When I was at the Press Publish conference in Portland each of the speakers names was written up on the board, and screens, with their Twitter address next to their names, not the URL for their web-site or blog but their Twitter moniker. I found this interesting.
Later on, talking with some of the Automattic people, as we tried to work out how thekitchensgarden had “flown under the radar” (their words) for so long when the blog is daily and the Fellowship is such a strong and numerous force, we came to the conclusion that it is because I have a very teensy Twitter footprint. (Plus I am still learning about SEOs and Tags) So much to learn! Though I am being choosy about what I learn, my wee brain is only so big you know.
Even later on – talking to the people who have published books – I asked about having a Facebook page for a book. That is one way they said -but – “Publishers love Twitter. They are all over Twitter.” Once again with the Twitter as a vehicle to get your message out there. Interesting. 
And this blog does have a message . You know the message. I am adamant that if I can farm – anyone can. I want people to know this. This is why you are invited on my journey to discover how to farm. How to create an old fashioned American farm (using modern tools of course). That it is vital to take control over as many aspects of our food as possible. If only growing herbs, or choosing to buy local or a small vegetable garden in a sunny spot, or chickens in town, or a goat in a semi rural setting or a full old fashioned farm like I have, utilising barns for what they were built for or (my joy of joys)- growing food for others to eat.
I think that we can all be involved in this and every time one of The Fellowship reports back about a chicken coop they built or a farm they visited or a market they go to on Saturday and we are all supporting each other in what is an endless struggle to keep small farms alive, to keep our connection to real food alive, then Sheila and I are succeeding with the message. But can we do better?
So, after watching how this Twitter thing works I think that we should ALL encourage each other to push the Twitter button at the bottom of each others posts, if we like what we see and if we think other people should read this too. One speaker told us how sharing other peoples work is a generous move. It invigorates the work. Empowers each other. And Tweeting information and inspiration is generous too. (Though I have to get over my aversion to the word Tweet!)
And I think this is what Twitter can be used for. Tiny written sound bites. Short and simple. And good.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” – Da Vinci.
Twitter is definitely simple.
And we could tweet actual quotes from each others work. The line that catches our eye and the link. I know this is not what they mean but I think this is how The Fellowship might create a twist to the Twitter game. Imagine us being important enough to quote! And we are.
An interesting fact is that the best time to Tweet (cringe) is just after lunch on a week day. 
What do you think? (And now I am looking at my writing more critically and wondering what I have said that is quotable – that is a good thing – makes me work harder at saying what is worth saying).
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm
celi
P.S. One more day just to be sure then Poppy is going to make her announcement. (It is looking promising).
P.S.S. From dawn today the Give Away has closed. I hope you were in to win. And The Cadet is going to choose the winner of the signed print! ASAP. 
P.S.S.S. (is there a P.S.S.S?) Last night I collected one Korean student, one Japanese student and one student from Hong Kong (all university students) from the train station. They are here for a farm stay until Monday. And if they work as hard as Gracie (who sent them) we are going to get heaps done this weekend. This is another mission of mine – to bring young people back to farming.
See you tomorrow.
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
114 responses to “Twitter for Bloggers – Can I Quote you?”
I looked at Twitter a while back, but never made sense of it. When I heard a group of teen girls talking and prefacing each sentence with “hashtag ____” I thought it must be mostly for twitter-pated teens, and never went back. I just don’t see myself “tweeting!”
The hashtag thing is interesting.. WHO makes up these words? c
I got a twitter account so I could use it to enter rafflecopter contests and i won something! ha So happy to see Aunty Del’s lovely face again. We can call this the chick field now with all the girls, both black and brown with a little white thrown in. Twitter is a tool for expanding the Fellowship, I think. The blog is home base where we all come together. I don’t see that changing. How great to have international guests this weekend. Much work will get done and much fun will be had!
Poor darlings are out there shoveling as I have my morning coffee with The Fellowship.. but the rain is coming then we will all be inside! c
Your photos this morning are top-notch sharp and overall excellent. Now, about that Twitter thing. Don’t have it, nor am I on Facebook. Missing out? Maybe.
Oh I don’t think you are missing out on much.. just different avenues.. Photos: I was talking to another WP engineer and she said that she pushes the contrast in her images, way more than you should, she said, so I have been trying it lately using the Photoshop contrast.. and it is definitely returning the clarity to the work.. i am pleased with that little tip too.. all these kids were volunteers – incredibly knowledgeable and so passionate about sharing their knowledge with others..
