If you're in HR and haven't yet set yourself up on Twitter, the start of the new year - with all its associations with resolutions, new beginnings and trying out new things - is an ideal time to give it a go!Twitter (and other social media) can offer so much to HR...and it's so easy to get started!
The potential benefits of Twitter and social media for HR are brilliantly expressed by US HR blogger Christine Assaf in a 2012 post entitled Use Your Social Media Network:
To think that I've spent hundreds if not thousands in educational books, and even more on classes, to try to know all this information and none of them ever said... build a social network. Lesson learned.So this beginner's guide to Twitter is designed to provide quick and useful links and tips to help anyone in HR get up and running on Twitter.
What is Twitter? And why should HR care?
Twitter is an online social network for sharing very short messages (or tweets).
A tweet cannot exceed 140 characters in length. Look at a tweet as a very short blog post (Twitter is often referred to as a "microblogging" network for this reason).
Twitter users 'follow' one another (following means subscribing to an individual or company's tweets - it costs nothing, and you are free to unsubscribe at any time).
There are literally thousands of HR professionals worldwide on Twitter sharing HR-related updates, information and insights - and this number is growing every day.
The Twitter HR community is remarkably welcoming, supportive and willing to help. Just give it a go and you will quickly see what I mean!
What HR can get out of Twitter
Twitter is a great route into social media for HR, as this post from Sarah Miller explains: Getting HR to engage via social media: The @WhippaSnappaHR approach.
There is a growing global HR Twitter community out there, communicating with each other around the clock and across international boundaries.
Social media allow HR to take part in "the conversation that never sleeps" (as UK blogger Mervyn Dinnen memorably phrased it).
Top US HR blogger Robin Schooling argues that it is essential that HR professionals assume a global perspective in 2013 and beyond. Social media make this easy. As Robin says:
Getting set up and getting going on Twitter is extremely easy!
Here are three great links to provide you with all the information you need to get started on Twitter:
So now you're set up on Twitter, what's the best way to tap into and become a part of the global HR community via Twitter?
If you like, you're very welcome to follow me and follow XpertHR UK and/or follow XpertHR USA on Twitter (although I won't be offended if you don't).
And if you want to tap into the global HR community, a great starting point is to subscribe to my Twitter list of the global voices of HR in 2013:
If there's anything whatsoever that you want to know about Twitter, please get in touch via the comments box below, or get in touch via Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+.
UPDATE 1 (Monday 22 April 2013): 'Serendipity is an important "feature" of Twitter for me,' says @ballantine70
Matt Ballantine (aka @ballantine 70) has written a great post entitled The Basics, in which he describes the challenges and learning points of explaining Twitter to a non-user.
He notes that "it's useful, [...] once in a while to try to explain something that you do regularly to someone who has no knowledge, as it really helps to make you understand how you do things."
If nothing else, @ballantine70's experience has resulted in a truly superb definition of one of the intangible but essential unique selling points (USPs) of Twitter: Serendipity. He says:
I've put together a Storify story, focusing on the benefits of Twitter.
Read more about HR and social media:
XpertHR model policies on social media
(XpertHR subscription required)
Twitter is an online social network for sharing very short messages (or tweets).
A tweet cannot exceed 140 characters in length. Look at a tweet as a very short blog post (Twitter is often referred to as a "microblogging" network for this reason).
Twitter users 'follow' one another (following means subscribing to an individual or company's tweets - it costs nothing, and you are free to unsubscribe at any time).
There are literally thousands of HR professionals worldwide on Twitter sharing HR-related updates, information and insights - and this number is growing every day.
The Twitter HR community is remarkably welcoming, supportive and willing to help. Just give it a go and you will quickly see what I mean!
What HR can get out of Twitter
Twitter is a great route into social media for HR, as this post from Sarah Miller explains: Getting HR to engage via social media: The @WhippaSnappaHR approach.
There is a growing global HR Twitter community out there, communicating with each other around the clock and across international boundaries.
Social media allow HR to take part in "the conversation that never sleeps" (as UK blogger Mervyn Dinnen memorably phrased it).
Top US HR blogger Robin Schooling argues that it is essential that HR professionals assume a global perspective in 2013 and beyond. Social media make this easy. As Robin says:
Connectivity across the globe, even if not a typical part of the day-to-day for a Human Resources professional, is amazingly easy to do via social media and online channels.How HR can get set up on Twitter
Getting set up and getting going on Twitter is extremely easy!
