How to Use Twitter with Instant Messaging

Contributor

By Alexia Petrakos
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(9 Ratings)

Start IMing with Twitter.

Twitter looks like just another time-sink, but it's a great way to increase exposure to your sites, find some new and interesting things on the web, keep track of what your friends are doing and perhaps make new friends. You can update Twitter through your browser, but you can also use your instant messenger program (AIM, GTalk, Jabber, LJTalk or .Mac) to quickly send updates (aka Tweets) to Twitter.

Be forewarned, though, if you've got an addictive personality - it will suck you in.

How to Use Twitter with Instant Messaging
Twitter looks like just another time-sink, but it's a great way to increase exposure to your sites, find s… More
How to Add Your Friends' Addresses to AOL Instant Messenger
When you add your friends' names to your Buddy List, you can send them instant messages just by highlighti… More
How to Get the AOL Instant Messenger Easter Egg and SmarterChild
In software programs, an Easter egg is an item that is hidden in the program. It's usually something amusi… More
How to Make Your Own AOL Icon
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) offers freedom and convenience in communication, so why not take it all the wa… More
How to Install the Latest AOL Instant Messenger on Windows Vista
AOL Instant Messenger's (AIM) popularity is still intact even with the advent of Web 2.0 social media appl… More
How to Remove AOL Instant Messenger
AOL Instant Messenger continually updates its Instant Messenger freeware and recommends new versions to it… More
How to Make Animated AIM Icons
AIM revolutionized online communication when it came out in 1997. AOL purchased the company that created … More
How to Roll the Dice on AIM
Whether you're playing Dungeons and Dragons or Monopoly through AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), the Roll Dice… More
How to Use AOL on Ebuddy
Ebuddy is a free web service that allows you to instant message your friends and family without having to … More
About AIM on PSP
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is one of the most popular instant messaging services. Initially, AIM was onl… More
How to Sign on to AOL
AOL is home to millions of members. You can make AOL your homepage or create AOL screensavers instantly. T… More
How to Save an AIM Conversation
Sometimes the best and easiest way to talk to someone is with AOL Instant Messenger® (AIM). But if your co… More
How to Send Messages With AOL Instant Messenger
E-mail just not fast enough? Use the free AOL Instant Messenger to send instantaneous messages to your fri… More
How to Change an AOL Instant Messenger Password
Instant messaging, or IM, has quickly become a popular means of communication in today's networked society… More
How to Video Chat Using AIM
As technology has progressed and high-speed Internet connections have become readily available, video conf… More

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Computer
Web browser
Internet connection
Instant messaging (IM) program

Step 1

If you haven't already, go to Twitter.com and hit the "Join For Free" link to create your account.
Step 2

Sign into Twitter.
Step 3

Select the "Settings" link on the top of the page.
Step 4

Hit the "Phone & IM" link the top of this page to enter in your Instant Messenger username and select which program you use.
Step 5

Type in your IM username and select your Instant Messenger client, then hit the "Save" button.
Step 6

Send the string of letters that appears on the next page to the Twitter Instant Messenger account (TwitterIM for AOL Instant Messenger) using your Instant Messenger program and wait for a response from Twitter. Twitter will respond: "Your device has been verified and is on. Send 'off' at any time to silence. Send 'help' for more."
Step 7

Fire up your instant messenger program and send an IM instead of going to the website to update your tweets!

Tips & Warnings

If you've followed all the steps and Twitter does not send an IM back to you, hit the "Delete and Start Over" button on the "Phone & IM" page and start back on Step 4.
Twitter is addictive, pace yourself.
Be courteous and respectful of other folks. No one likes a troll.
If you market your website or blog with Twitter, be a good 'net citizen and intersperse some non-advertising tweets.

Resources

Comments

alexiapetrakos said

Flag This Comment

on 10/8/2008 There are so many new Twitter Clients (Twitteriffic, Twirl, Tweetr, Spaz...) these days it's easy to get your tweets on your desktop - I guess since the API has been so widely distributed lately there's no need for the IM client, but there is still a spot for IM integration.

vangyblue said

Flag This Comment

on 10/7/2008 There is no longer an application or setting for IM. They only list a "device" and its only your mobile phone. did they stop doing IM for desktops or IM services??!! I prefer IM when I am on my computer at home.