What’s the deal with Twitter?

I created a Twitter account over a year ago and really didn’t give it a second thought. I figured it was just another “distraction” in the online world. I would update here and there, “Tweeting” things like, “I’m hungry” and “Hey guess what? Chicken butt!” I had barely any followers back then and I barely followed anyone. I merely logged on to Twitter.com or updated from my mobile phone just for something to do. A year later and my Twitter account has taken on a life of it’s own and I now have hundreds of followers and am following hundreds. I also have “Tweeted” (or “updated”) over one thousand times. Today, I use Twitter as more of a promotional tool. I ask people to check out certain blog posts or ask for advice in switching blog templates. There is generally someone out there who will indulge.

I see more and more people using Twitter to promote their products, blogs, businesses, etc. Has Twitter taken the place of blogging? No, of course not. It has just provided us a way to spread the word more about ourselves and our endeavors. Consider it mirco-blogging, if you will. It has opened dialogue between people who would have most likely never known about each other. It has provided a way for families, colleagues and friends to quickly update on the who, what, where and when of their lives.

Signing up for a Twitter account is as easy as tying your shoe. Point your browser to www.twitter.com/signup and create your username. If you have a blog or a business, it’s not a bad idea to give your Twitter account the same name. People can easily search and find you based on that information. It’s also not a bad idea to use your name, that is, if you don’t mind that kind of exposure. Fill out the rest of the required information and click to create your account. You will be directed to another page that asks if you’d like to search your email contacts in Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL, Gmail or MSN. You can skip this part if you’d like to use Twitter as a tool to jot down thoughts for no one but yourself. On the next page, start Twittering or Tweeting away! It’s really THAT easy.

Here is some basic information for you. A “Tweet” can be up to 140 characters – that could be around three full sentences. Click the “Update” button to post your Tweet. There are four tabs located under the text box: Recent, Replies, Archive and Everyone. Recent will display your friend’s Tweets, Replies will display Tweets directed at you, Archive will display your history, and the Everyone tab shows the public Twitter timeline. Under Settings, you have the option to make your updates private, so they do not show up on the public timeline.

When you want to reply or direct a Tweet at someone, click the little reply arrow to the right of their Tweet. You will see the @ symbol in your text box followed by that person’s username (ie: @parentsphere). Type your message and click to Update. Your Twitter reply will then appear in that user’s timeline. To make sure you’re reading replies to your Tweets, click your Replies tab. Remember that if you’re replying to someone’s update to choose the reply function, otherwise, your Tweet will not show up for that user as a reply to his or her message. If you click Settings at the top of the page, you are able to manage your user preferences.

There are endless possible uses for this unique type of micro-blogging or instant messaging. If you take the time to familiarize yourself with the simple functions of this fabulous tool, you will find yourself connecting with many people in all different walks of life. Just a word of warning: Twitter is HIGHLY addictive and quite a time sucker. Know when to pull yourself away or you could end up missing on the finer things in life, like sitting on the floor playing play dough with your toddler.

Author: Amy Comments: 1 comment Date: 20 May 2008
Categories: Blog, Hers Tags: social networking, technology

There are 1 comment. Leave a comment!

¬ Gil Janoff
#14752 June 1st, 2010 at 8:47 pm

Hello,Excellent article dude! i am Tired of using RSS feeds and do you use twitter?so i can follow you there:D.
PS:Have you thought to be putting video to this blog to keep the people more interested?I think it works.Yours, Gil Janoff