For many of us Twitter is now a core part of our daily lives. Despite this there remains no sign of 'Twitter Pro', for professional users, though its API is used by developers to create the kind of tools that help us to manage our accounts more easily.
Many tools have emerged to plug gaps in Twitter's functionality, some of which we have written about in the past. So far this year I've started to use a few new ones, as highlighted below. Do check them out.
Slipstre.am
Slipstre.am is a plug-in for Chrome that allows you to hide certain status updates on Twitter.
For example, if like me you think Foursquare-based tweets are irrelevant, then simply add ‘Foursquare’ and / or ‘4sq.com’ as a term. You can also mute specific users.
The tool works directly with Twitter.com and provides a much-needed filter for unwanted noise.
Mute.ly
If you’re just looking for a simple tool that mutes a Twitter user then here it is.
Buffer
A brilliant scheduling tool for Twitter. Rather than sharing lots of content in a short space of time, you can click the Buffer bookmarklet to add it to your tweeting schedule. Tweets will then be staggered. You can plug in your Bit.ly account to use a custom domain and monitor analytics. I'm a big fan of Buffer.
PostPost
A tool that helps you to discover interesting tweets that might otherwise have been buried. PostPost identifies standout content from the people you follow, and aggregates it on one page (embedding watchable videos and full size images, as opposed to links). Useful for those days when you’re too busy to properly tune into Twitter.
Tweetwally
A neat tool for creating a ‘tweetwall’. Choose hashtags, keywords or users and Tweetwally will display them on a dedicated web page. Your tweetwall can be embedded onto your own website.
There are a number of other tools on the verge of being released but which are currently in closed beta, so I'll wait until they're available to the masses before writing about them. I'll publish another post in due course.
Do you have any other new tools - a preferably free ones - to suggest?
Reader comments (13)
Marketing Consultant at Independent
2:28PM on 3rd April 2012
metrotwit is an upcoming client that excels on Win platforms. tweetbe.at is not so pretty but pretty useful for big list management.
Digital Marketing Expert, Speaker and Trainer at New Terrain Limited
6:18PM on 3rd April 2012
Genius!
Thanks Chris for a useful collection of Twitter Tools.
One day I predict that developments in Brain/Computer interfaces will mean that we'll all just 'think tweets' to each other (Twhoughts?).
By the way, I'm not kidding:
http://www.emotiv.com/
That would be the ultimate power tool wouldn't it? ;)
10:55PM on 3rd April 2012
Buffer is a great service to use!
I'm so glad it made this list I can really see that tool taking off into the future. Tweetwally I've never really heard of so it is really a interesting tool that the will probably have a future with some websites as twitter is a great source for news before the news channels really know what is going on.
Digital Marketing Executive at Koozai Ltd
12:21PM on 4th April 2012
I use buffer for my tweets: schedules them, uses my custom URL shortener and gives some statistics... all I need!
Tweetwally looks useful. Thanks for sharing these tools Chris.
2:04PM on 4th April 2012
Thank you chris for providing this set of useful twitter tool.. I will be using buffer and see how it will work...
2:35PM on 4th April 2012
I like the sound of tweetwally, any way we can maximise exposure of our tweets is positive. We use Buffer and it's been brilliant, a great way to manage when tweets go out and ensure there is a constant stream of great info.
Owner at Digital Juggler
3:32PM on 4th April 2012
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the nod on PostPost, hadn't come across that before and it's always a challenge to dig out the hidden gems of content from the billions of tweets out there, even when using lists and filters.
cheers
james
7:07PM on 4th April 2012
Hi Chris,
Great post. It would be nice to see some analytical reporting plug-ins as well. Many Power Users want to see the stats (# of followers acquired after specific tweets, # of unfollows, avg. follow time...) and unfortunately, Twitter just doesn't provide any.
10:03AM on 5th April 2012
Anyone know of a client that can 'stack' tweets from users? So, Guy Kawasaki, as an example of someone who is high volume, only ever takes up ONE bit of screen real estate and I can drill down if I feel inclined, or just say 'yeah I've seen all these, good enough'. Also I want to prioritise news from people who are infrequent tweeters, not see tweets by date order (more complicated impelementation as need to poll and buffer...).
2:37PM on 5th April 2012
From what I've tried directly on twitter I cannot identify local users I'd like to follow based on keywords in their bio. I've tried followerwonk and it's ok, but I'm wondering if there is a better 3rd party option?
Director of Product Development at Econsultancy
4:01PM on 5th April 2012
Thanks all for the comments.
@Yvette - That's something I might look into. Socialbro might do the job?
@Heather - both ideas are good, though there is already an app called 'Tweetstack' (which doesn't do what you had in mind). Not sure if there's anything out there quite like that. Do let us know if you see anything.
@Jacob - funnily enough we're developing a tool for in-house use that we may release, and which should help you to do that. Stay tuned!
Marketing Consultant at Independent
5:51PM on 5th April 2012
@heather Formulists did that - unfortunately they shut shop recently although they list alternatives on their site.
@jacob Twitterfall (my fav for chats/confs) does tha (check their features page, it's rammed!) you may have to combine with other settings it offers. I suggest also the delightful bing dot com slash twitter slash maps.
Digital Marketing Executive at Koozai
4:35PM on 17th May 2012
@dean showed me Buffer which as discussed is invaluable. It also links to Delicious packrati.us.
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