Heather Gemmen Wilson
@HeatherWilson Policies What Is It? Who Does It? Tweet Tips @definethis
@HeatherWilson
My personal account is mostly my random thoughts and conversations with other twits, but I also have an occasional top ten list (i.e. tweet tips, things I don't do anymore, daily discoveries).

My goal is to uplift and connect with others.

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My Policies
  • I will follow you back unless you are a spammer. (Just please don't drop me as soon as I start following you, because that is lame. Also, if you do not follow me, I probably won't follow you. I like two-way conversation.)
  • Lurkers welcome (as opposed to stalkers).
  • I am grateful for buzz. Please continue telling your followers about my sites and why you like them.
  • I respond to direct messages (DMs) only if they are clearly personal, not automated.
  • Except with my personal account (@HeatherWilson), I use @replies only when applicable to all readers. Most of my correspondences are via DMs.
  • I read every single @reply and DM, and respond to many (though not all).
  • I announce the winners per my guidelines almost without fail, but I reserve the right to miss or abandon my own deadlines without giving any reason whatsoever.
  • I love giving out the monthly book prize, but I reserve the right to withhold prizes or to quit giving them without notice.
  • By posting to my contests you give all rights to me to publish your tweet. (I have to say this; you know how those big publishers are always offering millions of dollars to republish tweets. That was sarcasm, a style I don't recommend you use if you want to win any of my contests.)
TWITTER

What is it?

Twitter is a micro-blogging and social-networking site that allows you to post and read status updates (“tweets”) in 140 characters from your computer or cell phone. You can follow (receive tweets from) as many people as you like, and they can follow you as well. If you wish, you can protect your tweets so only people you allow can read them, and you can limit how many come your way, so it is never invasive. Numerous free applications are available to design your Twitter experience to the level of participation you want.

read Heather's article about Twitter 
sign up

Why do it?

Twitter is a quick and easy way to stay in touch with people you know on a moment-by-moment basis. No need to wait for Christmas cards to find out what's going on in their lives.

Following like-minded people, whether you know them or not, helps you to discover the most up-to-date news about things you're interested in.

Reading tweets of people different than you helps you to be aware of trends and issues that matter to others.

It's a fun way to practice your writing skills.

For some great articles for new twits, see Michael Hyatt's blog (the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing):

The Beginner's Guide to Twitter

12 Reasons to Start Twittering

Who does it?

Over 3 million people use Twitter, and the number is constantly growing.

I especially love connecting with the people I know in real life (which is slightly less than 3 million) so that I can know what to ask them when I see them in person later. I wish I could get all my friends, relatives, church members, and colleagues to join.

But I love to follow perfect strangers too ... if they have interesting things to say and can do so in a compelling way using just 140 characters. I've started real friendships with virtual strangers.

Some of my favorite twits to follow are:

@lawrencewilson

@BibleBuzz

@michaelhyatt

@maurilio

@mdemuth

@shmoozanne74

@JeanneDamoff

@TriciaGoyer

@SharenWatson

@RachelleGardner

@LenSweet

@patsyclairmont

@jamesscottbell

@twittercize

@TwitterLit

@foodimentary

Tweet Tips

Tweet tip #1: You are what you tweet. Are you an encourager, a humorist, a business person, a pastor�a complainer? People will know.

Tweet tip #2: Craft your words. This may be instant publishing, but it's still publishing. Your words will last longer than you will.

Tweet tip #3: No cheating. Say it all in 140 characters. Don't use a second tweet to continue your point.

Tweet tip #4: Emulate your favorite tweeters.

Tweet tip #5: Don't answer Twitter's question (what are you doing?). Rather than your flight plan, nap schedule or lunch menu, say what will benefit others.

Tweet tip #6: Reply to other people's tweets. It's not all about you.

Tweet tip #7: Don't overtweet.

Tweet tip #8: Use Twitter tools ... such as tweetlater, twhirl, tweetdeck, hash tags, facebook sync, etc.

Tweet tip #9: Think big. You're not writing to just your sister in Georgia. Your audience goes beyond your list of followers.

Tweet tip #10: Each tweet should give something of value to your readers�whether encouragement, laughter, or information.

@definethis

Use the word of the day in one of your tweets. (WOTD is fed from M-W Dictionary. It will be given in my first tweet of the day.)

Add @definethis to your tweet so I and others can see your entry.

Daily winner announced after 9pm EST Mon-Fri (except holidays, unless I feel like it).

Monthly winner announced last day of the month.

The prize (a book) will be especially chosen for the monthly winner based on the winning tweet. (Winner may or may not like the prize, just ask @subewl.)

The judge is entirely biased (and can be bribed), but is influenced by the following:

1. Interesting, uplifting, funny, or informational tweets.

2. Accurate use and spelling of the WOTD. (Feel free to conjugate.)

3. Tweets that show the meaning of the WOTD.

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@definethis Tips:

  • Go to favorites to see daily winners.
  • Create a group in tweetdeck (or other app) to see other people's entries. (Click on search, enter "definethis", save group.) Not only will you be able to see your competition, you'll have the WOTD reinforced, which really is the whole point, after all.
  • Enter as often as you like, multiple times a day. (If you get annoying, I'll tell you.)
  • If you love someone else's entry, let me know; I am easily influenced. (No lobbying for your own entry!)
  • Yes, the profile pic of me is photoshopped. I'm not nearly that gorgeous.

Monthly Winners

July 2009
@seamuswalsh: "Today is the kind of day where even my flip flops feel like brogues."

Prize: Just Do It: The Nike Spirit in the Corporate World by Donald R. Katz

June 2009
@Cybrarian: "It was no secret that when stuck in traffic, Stan's finger gravitated to the inside of his nose."

Prize: Nosepicking for Pleasure, A Handy Guide by Roland Flicket

May 2009
@shmoozanne74: "Standing up straight makes you appear taller and thinner; posturing makes you appear shorter and more inflated."

Prize: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy

April 2009
@cynthiaruchti: "Like dogs staked in the yard, no matter how much we have, the purlieu that appeals seems just beyond our worn circle."

Prize: A Different Kind of Crazy by Lawrence W. Wilson (signed by author @lawrencewilson)

March 2009
@megheuer: "Perennials are a garden's little black dress: They look great forever with the right accessories (annuals)."

Prize: Home Landscaping: Northeast Region by Roger Holmes and Rita Buchanan

 

February 2009
@shmoozanne74: "Writing sentences for @definethis is an onerous exercise, but my brain cells are going to look great in a bikini."

Prize: Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

January 2009
@ladylew: "The most audacious woman of our time: Margaret Thatcher, who influenced heads of state while pouring them tea."

Prize: Counselors: Conversations with 18 Courageous Women Who Have Changed the World by Elizabeth Vrato

December 2008
@leatherzebra: "I want to dragoon the school into doing what's right for my autistic son, but in the name of civility I'm hoopjumping instead."

Prize: The Best Life Ain't Easy, But It's Worth It by Virelle Kidder (signed by the author to the winner)

November 2008
@subewl: "Her invective eruption signaled my successful battue for her hidden thoughts, but for which I was ill armed."

Prize: What Men Understand About Women, by Lee Ezel (It's a gag book...completely blank.)


Personal web site of Heather Gemmen Wilson  (C) Heather Gemmen Wilson 2007-2009