Here are three great links to provide you with all the information you need to get started on Twitter:
- Twitter 101: How should I get started using Twitter? Twitter's own guide to getting started.
- Getting the most out of Twitter - the basics and Getting the most out of Twitter - finding your community UK employment law expert and top blogger Laurie Anstis' brilliant 2012 guide to Twitter.
So now you're set up on Twitter, what's the best way to tap into and become a part of the global HR community via Twitter?
If you like, you're very welcome to follow me and follow XpertHR UK and/or follow XpertHR USA on Twitter (although I won't be offended if you don't).
And if you want to tap into the global HR community, a great starting point is to subscribe to my Twitter list of the global voices of HR in 2013:
- Follow the Global Voices of HR Twitter list.
- You can also subscribe to the Global Voices of HR RSS feed to keep up with their latest blog posts (Google Reader subscription required).
What on earth is a hashtag? And what are the best hashtags for HR?
Hashtags are a great way to tap into the wealth of HR-related content Twitter users are sharing on a daily basis.
But what on earth is a hashtag? Check out this post to find out everything you need to know about hashtags, and to access links to some of the best and most useful hashtags for HR: #HR, #HRblogs, #HRdata, #HR247, #UKemplaw: What are your favourite HR hashtags on Twitter?
If there's anything whatsoever that you want to know about Twitter, please get in touch via the comments box below, or get in touch via Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+.
UPDATE 1 (Monday 22 April 2013): 'Serendipity is an important "feature" of Twitter for me,' says @ballantine70
Matt Ballantine (aka @ballantine 70) has written a great post entitled The Basics, in which he describes the challenges and learning points of explaining Twitter to a non-user.
He notes that "it's useful, [...] once in a while to try to explain something that you do regularly to someone who has no knowledge, as it really helps to make you understand how you do things."
If nothing else, @ballantine70's experience has resulted in a truly superb definition of one of the intangible but essential unique selling points (USPs) of Twitter: Serendipity. He says:
Serendipity is an important "feature" of Twitter for me; I don't try to read everything posted by everyone I follow, as it's a recipe for madness. I check periodically to see what's happening, contribute myself every so often, and don't worry when I'm not looking.UPDATE 2: What's so great about Twitter?
I've put together a Storify story, focusing on the benefits of Twitter.
Read more about HR and social media:
- HR blogs and blogging habits
Read all posts in this 2010 XpertHR series. - Getting started on LinkedIn in 2013: A beginner's guide for HR
If you're in HR and not yet on LinkedIn, then what is LinkedIn all about? And what can LinkedIn do for you? Anita Lettink of NorthgateArinso has the answers. - Getting started on Twitter in 2013: A beginner's guide for HR
This beginner's guide to Twitter is designed to provide quick and useful links and tips to help anyone in HR get up and running on Twitter. - Who are the global voices of HR in 2013?
Who do you consider to be the global voices of HR in 2013? I'm looking to compile the ultimate global HR Twitter list for 2013 and beyond, to share with and help connect the global HR Twitter community. - Robin Schooling: The World (REALLY!) of HR
A brilliant look at why HR professionals need to become part of a global HR community, and at how social media make this easy to do. - Getting HR to engage via social media: The @WhippaSnappaHR approach! Sarah Miller - aka WhippaSnappaHR on Twitter - sets out six easy and very enjoyable steps to get social media-hesitant HR professionals up and running on social media!
- Doug Shaw: Encouraging HR to participate in social media HR professionals have much to gain from engaging with social media. But what's the best way to encourage the 'social media-curious' in HR to take part in social media? This is the subject of a brilliant mini report entitled Social Media for HR: How to Encourage Participation from leading UK HR blogger, consultant and social media advocate Doug Shaw.
- #HR, #HRblogs, #HRdata, #HR247, #UKemplaw: What are your favourite HR hashtags on Twitter? An introduction to the power of the hashtag, present a list of five highly recommended HR hashtags, and invite you to submit your own favourite HR hashtags.
- Getting the most out of Twitter - the basics and Getting the most out of Twitter - finding your community UK employment law expert and top blogger Laurie Anstis' brilliant 2012 guide to Twitter.
