Tweet Deck – Keep Social Media Simple

HandmadeMarketing.org reader Amy Vander Vorste, from Etsy’s Avlor’s Imprints, told us about an article she recently posted to her blog.  The blog post outlined how Tweek Deck can save you time while connecting with potential buyers on Facebook and Twitter.

“I prefer Twitter over Facebook any day,” Amy wrote, “but so many people I know are on Facebook. I finally gave in and set up a personal account and business fan page.”

Next, Amy ran into a common problem faced by Etsy sellers.  “I want to update any or all of them in one place at the same time!” Amy thought.  “Wouldn’t it be great if you could?”

Amy found the secret – Tweet Deck.  As the TweetDeck website explains, Tweet Deck is your “personal browser for staying in touch with what’s happening now, connecting you with your contacts across Twitter, Facebook and more.”

TweetDeck is an Adobe Air desktop application and is currently in public beta.  It helps handmade shop owners keep up with everything they want to see at once, so they can stay organized and up to date.  The download is free and getting a lot of buzz around the Twitter community.

Users will notice that the app display it in a unique columned interface.  TweetDeck is a realtime application, allowing users to monitor social media information in a single and concise view.  TweetDeck helps users digest all the social interaction occuring on their main Twitter feed into columns, which allows for better view of tweets.  The layout is clean and easy to use.  At this time, TweetDeck integrates with Twitter, Twitscoop, 12seconds, Stocktwits and Facebook.

How does Amy use Tweet Deck keep up to date?  “It’s a two pronged approach,” Amy explained.  Here is how Amy suggests using TweetDeck to it’s full potential:

1. Get Tweet Deck.  “Set it up for your Twitter and Facebook accounts,” Amy said.  She reminds us that the Facebook part of the Tweet Deck will only update your personal page, not fan pages or business pages.
2. “Selective Twitter Status”. Next, Amy says to set up “selective Twitter status” on Facebook.  “Setting up Selective Twitter Status wasn’t as straight forward as I would have liked,” Amy said.  “Get the “Selective Twitter Status” app for Facebook. Next, go to the your pages section of the app and enter your Twitter username in the username box.  Click on the “Grant Permission” link. Click on “Allow Status Updates” link.  There will be a bar with your Facebook name on it. Click it and choose your page name and allow the app the permissions it needs,” Amy said.

“Now you can Tweet and update your Facebook page, or fan or business page from Tweet Deck!” Amy said.  Here are some fun features of Tweet Deck that Amy likes:

• Use Tweet Deck’s Twitter function to update Twitter.
• Use Tweet Deck’s Facebook function to update your personal page.
• Use #fb at the end of your tweet if you want it to go on your Facebook fan or business page.

This is a great way to save time while keeping up with your social media marketing work for your handmade shop. “I value my time and don’t want to be logging into different social networking sites all the time to post updates, sales, or new items,” Amy tells us.

What do you think of Tweet Deck?  Do you use another web resource to help manage your social media marketing?  What advice would you have for someone who wants to stay up to date without devoting too much time?

Tell us your ideas for social media marketing!  HandmadeMarketing.org wants you to join in the discussion.  Tell us your tips and we’ll publish them in an article – and link to your shop or blog as the source!