I always like to mention tools that I find helpful. I’m not endorsing the product, I just really like their fish icon. (see?)
The handy little gizmo I’m referring to is bit.ly. It allows you to maximize your message characters and track your click-thrus (especially helpful on microblogging sites). Now you can easily track the traffic directed to your online member community (and others) from your links on microblogs. Plus who can resist that sweet little face?