Twitter 101

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Tweet Tweet Tweet

About a month ago I became acquainted with this thing called Twitter. I was a bit apprehensive at first. What do I say? Who do I talk to? Will anyone care about what I have to say anyway? 73 followers (and growing) later I would have to say I am really getting interested in Twitter.

Twitter is useful for shameless (well, not shameless) promotion of one's blog or Squidoo lens. I promoted my "How Many Musical Instruments Do You Play?" lens just the other day. You can also use it to promote your online storefront or eBay listings. What could be better!

UPDATE: I have now been tweeting for two months and am being followed by over 300 tweeple. I have met people from as far away as Australia and as close as a few hours away in Virginia. I have learned of great sweepstakes and found helpful sites for saving money. Who would have thought 140 characters could bring so many people together!

Twitter basics 

Today we will learn how to set up and start using Twitter. This is a great tool for getting the word out on what you are doing. Chat and network with thousands of Twitterers all over the world. Now that is what I call going global.

But you may be asking yourself, what is Twitter? Twitter is a social networking tool that is based upon one simple question, "What are you doing?" This question is answered in 140 character bursts. What can you say is 140 characters?

issues and fixes

check out status updates

other cool lenses on Twittering 

direct from the Twitter blog 

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Twitter is about relationships and small talk. It is about what real people are doing in real time. Really.

what you need to get started on Twitter 

animated, computerWhat will you need to get started? That is easy. You need access to a computer; you can use one at most local libraries for free. And you need a willingness to be a part of a massive global chat room. Have something to say? Send a Tweet. Want to learn something new? Search a Tweet. It is just that easy.

check this out

Hey, if you are at a loss on who to check out feel free to follow me @AnneOnline. I generally follow back.

real people really using Twitter 

Morning Coffee Photo VIII by schihei

Morning Coffee

Hello Boss by dynamist

Hello Boss

pdxpipeline twitter to kevin rose by PDX Pipeline

pdxpipeline tweet

kevin rose twitter response about Portland by PDX Pipeline

kevin rose tweet

My TweetDeck by donovanwatts

TweetDeck

finding your way to Twitter.com 

Head on over to Twitter.com and click on "Join the conversation". This will take you to the page where you create your very own Twitter account.


Can you feel the excitement? You are only a few short clicks away from thousands of Tweets and some awesome Tweeple.

what is Twitter

did you know?

You can twitter from your cell phone or PDA device.

how do you Twitter 

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Fail Whale - the curse of popularity

a rose by any other name would not smell as sweet 

or pungent, for that matter

It is time to create an awesome Twitter name. This could be your real name, an alias you use, a word or words that describe you or something you like. The possibilities are endless. But choose wisely young grasshopper, for this will be what the Twitterverse sees every time you Tweet.

Set up your password, include your email, and complete the captcha at the bottom. I also recommend checking the box "I want the inside scoop-please send me email updates!"

create a free Twitter account

 

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We at Squidoo passionately believe in creating new ways to support good causes online. By making a donation to America Can! Academy from this page, you are sending money directly to that organization, in whatever amount you want. We don't touch it. We don't even see it. The author of this page doesn't either. And if you made it this far, thanks for caring.

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Twitter browser style

Twitter web applications 

Twitter Web Applications
For those of you already familiar with Twitter it is time to step it up a notch. This lens is all about Twitter web applications. That's right! No downloading required.This lens has applications that allow you to send tweets directly from your browser from the page you are currently reading. Update

some cool people to follow

@Busymom
@CoffeeCupNews
@TheDailyBlonde
@freebies4mom
@FrugalDad
@problogger

it is all about you, baby 

Next fill in some more information about yourself so others know who you are and what you are about. This does not have to be in depth and personal. Include a link to your blog or favorite Squidoo. Upload a picture of yourself or something really cool that represents who you are.

 

Twitter: all the cool, and some not so cool, kids are doing it 

read all about it at Wikipedia!

Category: File - :Twitter.PNG|thumb|right|The twitter bird logo often seen around the website

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read each others' updates, known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters, displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to other users - known as followers - who have subscribed to them. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access. Users can send and receive tweets via the Twitter website, Short Message Service (SMS) or external applications. The service is free over the Internet, but using SMS may incur phone service provider fees.

Since its creation in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Twitter has gained notability and popularity worldwide. It is sometimes described as the "SMS of the Internet", as it provides the functionality?via its application programming interface (API)?for other desktop and web-based applications to send and receive short text messages, often obscuring the Twitter service itself.

Through SMS, users can communicate with Twitter through five gateway numbers: short codes for the United States, Canada, India, New Zealand, and an Isle of Man-based number for international use. There is also a short code in the United Kingdom which is only accessible to those in the Vodafone network.

Alexa ranks the site 27th in terms of web traffic.Alexa.com = Twitter Estimates of the number of daily users vary, because the company does not release the number of active accounts. However, a February 2009 Compete.com blog entry ranked Twitter as the third most used social network, which puts the number of unique monthly visitors at roughly 6 million and the number of monthly visits at 55 million; however, only 40% of users are retained. In March 2009, a Nielsen.com blog ranked Twitter as the fastest-growing site in the Member Communities category for February 2009. Twitter had a monthly growth of 1382%, Zimbio of 240%, followed by Facebook with an increase of 228%.

dress up your Twitter 


Tired of the same old background? Looking for something that really says you? Check out some of these great sites for dressing up your Twitter:


Just Tweet It
Randa Clay Design
Siah Design

Or just create your own using PowerPoint or Keynote, like I did.

Twitter on the go

Imagine Tweeting that great sale you found at the farmer's market.

Or warning others of a traffic jam you wish you were not in.

Twitter from, wherever

Twitter mobile applications 

Twitter Mobile Applications
For those of you already familiar with Twitter it is time to step it up a notch. This lens is all about Twitter mobile applications. That's right! Twitter from anywhere at anytime.Imagine, you are at the store and spot an amazing sale and want to share this with your friends in one easy burst. Just

bad Tweeple

how to set up and use Twitter 

a video tutorial on how to Tweet

What a great and informative video on what Twitter is all about. Just 140 characters brings you closer to those you care about. Just 140 characters opens doors and forms new relationships. So, how about it? What are you doing?

Twitter in Plain English

A quick and plain English intro the micro-blogging service Twitter. Follow us: http://www.twitter.com/commoncraft This video comes in an unbranded "presentation quality" version that can be licensed for use in the workplace. http://www.commoncraft.com/store-item/twitter

powered by YouTube

Twitter on your desktop

Twitter download applications 

Twitter Download Applications
For those of you already familiar with Twitter it is time to step it up a notch. This lens is all about Twitter download applications. That's right! Twitter from your desktop without having to have a browser window open.Download great applications such as TweetDeck and keep track of who is tweeting

find more about Twitter on eBay 

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eBay

what are you tweeting about? 

leave your Twitter name and I will follow your updates

monopoly wrote...

Good Lord! I never imagined that there were anywhere NEAR that many twitter tools, apps, sites, etc. And I have two twitter accounts! (monopoly and andylar1) Love twitter, love the shortness and to the pointedness of 140 character bursts. More info on using Twitter at Ninja Rockstar On Twitter

ReplyPosted February 03, 2009

Eclectic_Muse wrote...

Super information! I've been tweeting for a time now and I didn't quite get it, I just did it because everyone else was. Now I kind of do (get it), thanks to you!

ReplyPosted January 27, 2009