- Tools, Trust and Toilets, Social media policies are not "stupid". Here's why, and It's All About Trust A wide-ranging and very lively debate about the need (or otherwise) for social media policies, taking in posts from Doug Shaw's blog, XpertHR's Tribunal Watch blog and Neil Morrison's Change-Effect blog.
- Socialising HR: Ellison Bloomfield's manifesto for HR & social media
Top Australian HR blogger Ellison Bloomfield looks at how HR can use
social media in interacting with and engaging potential recruits and new
starters.
- Yes, social media are a real threat to employers An extremely interesting post by XpertHR's David Shepherd, which gave rise to a fascinating discussion in the comments field.
- Grant Mason on 'Social HR': Three reasons why HR should be crazy about social media Grant Mason explains why he believes social media can make all the difference to HR.
- How social media can 'humanise' HR Social media have the potential to play a key role in 'humanising' HR departments. This is according to leading Australian HR blogger Ellison Bloomfield.
- Alison Chisnell: What social media can offer HR A video on what social media can offer HR, from UK HR Director Alison Chisnell.
XpertHR model policies on social media
(XpertHR subscription required)
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Comments (6)
Hi Michael, I'm sure you'd agree one more thing new tweeters can do is come along to the regular ConnectingHR tweet-up, where they'll always find lots of experienced tweeters to talk to - a great opportunity to put face to avatar so to speak. The next one is on Thursday 24 January (chrtu.eventbrite.com). And, as always, it'd be great to see you there too!
Posted by Jon Ingham | January 11, 2013 3:56 PM
Posted on January 11, 2013 15:56
Michael, I would add to this list what I consider the most valuable benefit of Twitter for HR -- to become a better and more knowledgeable business partner. Twitter is alive with incredible content. Competitors. Third party advisers. Suppliers. Business publications. Universities. Philosophers. Graduate schools. Associations. People and sources with whom you agree, and those you don't. Following "contrary voices" is something I highly recommend. HR people engaging with HR people is great, although we have to guard against the risk of these exchanges becoming an HR "echo chamber."
Posted by Tim Collins | January 11, 2013 4:15 PM
Posted on January 11, 2013 16:15
Hi Michael, what I value greatly in using Twitter is how easy it is to get in touch with someone by asking a question. There's a wealth of knowledge out there which everyone is freely sharing. The fact that it is global makes it all the more interesting and accounts for very different points of view and ideas. Be sure to not restrict yourself to HR and follow other people from business, arts, IT etc. And don't be afraid to join the conversation with the right mix of remarks, link sharing and RTs.
Posted by Anita Lettink | January 11, 2013 7:35 PM
Posted on January 11, 2013 19:35
Thank you one and all for a great crop of comments so far!
@Jon: Yes, I certainly would agree there! Tweet-ups are highly recommended for HR professionals who are new to Twitter, and for more seasoned HR Twitter veterans alike. For anyone that's interested, here's the link with further details of the 24 January 2013 ConnectingHR tweetup mentioned by Jon: ConnectingHR tweet-up January 2013.
@Tim: I couldn't agree more, sir! You are spot on that it is extremely beneficial to use Twitter to follow and engage with "people and sources with whom you agree, and those you don't." I, too, believe that sometimes you can gain significantly greater value by throwing a number of "contrary voices" into the mix. Once people are up and running on Twitter, they should quickly be able to see the huge diversity of individual voices and perspectives out there – and the great value there is to be gained via this diversity. Great comment!
@Anita: You've spotlighted something hugely important there, Anita! The access to a huge, 24/7 global community of approachable, knowledgeable HR experts that is enabled by Twitter is an absolutely key benefit for HR. Why would anyone not want to have free, instant access to this community? Love your closing point: "Don't be afraid to join the conversation."
Posted by Michael Carty
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January 14, 2013 8:45 AM
Posted on January 14, 2013 08:45
Hi Michael - a great idea to help kick a New Year off with this. Lots of use these tools, and many more besides don't, yet. This is an encouraging post, and the comments are helpful additions too. Thanks for the name checks - I appreciate it very much.
Doug
Posted by Doug Shaw | January 14, 2013 2:15 PM
Posted on January 14, 2013 14:15
Cheers, Doug!
And it's my pleasure to provide the name checks. Everyone out there should be following you on Twitter (and for anyone reading this who doesn't yet...please do follow doug! You can find him as @dougshaw1).
Posted by Michael Carty
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January 14, 2013 2:19 PM
Posted on January 14, 2013 14:19