Thread by @garius

Right. As a heavy tweeter/content creator who is now maintaining BOTH a Twitter and Mastodon presence, here is a short guide to what I have set up, how to do it and lessons I've learned, for others.

TLDR: It's been WAY less hassle than I expected thanks to tips from followers /1

Firstly: Why do this?

Y'all may have seen my thread on the Trust Thermocline. Must is PLUMMETING Twitter towards it. As a creator it thus makes sense NOW to start an active presence elsewhere on at least one possible migratory space for existing followers

https://twitter.com/garius/status/1588115310124539904

So how does Mastodon work:

Its not one place. It's 'federated'. You pick a server to be on. That server by default will pull in some 'toots' (a silly word) from other servers it federates with into its timeline, and block some others.

But YOU can follow anyone, on any server.

Think of Mastodon as like a class at school. You can have friends in any class or year group. You CHOOSE to spend time with them.

But you are also in a class, so tend to know a fair bit about ALL your classmates through daily exposure, your year less so, outside that by chance.

This is why it is important to pick a server for yourself that:

1) Has a moderation policy you like
2) Has a list of federated servers it pulls in which looks fun
3) Seems to match your interests and posting style.

Bit like how you'd end up on specific forums.

DON'T WORRY. You can MOVE your account later. Whether to a new space you like more, or if your old server is shutting down for some reason.

I literally did this yesterday to a more UK-focused server. Moving repoints your FOLLOWERS to you. You don't lose them!

So just scout around, find a Mastodon server you like, and join. You can move later without major follower loss.

BUT if you have a big twitter following, it is polite to at least reach out to the admin of that Mastodon instance and warn them you're coming or chip in a few quid.

Okay, let's talk mechanics.

Once you've picked a server (I'm on mastodon.me.uk) I recommend mirroring your twitter bio, header and profile pic to it in order to help discoverability. Post a few things.

I'm a big fan of Proof of Cat. A unique photo of your pet.

To reduce effort of maintaining two presences, I'm doing this:

1) Mirroring my non-reply tweets to Mastodon.
2) Posting unique Mastodon comments, when it feels right to say something just there
3) Replying, liking and following periodically on Mastodon seperate to here.

To mirror my tweets to Mastodon, I use this cross-poster. Others are also available. I have it set to mirror all my Tweets except replies.

If I don't feel a Tweet was RIGHT for mastodon, i just pop over quickly and delete it after posting it here. Simples crossposter.masto.donte.com.br

I also periodically running Debirdify. This find ANY my follows who have added a mastodon tag to their twitter bio and dumps them as a CSV. I can then import them into Mastodon.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you add your OWN Mastodon handle to your twitter bio. pruvisto.org/debirdify/

Debirdify also allows you to export CSVs of people you have blocked and muted who have a Mastodon tag in their bio. So you can bring those blocks/mutes over, too.

That's it. Bosh. Done. You have a Mastodon presence you can bet-hedge against Twitter going tits up AND (I'm finding) as a nice community space in its own right.

All you need to do is garden your tweets, comment occasionally and check your mentions there to reply to people.

And by putting your Mastodon tag in your twitter bio, you're allowing your existing followers to find you. I recommend periodically mentioning your presence there on your feed, too.

Did I mention you can find me here: 😉

mastodon.me.uk/web/@garius#

Does this work? It's working for me. I'm pushing 3k followers on Mastodon after a few days. 5% of my presence here, but all nice people (some existing, some new) and it's about quality not quantity.

Plus taking it slow allows me to learn the norms and be a good community member

Finally, a wonderful tip from a few of my followers there and here was that you can make your Mastodon 'home' look (and function) like Tweetdeck!

It's under preferences, appearance, 'advanced'.

Bloody ace.

There you go. I'm not here to argue IN FAVOUR of Mastodon. It has flaws. But so does this place.

But, as a creator, I need to think pragmatically about building followers in a new space as early as possible, just in case.

Hopefully this thread helps you do that too. /END

ADDENDUM: Not sure what Mastodon server to start on?

ASK YOUR FOLLOWERS HERE.

Chances are a bunch of them are on a Mastodon instance already. And you know they share interests you do, because they're following you here!

That was how I ended up here: mastodon.me.uk/web/@garius#

Oh and if you find this useful, you can always buy me a thank you coffee here!

Actually that's a lie. I'll spend it on beer.

ko-fi.com/garius