How to Twitter

Twitter is a social networking tool that allows you to send and read 140 character messages in real time. These messages, or "tweets," allow you to communicate with friends, colleagues and potential clients in short form, through a public forum or via private messages.

From a personal standpoint, Twitter is a great way to stay in touch with your friends and family, and share links, photos, and general commentary. From a business standpoint, Twitter allows you to expand your audience, learn about your client's needs and interests, and share your ideas, innovations, and feedback - all through instantaneous micro-blogging.

One of the great benefits of Twitter is being able to involve yourself in real time conversations about emerging trends, and learn about news and ideas as they form. In fact, a fire on London's Chancery Lane was photographed and discussed on Twitter before the press, or even fire engines arrived.

Once a user follows you, you are able to send them a private "direct message." This is a useful way to assure someone sees the content of a particular public tweet that they may miss in the shuffle. Its also a good way to build a report with individual contacts.

One technique new twitter users can employ to get a dialogue going is to pose a question to your friends and ask for feedback through direct messages. For example. Looking for Twitter app for my new iPhone. DM me with suggestions. These messages are also limited to 140 characters.

Under the Notices tab in Settings, you can select to be notified when people sign up to follow your Tweets, and when they send you a direct message.

Twitter is very useful for driving traffic to your website or another property. If you have a website link you would like to share with your Twitter audience but it is too long to fit into140 characters with your message, there are several ways to shorten it.