I wrote this post originally for Spinsucks.com and it became one of their “Top 10 Posts of 2010″
If you’ve been on Twitter a while, you’re probably stuck in a rut. We all know we’re supposed to engage, share links to valuable information, and re-tweet others. What else is there?
If you want to spice up your Twitter feed, here are 15 ideas to get you going:
1. Twitpic something – Photos of you and other Twitter friends, a painting you like, almost anything will do. A picture is worth a thousand words, or in Twitter’s case, 140 characters.
2. Events – #Hashtag a conference you’re heading to and you can meet someone new even before you get there. Sometimes the most powerful thing about social networking is taking it to the next step – and meeting in person.
3. Comments on a story – Leaving a thoughtful comment on a reporter’s or blogger’s story, then tweeting it out and spreading the word, may help you get that media attention you’ve been seeking. You might just be a source for their next story.
4. All your favorite blogs, all at once – Create a My Alltop page with all the blogs you follow and tweet it out. Building this page also gives you a great resource for interesting links to share.
5. Ask a question – Promote discussion and different perspectives and you’ll get to know who’s in your community better.
6. Ask for help – Whether you’re fixing a technical snafu on your blog or hiring someone for your team, try asking your community for help. You’ll be surprised at the speed and quality of response you’ll get.
7. Be helpful – Tweet a cause or charity and how people can help out. You can create a ripple effect to change the world, one tweet at a time.
8. Share your opinion – Go ahead, let it out! Especially if you can share a lesson about business, customer service, or whatever expertise you have, that your followers don’t.
9. #FollowFridays, #ThankfulThursdays – Promote another brand or person unabashedly. It’s a great way to introduce some of your favorite people and get known as a connector.
10. Share your success – Yes, there is a “ME” in Social MEdia. As long as you don’t go over the top, people are more than happy to congratulate you. Do the same for others.
11. Announcements – Speaking at a conference? Launching a new product? Writing a book? Tell others as you go along and build up anticipation at the same time.
12. Groupon, giveaways, and discounts – Share the news and the savings. Everybody loves deals.
13. Foursquare – Tweet where you are at the moment and maybe a Twitter friend you’ve been wanting to meet is at the exact same location. Meet up!
14. Be quotable – Who doesn’t love an inspiring quote? Share some life wisdom with others and remember: “Be Yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” (Oscar Wilde)
15. Share a video – A funny video or your favorite song can add personality to your account. Here’s one of my all-time faves: 8 Irresistible Principles of Fun.
Still stuck? Then tweet about your loves – have fun with Twitter and share your passions. We can never, ever, have enough of that.
What else do you like to tweet about? Post them in the comments below. You can also send me a tweet on Twitter or post a comment on my Facebook page.
Image by SashaWolff
Elena is founder of a technology PR agency that works with startups to billion-dollar companies. She is passionate about helping marketers and small business owners with practical publicity strategies.
Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe now and get new posts either via RSS feed or your email. Please click on the RSS button below or type your primary email address below and click "Subscribe."
And more 
Thanks for the great article – what advice do you have for not overdoing it on twitter when it comes to sharing?
For example, once a story has been shared by almost everyone on twitter, to share it again seems a bit pointless. Or when you have a blog post you really want to share, how many times is it OK to post it?
I look forward to your thoughts!
Hi Andrea – even if an article has been spread like wildfire, don’t assume that YOUR followers on Twitter have seen it. An example is this blogpost which I originally wrote for another blog. It became one of their 10 Most Popular of the Year with over 430 RTs. But there are new people joining Twitter everyday right? Or new people landing on my blog – so if it’s good, why not share it with them?
When I have a new blogpost I usually tweet it out a few times over a couple of days – and I try to keep in mind the 80/20 rule. 80 percent of the time it’s about sharing other links and engaging with people, the other 20 percent I am promoting my own posts, products or services. When you give value as a trusted resource, most people won’t mind when you do promote something. It’s a give and take.
Thank you for sharing this. I’m a newbie to Twitter and still unsure about what to post, when to retweet, etc. This gives me some really good ideas on what to do (and what not to do).
I like #4. Similar to that, one of my clients sends out a tweet once a week listing the people whose tweets she favorited during the week.
.-= Janet Barclay´s last blog ..Energize Your Blog =-.
Great idea Janet!
I will share this post with all of my friends who wonder what they should be tweeting about. Great information.
Thanks so much Deanna! I think once they find a few good people to follow on Twitter, and make some connections, it also starts to be fun!