Five years ago it was rare to find casts and writers who were engaging with their fans during a television episode. Now, it’s more surprising when it doesn’t happen. So what the heck is live tweeting and how can you make it work for you?
I define live tweeting for actors as:
Engaging with your fans and fellow cast members during an episode or live event, as it unfolds.
Live tweeting can:
- Boost your visibility as an actor
- Help you connect with your audience.
- Increase awareness for your show or project!
- Extend the longevity of your show or character.
- Help build your following!
Sounds fantastic, right? So what are you waiting for? Here are 5 tips to help you live tweet like a pro.
1. Do your research!
Find out what hashtags are associated with the show ahead of time! If you are live tweeting as part of your contract, you’ll be told what the hashtags are. However, you don’t have to be a series regular to take part. Even if you’re just on one episode, you can hop into the conversation for the evening. Look up what the official hashtag is, as well as any other hashtags that may come into play.
Are you a series regular? Then create a hashtag for your character! Just remember 3 things:
- Keep it short.
- Make it easy to remember.
- Be sure to check if anyone is using it already.
2. Make an announcement!
Let your followers know the date and time of your live tweeting event. Spread the word on all of your social media networks, not just Twitter. Include the date, time, network and the unique hashtag(s) in the post.
3. Use media!
Depending on the show’s popularity, there could be thousands of tweets during a live tweeting session. To stand out in the stream, include media in your tweets. You can use photos, uploaded video, live video, GIFs or Twitter polls. Most actors just react to the episode when they’re live-tweeting. Go a step further and use media to add to the story! Add to the conversation by showing the fans of the show your favorite behind-the-scenes photos and stories.
4. Tweet using a tool!
During a successful live-tweeting event, you’ll likely be overwhelmed with comments and questions from your fans. If the conversation is moving too fast or there are too many hashtags to track at once, use a tool like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to keep track of all of the conversations that interest you.
5. Limit the spoilers.
It can sometimes be difficult to strike a good balance between adding to the show and giving away the storyline when you’re live tweeting. Keep in mind that, because of time differences, not everyone will be watching the show when you’re tweeting. The last thing you want to do is ruin the suspense of watching the show by spoiling it by giving away too much of the plot.
Try these 5 pro live-tweeting tips next time you’re on TV. If the conversation starts moving too fast for you, just relax, have fun, and make your fans feel like they are a part of the show!
These tips are just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to jumpstart your social media even more, grab your free copy of my 30-page guide, The Ultimate Social Media Checklist for Actors here!
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