Written by Phyllis Zimbler Miller, Twitter Marketing Expert

Twitter can seem deceptively simple.  Yet once you understand the numerous opportunities that Twitter offers you, you may be overwhelmed with how much is going on.  That’s why it’s wise to consider how to use Twitter applications effectively to help you stay focused on your Twitter goals.

While I’ve talked about Twitter applications before, it’s a good idea to review these at the start of 2010.  A new year is an excellent time to look at what tools we’ve been using and what tools we could be using.

Disclaimer:  There are probably thousands of third-party Twitter applications.  As this is a post and not a book I’m only going to talk about a few, including the ones I like the most.

Use tweetbeep.com to track your interests

For purposes of monitoring conversations that connect to my business and my other interests, tweetbeep.com is my favorite.  It works like Google Alert and I use the free tool although you can upgrade to a paid account.

One of the phrases I have tweetbeep track is my name — Phyllis Zimbler Miller.  Often in tweets people don’t use my Twitter username @ZimblerMiller (which automatically shows up in my Twitter account) but instead use my full name.  It is important to track your name if you like saying thank you to people, as I do, for retweeting your material.

Use twitwall.com for announcements

When I have an announcement for Twitter that I don’t want to link to a blog post of mine yet requires more than 140 characters, twitwall.com is my application of choice.  I particularly like that you get to designate what is the headline and what is the body of the announcement.

A similar application I tried did not allow this distinction.  I found this very annoying when, in the automatically generated tweet, the beginning of the body of the announcement ran into the headline.

Use tweetchat.com for joining in a tweetchat

When I participate in a tweetchat I like to use tweetchat.com.  Again, there are other applications that allow you to participate in a tweetchat.  Yet I find tweetchat.com the easiest to use.  (Just remember you can adjust the refresh time depending on whether you are a fast or slow typist.)

Twitter’s own lists function

The jury is still out for me on the usefulness of the lists function that Twitter itself recently introduced.  I have created one list and am on several others, yet I’m not sure that, as currently configured, this function adds much to an effective use of Twitter.

“Gimmick” applications are numerous

There are numerous what I would call “gimmick” applications for Twitter.  If you have lots of time on your hands you might enjoy these.  On the other hand, if you don’t have lots of time and you are easily distracted, stay away from these.

In conclusion, when you use Twitter applications, they should support your goals on Twitter rather than interfering with your focus on your goals.

As part of your new year resolutions, review which Twitter applications are helping you and which are hindering you.  Then focus on the helpful ones.