Scott - Definitely join in the Twitter fun. Would be happy to see you and the Fiimmaker crew over there.
As for what your updates should look like, well that's up to you. Yeah, the imported blog feed is not exactly the best option, though a number of people use it.
Beyond that it sort of winds up depending on what works for you. Link to some blog updates, respond to questions, break some news. See what seems best to you and what garners the most feedback. You'll find your groove after a little while of doing it, but until you do actually start doing it it's hard to figure out what it's going to look like. Kind of like blogging itself.
I know that's sort of a non-answer answer but hope that at least helps your thought process a bit.
#
posted by Chris thilk @ 2/18/2009 3:40 PM
Since you post a lot, usually a couple times a day, I wouldn't export your blog stream to Twitter. Readers of the blog already know to come straight to the blog every day or follow via RSS. So, there's no reason to do much cross-promoting on Twitter.
I would follow a Filmmaker Twitter stream that provided links to other sites and articles that you find interesting, but don't do a full blog post on. (That's how I use Twitter.) Plus, yes, quick commentary on breaking news that you jot down before writing a full article. Or quick thoughts on a film you just watched. Stuff like that.
And some self-promotion is fine: New issue is on stands, links to particularly engaging blog posts, links to articles on the rest of the Filmmaker site, et. al.
#
posted by Mike Everleth @ 2/18/2009 4:15 PM
I saw welcome to the twitterverse (by the way - what's your twitter handle?)
Use it as a mixture of promotion for interesting pieces and quick thoughts on things that are happening. Let us know what your up to - are you at CineMart, are you at IFP, did you just hear the 300th pitch for the same boy-meets-girl indie film...
#
posted by Noah @ 2/18/2009 4:49 PM
I had never heard of Twitter, and then like you said,
it was all over the mainstream media. I'm not sure
that I can handle another 'connecting' device at the moment. MySpace, Facebook, and now Twitter. But
who knows, maybe that could change? The Filmmaker
Blog is great, but I'm not sure what hypothetical alerts I would want. The blog is eclectic from the interviews, to the video postings, to political/industry updates.
All worthwhile . . .
Keep us posted what you decide.
#
posted by @ 2/18/2009 4:51 PM
I think a combination of all those... and more! Twittering is jammin'...
Your fans already have their rss set up, so merely updating them on what you post would be boring. Better try to surprise them, play the indie field. And yes, occasionally get behind some of the people and causes you support, throw your weight around... It's all good as long as it hovers around your brand and what it stands for.
#
posted by Maestra Films @ 2/18/2009 5:27 PM
Scott - Awesome to see you embracing the Twit. It's next wave of journalism. Maybe. Maybe not. Anyway, how about sharing your actual Filmmaker magazine twitter identity? What's your @? I'm @tbrunelle. Rock on.
#
posted by Tim Brunelle @ 2/18/2009 6:20 PM
Hey, all. I my opinion, tweet what's cool to you. Others will find you and pay attention if they think you're cool. Also, get in the game. In this case learning by doing is highly under rated. Just start.
I'm starting to work up an outline to do a video on http://www.skipwisconsin.com and I'll post it below. The goals is to talk twitter for new comers. Maybe that could help. Tune in soon and we'll give the outline below personality. Todd Sklar alerted me to your questions. Props to him!
1. What is it
a. Like text messaging but in public and searchable
b. Micro blogging
2. Why would you use it?
3. Layers of simple complexity
a. Standard tweet
b. @replies
c. DM
d. RT
4. Services to use
5. Listen and Watch
6. Sharing
7. Social norms
Catch me on twitter - @josephrueter
#
posted by Joseph Rueter @ 2/18/2009 6:26 PM
Hey everybody,
Thanks so much for all of these great comments. They are really helpful. And yeah, I guess if I'm going to Twitter, it would be good to give people the Twitter ID. Lesson number one learned -- it's FilmmakerMag.
Bear with me while I feel this thing out. I don't intend to Twitter as much as I post on the blog, and I do want to keep it focused on stuff of interest to the Filmmaker community (in other words, if you start reading what I am having for dinner, feel free to blast me).
One thing that I will do, however, is try to Twitter during the Spirit Awards this weekend. I tried to liveblog the Gothams on my Blackberry using Blogger's mailtoblogger function and it was a disaster (I forgot to take the footer off my email and it got attached to all the blog posts). Twitter may be more my speed for a live event.
Thanks again, and keep the comments coming.
#
posted by Scott Macaulay @ 2/18/2009 8:32 PM
two bits of advice - download twitterberry. easier to tweet from it. and just start as someone already advised. oh, and don't forget to check your @Replies. sent some other advice on twitter. not here.
@Mbyrd
#
posted by michelle @ 2/18/2009 10:57 PM
I've been on Twitter for almost two months. When I started, I shared some of your sentiments--don't tweet too frequently, don't talk about what you had for dinner. This will sound counter-intuitive, but tweeting at least ten times per day and tweeting about mundanities (albeit cleverly) will very certainly endear you to the twitterverse. Do not tread lightly.
I have promoted only one of my blog posts--I didn't realize that was taboo--and it generated 35+ fiery comments (http://jijr.com/orZ). So...I say promote your blog posts and anything else you feel like promoting. Half of my tweets are news items, and I hear no objections. But DO be personal.
I should also add that I've never had a MySpace or Facebook page and can't fathom the appeal.
#
posted by Alejandro Adams @ 2/19/2009 3:10 AM
I love Twitter!!
#
posted by film school student (nyfa) @ 2/19/2009 4:18 PM
