WordPress and Twitter Integration Guide
WordPress and Twitter integration is absolutely essential to your blogging efforts and unless you missed the last year – twitter is where it is happening now. Join and benefit or be left in the dust!
Goal of this article is to share how I integrate the WordPress and Twitter alone with other social media sites to get traffic, exposure and reach new readers and customers. While I have posted several times throughout the last year on the topic I didn’t engage it enough as I’m still learning and testing. What you will find here is a result of almost a year of constant usage, testing and designed to help you join the social revolution quickly and painlessly!
While your personal preferred plugins can be quite different – those I share here designed to integrate your WordPress and Twitter account and dive deep into social interaction as result. You will be amazed how beneficial it will be when done correctly!
Social Networks are 2 Way Conversation
And to take full advantage you have to ensure that your blog becomes seamless part of it. While there are dozens of plugins right now that are designed to help you do that – I only provide what I personally use and find working.
1. Posting to Social Networks and Twitter
I have seen multitude of methods used for this and idea here is simple – when you post a new blog post – it is automatically announced on Twitter and other social networks. From everything I have personally tried – best way to do it is through the ping.fm service which does a heck of a lot more then just posting to Twitter.
It posts to about30+ social networks, free blog services and it can be done on autopilot! All you have to do is get a free account and then setup each service properly within the ping.fm. Don’t skip on the networks – if it exists – create an account and set it up in ping.fm!
- PingpressFM is a plugin I personally use and it fully integrates with my blogs and each time I do post – it submits it to the ping.fm and auto publishes according to the preferences I have setup for each social network, including Twitter. Important thing here is to setup each service properly within the ping.fm – so when setting up Twitter – be sure to specify to do ONLY micro-blogs, for wordpress.com ONLY blog posts, etc.
- Tweet This plugin I use to add to each of my posts ability for existing Twitter users to tweet this post easily. It creates a nice short URL to the post and you can configure to add the the title and even description to the tweet – simplify the TWEET – get better results! While it states that last tested is 2.6.+ version – it works on my WordPress 2.7 with no issues.
2 plugins mentioned above allow me to accomplish 2 very important tasks – create an automated way to publish my posts to Twitter and also an EASY way for tweeter users to share my post.
2. Pulling My Tweets Into Blog
As I have mentioned – integration of social networks with your WordPress blog should follow the 2 way conversation model and giving your blog readers an easy way to see your tweets and get involved (subscribe to your tweets) is a MUST HAVE.
I have evaluated several plugins and one that I found works best by integrating with WP-Super-Cache and a slew of other plugins as well as been least processor intensive is…
- Tweet You – functions as simple widget on your sidebar and uses ajax script to pull your latest tweets, which avoids an issue of displaying cached tweets from WP-Super-Cache and works like a charm. It also promotes your twitter account and allows people to follow you easily! See it in action on my sidebar.
3. Additional Twitter Goodness!
This section is separate because I haven’t tested it fully yet but the idea seems beneficial and already integrated on my blog.
Add Ability For Commenters To Specify Their Tweeter Account
It will accomplish 2 things – grow your commenter’s followers and as result – grow number of comments on your blog. We all love extra comments, don’t we? Well this might be a good chance to increase the number through the most popular social network – Twitter.
- WP Tweetip ID – is a plugin I use for that and it is brought to us by Andy Bailey, same guy who brought us the Commentluv plugin among the few others. This plugin once integrated allows users to specify their twitter ID in comment form and it will be added to their posted comment with suggestion to follow the commenter. Great idea that according to Andy was inspired by @problogger post http://tinyurl.com/6gns3f and kicked up the bum by @styletime
Only time will tell if this plugin worth the effort but I use it and you can test it by adding comment below! Get more followers by providing good comment!
4. Follow Me On Twitter
I know, I know this is shameless self promotion. But hey, this post is all about the twitter and seems appropriate. I share not only my personal stuff on twitter but mainly WordPress related tips, strategies and information you might find beneficial.
Go ahead! Click here or image below to Follow Me On Twitter!
