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That’s what we believe at the Ontario Literacy Coalition, and it’s why we signed up for Twitter and other social media outlets (Facebook, Blogs, etc.) over a year ago now – to spread the word about the importance of literacy to a wider audience.

Twitter is a valuable tool used to spread ideas, information, thoughts, pictures, videos and everything in between – all in real time and through only 140 characters.

What OLC has found is that Twitter has not only helped raise awareness about literacy, but that, over time, a literacy community has been formed on Twitter. Literacy organizations, people in the field or those who are simply interested in the cause share resources, articles, information about events and other interesting facts regarding literacy.

Now, with nearly 500 followers, the OLC not only just “tweets,” but engages in conversation with literacy organizations, workers or others interested in literacy from across Canada and all over the world.

We’re even using Twitter as a feedback and conversation tool at OLC’s 2010 Spotlight on Learning: Becoming Agents of Change conference.

By following the conference hashtag #spotlight2010, conference participants will be able to “Tweet their Feedback” during conference proceedings, and spread what they’ve learned and generate discussion within the online literacy community.

Participants following OLC’s Twitter feed during the Spotlight on Learning conference will also receive announcements and up-to-date information on conference proceedings.

If you’re an organization considering joining Twitter, first think about what your goals are: What do you want to get out of it? Who do you want to connect with? Who will be tweeting from your organization, and what will they be tweeting about? How will you measure success?

It’s important that organizations are consistent with their Twitter use: tweeting twice a week isn’t going to get you a large audience, but tweeting twice a day will. This means you must ensure your organization has the time and resources necessary to make your efforts a success.

If you decide to go ahead and start tweeting, here are some tips that will help you gain followers and really engage with those in the Twitter landscape:

• Tweet away: It’s okay if you only have a few followers. Tweeting regularly will give you a routine and show people you have something to say. Remember: “tweet and they will follow.”
• Follow others in your field:  Many literacy organizations from across Canada and the world are on Twitter (including the Ontario Literacy Coalition). Follow them and take advantage of the list of followers they have accrued.
• Engage in conversation: This is the big one. Organizations and people on Twitter who only promote themselves are boring. Twitter is about short conversations. Reply to other people’s tweets and if someone replies to your tweet, reply back. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you get to know others in your field on Twitter.

Twitter can seem overwhelming and a bit confusing at first, but follow these tips, stay with it and soon you’ll discover all of the advantages – and fun – Twitter has to offer.

Ontario Literacy Coalition

The OLC makes adult learning opportunities possible by inspiring ideas and informing action. We work to ensure all adults in Ontario benefit from literacy by gathering data and intelligence, cultivating partnerships, building capacity and advising policy.

Interested in being featured in our Spotlight section? Please contact us!