Twitter tools | Future Perfect Publishing

The term Spew refers to the torrent of information spilling out over the Web. It was an image first conjured up by author Neal Stephen. Today the term could serve equally well as a description for the tsunami of tweets pouring forth from Twitter-ers across the globe. Individuals and organizations have discovered many interesting uses for Twitter:

A research tool to plug into the raw elements of news stories while they are unfolding – e.g. the Tehran protests
Live blogging at conferences
Distributing news stories – e.g. CDC using Twitter to get the news out swine flu
Mobilizing customers – e.g. the bakery in San Francisco that updates local customers on when its sumptuous peach pies are coming out of the oven

Top Twitter Tools Exposed & Explained at Lightning Speed

Not to be left out of the Twitter-mania, authors have also started using the tool to support their book development and marketing efforts.

Seek assistance with research for your book
Build a following that you can direct to your longer blog posts
Respond to comments about your book
Announce events such as readings, appearances and book signings
Delivering sample book content
Share news stories (and pictures) related to your book

A plethora of Twitter apps are now available to make all these task easier. The most comprehensive list I have found so far is at Mashable. Want to follow some authors, agents or the publishing industry? Try this starter list from Maria Schneider’s blog. And if you want to track and quantify all your tweet followers and activities, there is a list of excellent Twitter analytics tools available at Social Media Today.