Ok you lot, by reading on, you are automatically enrolled in my new course "Twitter 101". Pay attention, there will be a quiz at the end of the course.
Twitter is marketed as a "micro-blogging" site, but crikey, that even sounds scary to me.
Essentially it means that you're limited to 140 characters per tweet (actually, you're not, there are ways to get around that but for the sake of this explanation, I'll keep it simple).
Like facey, there is a wall, but it is known as a "timeline" or TL for short. There is also a private message service whereby you can chat up hotties behind the scenes (if they're following you). That is called DM "direct message". FYI...there are some HOT tweeps. H O T. As in smokin' hot to infinity and beyond. I'll cover dealing with the hotties in my next course, Twitter 201.
You follow people, and if they're interested in you or what you have to say (tweet) or your business, they'll follow you back.
On facey, you can "like" a comment to show your appreciation. The twitter version of facey liking is to retweet "RT" the tweet to your followers.
You can also use a #hashtag which will allow you to find and follow certain topics on twitter.
Lets recap:
TL = timeline = like the facebook homepage wall
DM = direct message = gives you the ability to tweet someone privately without the world perving on your conversation
RT = retweet. You can retweet something that someone else has tweeted that appeals to your sense of humour, views, or relates to your business, etc.
#hashtag = allows you to ensure your tweet won't get lost in the twitterverse if you're talking about a particular subject, ie #lunchtime #eqnz #jealous
Some tips:
1. Put up a profile pic immediately, otherwise you'll appear as an "egg". Totally ironic.
2. Write an interesting bio...you'd be surprised at the info you can squeeze in. Also add a blog or website address if possible.
My rules:
(whether tweeting as an individual or as a representative of your business):
1. Be polite. Be gracious. Be interesting. Be witty!!!
2. Get involved. Twitter doesn't "work" for you. You have to put in the hard yards in order to reap the benefits (friendships and business growth). Its helpful if you already know a few prolific tweeters, or have a few mates already using twitter. But ultimately, this is social media. You need to become actively involved in order to fully enjoy what it has to offer.
3. Follow hashtags of things that interest you. One of my coolest friends on twitter and I hooked up because we both used #rw2011 (royal wedding). If it wasn't for that hashtag, we may never have met, but now catch up on a daily basis. Plus she reads this blog. Hi gf!
And finally, my diligent students, I present you with a pop-quiz. Good luck.
Multi-choice Quiz:
1. RT stands for:
(a) Regular Tweet
(b) Retweet
(c) Ridiculous Tweet
(d) Really Topical
2. A hashtag allows you to:
(a) find and follow certain topics of interest
(b) end a tweet
(c) start a tweet
(d) its an abbreviation
3. TL stand for:
(a) Total loser
(b) Twitterline
(c) Timeline
(d) Tweep Love
Tweet your answers to @WriteOnNZ. Extra points will be awarded if you use an appropriate hashtag :-P
Brilliant explanation!!
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