The Twitter sign-in page
Twitter is another great option to promote your site. In case you haven’t checked it out yet, Twitter is a constantly updated stream of short messages–called “tweets”–that each consist of only 140 characters or less.
You can use these to draw attention to new posts or features on your site in addition to using them to build relationships with your clients and customers.
You will choose which tweets you want to see in your feed, called a timeline, and others may choose to follow you yours, as well.
The site gives you an amazing opportunity to brand yourself online, as you network with others and promote your site in the process.
You can check it out and create your own account HERE.
Once your account is set up, you’ll want to set up your profile information.
You’ll be asked to provide a short bio line. This will form the first impression others will make of you, so work to make yours as descriptive and memorable as possible.
You may also add your photo, icon or avatar. An actual photo will be the most effective at gaining the trust and goodwill of others, but, at any rate, don’t settle for the default icon. You’ll find it much easier to gain a following and make connections with others when you take the time to personalize your image. Keep your branding in mind as you choose.
A customized background will also contribute to others’ perceptions of you and your business. Editable templates are available if you prefer a DIY approach, or you may prefer to hire a professional designer. Again, this step contributes to your overall efforts to brand (establish an identity for) your business.
Once these steps are completed, you can begin choosing whom you will follow with your new account, and will begin attracting your own following. Our next few posts will deal with the how-to’s, as well as explain a bit about the available technology for managing your account.
Please be sure to post your comments below, along with your new twitter address.
Happy tweeting!
Susie
PS You can follow me on twitter here: http://twitter.com/NewSite911
Moderating Comments in Blogger
One of the reasons that blogging has become such a popular format for websites is the opportunity to interact with your readers through their comments and observations. For the most part, this is great–it adds interest and variety to your site. But on the flip side, it also leaves you open to the spammers and those few others who may choose to leave material that you may find unsuitable for inclusion.
Blogger allows you to moderate comments to your blog before they become visible to your visitors, allowing you to eliminate spam and other content that you don’t want included.
The comment moderation options are located in the SETTINGS tab, subheading COMMENTS.
Screenshot of Blogger Moderation Panel Options
As illustrated, you may choose to ALWAYS moderate comments, or to moderate only comments on posts that are older than a date range that you specify.
Once you’ve determined which of these you prefer, a drop down box will appear, giving you the option to send any comments to your preferred email account. Comments may then be accessed and moderated from this account as well as directly from the Blogger interface.
Screen Shot of Additional Options for Blogger Comment Moderation
When using the Blogger platform, you’ll find comments sorted into the MODERATE COMMENTS page, found under the POSTING/MODERATE COMMENTS tab.
To publish or reject any comment, tick the box beside the comment(s) you intend to moderate, and click the appropriate button. You may choose to sort comments individually or you may tick multiple boxes and handle them as a group. Similar options will appear in any emails you receive.
Remember, though, proceed with caution! Rejected comments will be deleted and you WILL NOT be able to recover them!
Moderation privileges extend to you and to any persons you designate as administrators for your blog.
Please leave your comments and questions below!
Have fun blogging,
Susie