Many people get a little confused when starting off on Twitter, with what a retweet is and how to use it. So here is an explanation of what a retweet is and how best to use this excellent function of Twitter to share information.
Retweeting is an integral part of the Twitter experience. Essentially the retweet (or “RT”) allows Twitter users to share the best links, tweets, and information they find from others using Twitter. It is probably best described as taking a twitter message someone else has posted, and rebroadcasting that same message to your followers. When broadcasting this message, you should give credit to the original poster. While retweeting sounds great for the original tweeter (since there is usually a link involved), retweeting can actually benefit you just as much if not more.
How to do a retweet (RT)
Copy and paste the original tweet but before you hit send give credit to the original person who posted the tweet. Users usually put “RT” plus the originator’s username at the beginning of the tweet. Here’s an example:
- The Twitter user @andyheadworth tweets: We have some great new Twitter workshops coming soon
- You retweet by posting RT @andyheadworth We have some great new Twitter workshops coming soon
If you are using Tweetdeck or any other Twitter application (apart from the main Twitter.com site) there will be a button you can click, to easily retweet a message).
Don't retweet everything though!
You should not simply retweet everyone’s content for your own personal gain - that is not what retweeting is all about. You must be selective when you retweet since the whole point of this practice is to benefit your followers, by sharing interesting or worthwhile information, links or tips with your followers.
There is some benefits to retweeting
If you can provide value to your followers you will not only make them happy, but you will most likely attract more followers. If you point someone to an external source that is truly relevant and beneficial to them, the amount of trust that person has in you will increase.
And remember...
Retweeting is all about providing value to your followers - so don't be retweet parrot, only retweet what you think is worth sharing!