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Hi Alex I too use pingfm I think its a great addition to the blogging world
excellent time saver for posting
I just installed the WP Tweetip ID I’ll let you know how it is working for me
Sure and please do share. This functionality although implemented via multiple ways is gaining popularity and should be beneficial.
Alex
Hi Alex,
I have been holding off on Twitter even though I have an account because it seems like it could be a major time user. Although I hadn’t really thought about just twitting from my end and not following very many others. I guess I will try and see what happens because everybody is talking about it.
Thanks for all the great advice.
Andys last blog post..Online Christian Business Backlinks To Make Money
Andy, it is just a tool but one that has great potential when used correctly. Am not a guru on topic, just use it to establish meaningful connections.
You are killing my Frriday man!
It makes sence otset up an account with each different service. HEre is my question… How do manage all the diffrent account _ Imean stay active? Only so much time ina day..
Florida Life Coach
Kamjahs last blog post..Top 10 Tips To Achieve Your Best In 2009
looks like you have wp-twitip-id working well.
I think it needs a little work on the back end so it can work with logged on users and maybe save the details to wp_options rather than as custom fields on the post.
thanks for the link! can’t believe I wasn’t following you already.
Andy Baileys last blog post..Wordpress for business bloggers book review
Thanks Andy,
I’m sure you will improve it, as for me – this plugin now makes my list of most recommended plugins to my custoemrs and readers. Excellent work on integration.
Great post on the integration of the WP and Twitter. I have been thinking of adding the Twitter ID functionality and think I will try it with the plugin you mentioned.
Cheers.
Hi Alex!
Thanks for some super great Twitter tricks.. I need to pimp my blog up tomorrow with some of this stuff. Seams like we can’t be without twitter as a traffic source.
Believe it or not. If it hadn’t been for Twitter. i would not be on your site this very moment.
Thanks again and take care!
- Thomas Skavhellen
Thomas Skavhellens last blog post..Getting More Traffic To Your Blog
Thank you for the great tips! I just started using Ping.fm today and was pleased to read about the pingpress.fm WordPress plugin. My favorite is Twitter…but alas it does not update Ping.fm (yet). I can’t wait to try it
blessings,
Wendy
Wendy Merritts last blog post..Christmas in Harmony (Hardcover) newly tagged “christian humor”
Excellent post regarding Twitter and Wordpress integration. I’m very excited to check out the plugins you’ve mentioned – and start on a better path in using Twitter to its fullest abilities!
Smart Boys last blog post..Happy New Years – Friends & Readers
I’ve just spent a couple of days sorting out Twitter feeds for my press release distribution site, here:
http://www.pressrelease001.com.....es-twitter
I used the TwitterFeed parse in which to pass through my RSS feeds
http://twitterfeed.com/
i think it does have a value but I’m not sure how long it will be before it is spammed out
( There’s too many Andy’s in this part of town
)
AndyWs last blog post..Here’s Some Link Building Tips to Help You in 2009!
Thanks guys for all your comments. I do what I can to share my own results but the true kudos go out to the guys like Andy Bailey and Sold Out Activist who create the plugins that allow us to do it!
The main issue I have with auto-posting blog posts is being looked at like a promo spammer. I personally thing it should be at LEAST 50/50 between blog posts and type-in chatter. For now I’m hand-tweeting individual posts in between chatter.
I’m not too fond of it on the blog either. Yours is neat, but so many make a total mess of their sidebar.
I will indeed install Tweetip ID and TweetThis though.
Dennis Edells last blog post..Google Page Rank Update: Thank YOU For My 3!
Thanks Dennis,
I 100% agree with you and my auto posted blog content to micro blogs is probably less then 5% of my total conversations and that is why it is so effective. I give value without promos and share other people’s links by hand or via ping.fm manual submission
excellent job. I’m starting over on my socializing, starting with twitter. Once I see how much time I actually have to tweet, I may install that plugin.
Dennis Edells last blog post..Google Page Rank Update: Thank YOU For My 3!
I’ll try to Twitter but it really chews up the hours.
James Mangosteen Dean
James Mangosteen Deans last blog post..mangosteenguy: trying to set up wordpress on our own dotcom
After tweeting for only about a week, I have already met many invaluable sources of information and new friends as well.
