Add "Click To Tweet" to Your Posts

Have you noticed how many people are adding "Click to Tweet" in their posts? Pretty jazzy, huh? It's also pretty easy when you know what you're doing. It's a great way to increase your visibility on Twitter and can also drive traffic to your site!

Adding "Click To Tweet"

You need to open 3 tabs (or windows).
1. Sign on to Twitter, and leave that window open while you work.This will let you preview your tweet.
2. Start your new blog post. Give it a title, then click Save. This will create your permalink.
3. Go to www.clicktotweet.com

Compose Your Tweet

The box for your tweet allows 140 characters, but be as brief as possible! Write tight and be sure to include your Twitter handle.

For example, with this post I'd like my readers to tweet -->

Adding "Click to Tweet" is easy - Check it out! via @susanrstilwell #blogging

When my readers tweet that, their followers might decide to follow me on Twitter! But I also want to direct them to this post, so I need to include a link to here. Don't click Generate Link just yet! 

Leave this window open.

Link To Your Post 

Get the permalink

You need to know the "permalink" for your post, which is found in the right sidebar under "Schedule"

(If you're a Wordpress user, click "Get Shortlink" under your post title. You can shorten it further with bit.ly or paste it into the Click To Tweet box.)

See how long that is? Highlight it and copy it, but don't put it in your Click to Tweet box. It's WAY too long. But never fear --> Bit.ly is here!

Shorten your permalink

The Bit.ly site shortens your great, big, long URLs into a teeny tiny little link.

When you go to the site, scroll all the way to the bottom, unless you want to sign in with another account. (It isn't necessary)

Paste your long permalink in the box, then click Shorten.
Check it out:

Bit.ly just turned

http://blogmamasusan.blogspot.com/2012/09/add-click-to-tweet-to-your-posts.html

into

http://bit.ly/PnnurA

Pretty cool, huh? 

Click the orange Copy button.

Now go back to your "Click to Tweet" window and paste the short link into your tweet and format it to your liking.

Once it looks good, click "Generate Link"

Your text will disappear, but you'll have a URL that begins http://clicktotweet.com/ --> COPY THAT LINK!

(If you'd like to see how it'll look, click the preview link)

Insert the "Click To Tweet" Hyperlink in Your Post

To add the "Click to Tweet" link to your post, all you need to do is create a hyperlink. I usually put what I'm tweeting in a format similar to this:

Adding "Click to Tweet" is easy - Check it out! 

(Care to Tweet this?)

I want it to stand out, but not be obnoxious. I might change the font color, make it bold, center it... Try some things and see what works for you and looks natural on your blog.

Most people word the hyperlink, "Click to Tweet" but you can make it say ANYTHING. Mine says "Care to Tweet?" which is a kinder, gentler way to suggest I have something noteworthy to say (which is laughable). 

Personally, I'm dying for somebody to say something fun, like 

"Isn't this clever? Tweet me!!"

Whatever phrase you decide to use, type it in your post, highlight it, then click the LINK button in your taskbar. When the window pops up, paste the clicktotweet URL you just copied in the Web address box, then click OK.

Be sure to check the box next to "Open this link in a new window" so your reader won't be redirected to Twitter.

You're all set! It might seem cumbersome at first, but think through the process - what you're doing and why you're doing it. Don't be afraid to try something new!! 

Happy Blogging!!

Susan

I appreciate your comments and feedback - please leave yours below!