your top-performing tweets through retweeting. However, exercise caution not to overuse this strategy. It’s essential to ensure that the content you’re retweeting holds evergreen value, and it’s most effective when performed well after the original tweet has faded from memory.
Furthermore, retweeting content from other individuals, particularly those within your follower base, can foster audience allegiance. When these retweets align with your brand’s relevance, they offer a straightforward means of sharing content without the need to generate it from scratch.
3. SAVE TWEETS FOR LATER WITH BOOKMARKS
Have you found yourself doom-scrolling around 3 AM, stumbling upon a tweet you’d like to share at a more reasonable hour? But then, once your alarm sounds, the tweet is nowhere to be found amidst the Twitterverse? We’ve been there as well.
However, there’s a way to avoid this predicament.
4. ORGANIZE YOUR FEED WITH LISTS
Whether you manage a personal or business Twitter account, your reasons for following individuals probably vary. Organizing your followers into distinct categories using Lists simplifies the task of tracking trends, gauging customer sentiments, and more.
However, keep in mind that when you include someone in a public List, Twitter sends them a notification. Hence, unless you’re comfortable with that level of disclosure, ensure your List is configured as private.
How to do it:
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5. TRACK COMPETITORS WITHOUT FOLLOWING THEM
A nifty aspect of Lists: following an account isn’t a prerequisite for adding them to your List. If you want to monitor your competitors, establish a private List and include them as necessary.
Moreover, for monitoring keywords, brand mentions, or competitor names across the expansive online landscape, you can harness the power of Brandwatch by Hootsuite.
6. SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLIC LISTS
No need to start from scratch with Lists. If another account has curated an impressive collection of Twitter users you wish to monitor, all you have to do is click on the subscribe button.
To access someone’s Lists, just go to their profile, tap on the More icon located in the upper right corner (three dots), and then choose View Lists.
7. FIND OUT WHOSE LISTS YOU’RE ON
Check what Lists you’re on so you can better understand how people perceive your brand. Obviously, you’ll only be able to see public Lists.
How to do it:
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6 TWITTER DATA & SETTING HACKS
1. DOWNLOAD YOUR TWITTER DATA
Generate a copy of your account’s tweets by submitting a request to Twitter for your complete archive. Storing social media data archives might become essential for compliance purposes, particularly if you belong to a government entity or operate within a tightly regulated industry.
How to do it:
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2. GIVE YOUR EYES A REST WITH TWITTER’S DARK MODE
Referred to as “night mode,” Twitter’s dark mode feature is crafted to provide a more comfortable visual experience in dimly lit surroundings.
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3. CHANGE YOUR TWITTER COLORS
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4. ENABLE DATA SAVER MODE
Ever experienced a Wi-Fi outage, yet the urge to tweet persists? If you’re keeping a watchful eye on your data consumption, data saver mode might be your solution.
To lower Twitter’s data usage, implement the following steps. Keep in mind that with this mode activated, videos and photos will display as previews until loaded. If you wish to view images in high quality, simply tap and hold the image.
How to do it on mobile:
- Head to the navigation bar, then tap Settings and privacy.
- Under General, tap Data usage. You can also search for Data usage within Settings.
- Tap the toggle next to Data saver to turn on.
How to do it on desktop:
- Head to the navigation bar.
- Tap Settings and Support.
- Tap Settings and privacy.
- Tap Accessibility, display, and languages.
- Tap Data saver and click the box.
5. USE ADVANCED SETTINGS TO REFINE YOUR SEARCH
Take advantage of Twitter’s advanced search settings to narrow down your results.
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6. TRY SEARCH OPERATORS TO FILTER RESULTS
How To Change The "X" Icon Back To The Twitter Icon
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First, run an image search for the Twitter logo you want to use, then hold down to save to photo library.
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