Fingers crossed for Poppy. I’m with Viv, Deb and Kate on Twitter but each to his or her own 🙂
Mad.. My fingers are going blue with the crossing, but soon I think we can start COUNTING!! c
It’s going to be an exciting spring on the farmy 😉
That it is my friend! That it is! c
I must check into Twitter to see what it is all about! I knew at one point, but then forgot all about it! So excited about the international students staying on the Farmy! What a fabulous experience for them, and for you all too! Just know there will be lots going on this weekend!!! xo
Sounds like a wonderful International Easter Weekend for you Celie. I too have fingers crossed for poppy. Are the eggs still turning?
One their last day of turning.. should be due to hatch on monday (or before as we have discovered!) .. c
I like to think I am an expert “ttweeterer” but confess I have never thought of tweeting links to favorite blogger’s blogs! I just tweeted your post even though my Twitter name is @vashopperdor with a definite Virginia slant. Will also concentrate on tweeting blogger quotes too. Thank you for pushing me one more step ahead in social media marketing. Hopefully, your blog and others will promote sustainable farming and encourage more people to share. 🙂
This is all very interesting and very overwhelming and now I don’t even know how to move forward.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
when i cannot move forward it is time to sit down and have a break.. so cuppa T time!
Totally agree Linda! I’m only on FB because I have a bunch of nieces and nephews and they all have kids and everybody’s so busy that it’s the only way I can keep up with what’s happening with everybody! I have always found it hard to believe that anyone would be interested in what anyone else is doing/wearing/eating/thinking at any given time.
Totally agree….facebook, texting.all about keeping in touch with my kids, neices, friends kids, only way to see pictres anymore !! Tweeting is above and beyond for me right now !
Sherry describes my social media habits, too. I set up a Twitter account, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten with it. I prefer the blog and Facebook relationships.
I have actually considered tweeting a link to your blog out to my twitter universe (which is not huge). I’ll do so in the future. Also, just tweeting a subject with a link to your followers (I blog about once a week, sometimes more) gets more followers, blog visits and retweets. I’ve found the best time to be weekday evenings and weekend evenings (amazed how many people are spending their time on twitter after dinner!). I do Urban Ag/food access kinds of things with ventures into crafts and photography as well as ‘other people’s gardens.’ I think I also grew up near your farm!! About 20 miles south of Springfield, IL, though I’ve been in Virginia (where there’s an active local/fresh food movement) for more than 30 years. On twitter, I’m @arlingwoman and my blog is arlingwords on wordpress. I really look forward to your posts!
Oh my…all this chatting about twatting is making my head spin…I’m with Viv, Deb, Kate and Mad! 🙂 So lovely to see Auntie Del…that portrait shot of her is so crisp, it backlights the hairs on her ears…just gorgeous! And how fun to have your international young guests for the week-end! Wouldn’t it be fun if they would all prepare a dish from their home for Easter dinner?
I have no idea how to tweet and do not read other tweets. I’m still trying to figure out how to correctly send in an email a scanned document!! Of course I work at a shop that only accepts cash or check, we have no web site, and a rotary phone. I have a lot of catching up to do!!
We have those old rotary phones too, when lightening strikes this house – often – it always knocks out the modern electric phones – the rotary ones are indestructible.. c
Oh that’s funny/sad. The rotary phone never fell off the lamp table. It had weight! Our replacement was a piece of crap.
I don’t tweet and am not on FB. And Celi yours is the only blog I read except for The Writers Almanac, which isn’t strictly speaking, a blog, I don’t think.
this is the first time I’ve seen the Cadet’s face. She is beautiful — and has to-die-for hair! I’m wondering where the three helpers stay over the weekend.
They are all in the coop, i have an extra mattress on the floor! they are great.. time to get back to work too! c
You’re going to have to get practicing with the loaves and fishes….maybe just stick to changing water into wine…can’t believe the energy:)
I love the photo of the Cadet. What a “farm girl” expression she has. You captured the soul of this young lady perfectly… caring, taking time to nurture, paying attention, resilience and strength. I can’t explain it but her expression says so much about her inner spirit. What is it about being rooted to the same earth… dirt, as the animals that connects us so strongly?
I may never be popular and my book (if I ever get it written) may be a flop because I’m such a hermit. I would be miserable if I tweeted. I’ve been on Facebook several times, only to become overwhelmed and disheartened in time. Heck, I have a passionate dislike for my cell phone. I have said it before, I feel most comfortable in the woods with the wild things. All of these electronics and social distractions have me running for the hills!! Are you sure you want me to come for a visit? I think I’m seriously a weirdo. 😀
WE Love weirdos, I have a terrible habit of losing my phone or running it out of gas.. Hermits I understand! c
I have had a giggle today reading about this twitter thing. I have never tweeted/twatted? I’m like quite a few of the fellowship in that I prefer reading blogs, mind you as they say don’t knock it till you try it! Good luck with your new helpers. X