Twitter: Four Best Things to Do with Your Extra 140 Characters
Recently, Twitter doubled the number of characters users could have in a tweet. Previously, we had to use clever ways to get around the 140-character limit. With 280 characters, people don’t need to resort to screenshots with extra words. And the larger character limit allows new Twitter users to join, as outlined in this article Twitter officially expands its character count to 280 starting today by Tech Crunch.
Here, then are some ideas for what to do with your extra 140.
Hashtags
Usually, only 1-2 hashtags (maximum) were thought to be the best number for a tweet. So if you really love hashtags, you can now add another one. I wouldn’t go too far overboard, though. They still seem messy, and all the studies indicate that 1-2 hashtags are the correct number. Any more than that, and you’ll lose reach. By the way, here’s an article about hashtags you might like: How to Catapult Your Tweets Farther? Use a Powerful Hashtag.
Give Credit
This one is my favorite. Give credit to the author of an article or to the photographer if you share a picture with your tweet. Often, you can find the photographer’s name in an article, immediately under a photo. The writer would also appreciate being mentioned. Sometimes people retweet my work, and I don’t realize unless I search on the exact title of an article! After all, being social and paying it forward is the thing to do on social media, isn’t it?
Just because you have the space doesn't mean you have to use all of it. The key is to know when to stop talking and start listening. #tsomedia https://t.co/bBmd8U9MO2
— Robert Nissenbaum (@rnissenbaum) November 13, 2017
Leave it!
As my friend Robert Nissenbaum says, you can stop talking and start listening! White space is a great concept. Like the silence between notes in a song, silence is useful. You don’t have to use every single space.
Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
Having a limited number of characters can make us better writers. Although, to be fair, we still have a limit. Will we see bloated tweets on Twitter, as this article that 280 Characters Ruins Twitter from Lance Ulunoff states? Or will people opt for shorter tweets, despite having the longer limit?
Is Less More?
Personally, I’m a fan of the shorter tweet. How about you?
Hi Carol,
You’ve touched on many thoughts I had about the new 280. I immediately wondered if one more hashtag would be considered okay now. I’ve already been doing it waiting to see any mention of it.
I totally agreed with giving credit did when it was just 140 so it’s even easier now.
As Jim mentioned, “you can stop talking” so there are many tweets where I write what’s needed with plenty of characters remaining. If I can make my point without all 280 I figure that’s a good thing.
I like the option of having the extra but realize all tweets don’t need a full 280.
Thanks for another thought-provoking post, Carol.
Hi Patricia,
Actually, it may be possible to give credit both to the author of an article and the photographer now. And as you say, shorter is often better!
Thanks for always coming by and commenting, Patricia! I really appreciate it!
Carol
This is a ***great***article so naturally, I retweeted it! ;) I
‘m going to try to use just two hashtags from now on. I know it’s best to be short-but-sweet despite having the option to write longer tweets.
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving, my friend! I passed on turkey this year – the others had it, but I couldn’t handle it anymore.
I was super-grateful I got to take some time out by Fall Creek for a walk with Lucy….it was such gorgeous weather.
Sending you a big hug!!!!
Dyane
Hi Dyane,
Thanks so much for sharing the article. I’ve been seeing so many people using more and more hashtags. Ugh. It looks so spammy!
I’m happy you had a good Thanksgiving, Dyane! We didn’t have turkey, either. Lots of vegetables and a few sweets, though!
Fall Creek must be lovely! Have been to upper Fall Creek, but not to the lower part for a few weeks. Got to go to Henry Cowell today, and there were more people than I’d ever seen! It must be a big day for taking photos for Christmas cards!
Thanks for the comment, Dyane!
Carol
I generally only use one 1-2 hashtags. Any more looks spammy.
I already have some longer tweets I am using. mostly to complete a thought without forcing someone to read a post to find out the rest. I still prefer short though and mine will remain so.
Hi Robert,
Yes on the 1-2 hashtags! Fewer is better (it’s not Instagram!). I like your idea of completing a thought. If people don’t have to click through, that’s even better.
Thanks for dropping in!
Carol
Fun post! I agree, just because you can doesn’t mean you should ;)
Hi Justine,
People who use up too much space on Twitter, and for no reason, often are deleted.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Carol