Although it does take a little time, with only 140 characters, it keeps me from writing too long a comment.
Ed Kilby
This is a fantastic post! I’ve decided its time to become a subscriber! That pingfm plugin seems incredibly useful.. I’m amazed I haven’t run across it sooner.. Sometimes it gets very tiring to go use pingomatic all the time.. No more pingomatic for me!
Appreciate the info..
Thanks,
Locke
http://www.yourblogismoney.com
Lockes last blog post..How to Make Money Online With Twitter and Your Blog
Those looking for more comprehensive coverage of the Twitter API can check out my app Tweet-SQL for Twitter Integration. Check out the links to my blog with lots of examples of the cool stuff you can do with Tweet-SQL.
Hi there:
Can you give me instructions how to add these plugins of twitter and others to my wordpress plogs. How do I get my feed on my blog to feed in somewhere how do I go about this ?
thanks
noma
I already did, more direct training is available to customers of my EWP product. Feel free to evaluate when we re-launch
Hi Alex,
great post with some good insights that go outside of just saying that something does or doesn’t work.
I have started testing and playing with PingPressFM and it seems to be working really nicely as well as a few of the others you mentioned.
One thing I think that’s really missing out there is a detailed and clear walkthrough of how to use Ping.fm to it’s fullest for example (especially after I just heard there some changes at LinkedIn just applied).
Thanks again and keep ‘em coming,
Xavier
P.s. And yes, with this comment I am testing the Twitter Plugin, I have CommentLuv enabled on my site as well as a few others I like for example ReTaggr, but hadn’t seen the Twitter one yet, so thanks again Alex!
Very interesting material. Podskazhiet pozhaylutsa how to subscribe to your new material, we do not want to miss something fresh. Thank you
Sincerely George
George,
I recommend eZine subscription – delivered once a week with a summary of all posts for previous week. Always emailed on Thursday.
Thanks for asking
Have you seen TweetSuite? Not sure if I really like it. I started using a few days ago as a test. It adds a “retweet” this icon next to each post and then shows a list at foot of post of visitors who have retweeted (is that gone backwards??) There are also some widgets that come with the plugin but as I use TweetNyBlog I haven’t used them but could be good for someone not already Twittering
Wizzers last blog post..How To Always Remember Passwords
I did and I don’t like it.
I just want thank you for this very important post. Not to mention the free ebook that you shared to us.:) This is a great help to me and I believe to the rest of us.
Your blog is definitely one of the most valuable blogs that I ever read when it comes to website making. I have successfully followed this post. Too bad though, I really can’t perfect the Domtabs installation. hehehe…:)
God bless Alex!!!
http://thedisciplers.com
Hello there again!!!
Alex, I just want to ask something about this ping.fm. Well, I also have a blog in blogger. And when i set the ping fm for blogging, it also automatically publishes what I’ve posted in my site.
My question is this, wouldn’t it affect the page ranking of my site (the original post) during the SEO thing process? Because I have read before in one of the articles that duplicate articles with the blogs would definitely lessen the page ranking.
With ping.fm set in my blogging-blogger account, it would be like having two blogs with the same content.
What do you think?
Vince
http://thedisciplers.com
Vince,
I don’t subscribe to that theory – my content from this blog published both here and on one of my wordpress.com blogs through ping.fm – this blog has PR5 and my other blog has PR2 even though it has almost no original content.
So, article you read are nothing but BS in my opinion and I always said it! People who spread those rumors need to test before they scare people to oblivion, or what is worse – inaction!
My $0.02
I see. Thank you very much Alex for putting my mind at peace. I’ve just reactivated my blogger in my ping.fm. This is yet the best thing happened to my blog.:) heheheh.. Thanks again!!!
vinces last blog post..The Biblical Truths About Discipline
No problem – just remember – what I shared is based on my own opinion and my own experience
Alex
That’s a great set up you have for incorporating ping.fm into your blog. It was just what I needed (don’t know why ping.fm doesn’t create their own button/code…). Thanks for the plugin referral.
Bill Davis´s last blog ..Traffic Building Tips, Part 1 of 10