8 Free + Authentic Ways to Get More Twitter Followers

I'm often asked how to get more Twitter followers.  Here are some simple strategies that worked for me when it comes to either getting followers or following others. 

1. Reply to a Tweet someone's Tweet with useful info i.e. a link.
   They will appreciate the time you took and likely follow you as a result.
2. Thoughtfully participate in an education Twitter chat. If you contribute thoughtful content to a Twitter chat participants will notice and it is likely that some of those people will reward you with a follow.
3. Get to know influencers and tag them as it is relevant.
   Follow hashtags of topics you are interested in and see who the people who are top Tweeters are.  If you have information they may find relevant to may be able to help with, tag them. They are likely to follow you afterwards.
4. Put your Twitter handle in your email signature
   Let people know how to find you on Twitter.  Include your handle in your email signature.
5. Put your Twitter handle in your online spaces i.e. website, blog, wiki.
   Don't forget to let people know how they can follow you in your online spaces. Give viewers a link.
6. Suggest folks in a #FF (Follow Friday) or #TT (Teacher Tuesday) and say why.
   Don't just post names of Tweeps to follow.  Draw others in with what they'll learn if they do so.
7. Retweet (RT) Modified Tweet (MT)
   See a Tweet you like?  Share it. The Tweeter may show his/her appreciation with a follow.
8. Favorite the Tweets that interest you
   The Tweeter will know what you did. As your name becomes more familiar, you increase the chances of being followed.

These are some ideas to keep mind. Which have worked for you? What is missing?

How to set tagging permissions on Facebook

When working with innovative educators, I advise them to set tagging permissions that require them to review photos and posts before they accept the tag. This helps avoid having an unprofessional picture/post visible to others and also helps ensure that teachers are putting their best FOOTprint forward.

Here are the four steps required to set your tagging permissions.

10 ways to get more likes and engage members on your Facebook page

So, you’ve started a Facebook page. Congrats! However, Facebook is no fun unless there are others there with you. Here are ten things you can do to drive members to your Facebook page today.

1. Invite people to like your page Go to the top right side of your page where it says “Friends.” Under that it says “Invite your friends to like this page.” Select “See All.” This allows you to invite friends based on “Recent Interaction,” “location,” or a group to which they belong.  Ask others to do the same.
2. Update your username When you update your page username, you give it a clean name free of hyphens and a number string. Do this by visiting https://www.facebook.com/username and giving the page you select the name you’d like.
   You can go from this: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Innovative-Educator/150269418336196
   to this https://www.facebook.com/TheInnovativeEducator

The hottest posts everyone's reading

Here’s the roundup of what's been popular on The Innovative Educator blog. Below you’ll see the top posts along with the number of page views. I hope there's something that looks of interest to you.  If it does, check it out. If you’re inspired use one of those icons below the post to share it with others and/or leave a comment.

Entry	Pageviews
If you're not preparing your students to use socia... Oct 29, 2013,	6614
Think before you send or post Nov 1, 2013,	5041
Stop trying to figure out if screentime is good fo... Oct 30, 2013,	3640
What if we let students design their own schools? Nov 8, 2013,	2195
Does Twitter have a minimum age requirement? Jun 13, 2013,	1800
Tasting in Technicolor - A Story of Learning Diffe... Nov 3, 2013,	1481
The principalship: 6 ways smartphones have changed... Nov 6, 2013,	1445

Remember

Guest post by Jacob Gutnicki 

Remember when education always pioneered

And how the educator was revered

Remember engaging activities and innovation

Multiple Intelligences and helping children were our passion

Remember the inner child

And when the kid smiled

Remember what it was like to be a kid

The games and the friends who we made trouble with; g-d forbid

Remember our children must contend with increased standardized testing

Accountability, College Readiness, and schools we plan on divesting

Remember the help you had when you were younger

And don’t forget to support your child with the help they hunger

Remember you were too proud to ask for help and played it wild

Remember no matter what they will always be your child

#NYSCATE13 - A Conference that Knows How to Make IT Happen!

I've attended a lot of conferences. Some nail it like EdCamps and EduCon, and others leave something to be desired.  When it comes to throwing a worthwhile conference, NYSCATE is one that knows how to make it happen.   I had the privilege to meet and canoodle with innovative educators at this year’s NYSCATE in Rochester and here are a few of my favorite things about what this conference did right.

How NYSCATE Makes IT Happen!

Making social media happen

* Lisa Nielsen impressed by all that is going on in the social media kiosk. Coffee with a Geek Geeky Ed Tech educator Andy Wheelock @Spiffwhitfield held court at the social media kiosk where he was on hand to get a behind the scenes look at what goes on at NYSCATE. He did this my interviewing presenters, speakers, and participants to find capture the pulse of the conference. You can check out his videos here. Social Media Camp All those interested in learning more about or sharing how to leverage social media in powerful ways were invited to join this informal session.

Finally. A conference that gets social media right. The area was manned with social media chairpersons who included gurus @ransometech and @JenLaubscher who were on hand to help get folks going or keep them engaged. Here are some of the ways they did that: Hashtag #NYSCATE13 Not to be taken lightly, #NYSCATE13 was consistent with the sharing of their hashtag promoting it in brochures, on posters, on their website, in sessions, and more.    Cheat sheets Steve Ransom made these awesome cheat sheets for folks who wanted to know a little more about Twitter. They were there for all interested, to take away for anytime/anywhere learning.  You can find them on his blog here. Topics were: Twitter Etiquette | Anatomy of a Tweet Tweet Cheat Sheet | Twitter Lingo Another Tweet Anatomy NYSCATE13 Eventfier Wow. I had never seen this tool before, and it’s FANTASTIC. It’s a one stop shop for all social media made specifically for events. The site shares what’s popular as well as all videos, Tweets, blog posts, photos, slides AND it tells you who top contributors are. You can also check out all contributions by any contributor. You can see what mine look like here. Check out the site at http://eventifier.co/event/nyscate13.  Note: It is not free, but prices start at $49 per event. Seems worth the savings in time to me.