A mention is any Twitter update that contains @username anywhere in the body of the Tweet.
“Mentions” allows you to “mention” someone providing them a way to track these conversations. Those who are mentioned in the tweet can then choose to engage in the discussion. You can also track who is talking about you (e.g., your clients or other company employees).
To post a mention on Twitter, type your message normally, but replace any names you include with @username (including the person's Twitter username).
Here is a mention of @FreelanceWhales (a super cool band that Twitter mentioned).
Twitter reported that they noticed people frequently searching for their username (@username) to find the Tweets that mention their username anywhere in the message. Twitter collects these messages, as well as all your replies, in the @Mentions tab on your Twitter homepage.
Most organizations track what people are saying about them. For example, if you make a comment talking about a bad experience on @delta, someone from Delta Airlines will respond to your post and try to address your problem.
TIP: You want to keep track if people are mentioning your username, so you can reply to their need or concern, get involved in the conversation, or share the compliment with your followers.
If you are using another application to manage your social media (e.g., Tweetdeck or Hootsuite), the application will alert you on your desktop or mobile phone that someone has mentioned you in a Tweet.
What is a @Reply?
A reply is a response to someone else’s tweet. You can reply by clicking the "Reply" button on their Tweet.
People say lots of things on Twitter, and sometimes you want to say something back. Your reply will always begin with @username (insert username of the person you are replying to). Any one Tweet that is a reply to your tweets will show up in your @Mentions tab on your homepage.
To post a reply on Twitter:
• Find the Tweet you want to react to on Twitter.
• Hover your mouse over their message and click the "reply" icon.
• Complete your Tweet in the box that pops up, and click "Tweet" to send it
If you are using another application to manage your social media (e.g., Tweetdeck or Hootsuite), the application will actually track the conversation for you, so you can see the entire discussion thread.
TIP: It is important to monitor your Twitter account and reply to any messages directed to you by your clients, company staff, potential clients, or other tweeps.
Your influence on Twitter is measured, in part, by the amount of replies and the dialogue you participate in (rather than just sending out information).
What Is Retweet? (RT)
Like a Tweet? Retweet! Sometimes you come across a Tweet that you just have to share. Twitter's retweet (otherwise known as "RT") feature helps you and others quickly share that Tweet with all of your followers.
How to Retweet:
1. Hover over a Tweet
2. Click the retweet link, highlighted below
3. The Tweet will then be forwarded to all of your followers
Click the “Retweets” tab on your homepage to to see what you’ve retweeted, what’s been retweeted by people you follow, and who retweeted your Tweets!
The following items appear in a drop-down menu. Click one of them to see results.
• Retweets by others: read the retweets posted by people you follow under the first tab, 'Retweets by others.'
• Retweets by you: read your own retweets- it's like the sent items in your email account. If others have also retweeted, you'll see their profile icons listed.
• Your Tweets, retweeted: find out who retweets your tweets!
If you are using another application to manage your social media (e.g., Tweetdeck or Hootsuite), the application will allow you to edit the retweet or add a comment to the retweet.
TIP: As an act of good will, it is important to retweet your clients events and information. It shows them that you find what they are doing important.
Your goal is to post things that your followers, clients, and other corporate staff will find important and retweet. Your influence on twitter is measured, in part, by how often your messages are retweeted.
Watch it! Twitter video on retweeting can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIBf8cU_wM0
References:
http://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics/topics/109-tweets-messages/articles/14023-what-are-replies-and-mentions
http://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics/topics/109-tweets-messages/articles/77606-what-is-retweet-rt
Download the "Mentions, Replies & Retweets" Handout (pdf)
