How to Twitter Using RSS Feeds
If you haven't heard of Twitter or really don't understand it, you soon will. Among other things, Twitter offers instant communication and the power of microblogging --- short, 140-character postings made accessible to and from computers and cell phones. If you Twitter using RSS feeds, posts can be made automatically from your blog or any RSS source.
It's not as difficult as it sounds. These tips can help you become a pro Twitterer in no time.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Basic knowledge of RSS feeds
- A blog or RSS feed
- TwitterFeed account (free)
- Twitter account (free)
Instructions
-
How to Add RSS Feeds to Twitter
-
1
Sign up for a Twitter account and fill out the basic information requested. Changes can be made later as you determine how Twitter will best meet your needs, be it intended for business, promotion, social networking or staying in touch with family and friends.
-
2
Decide on a direction for your Twitter account before you Twitter using RSS feeds. Otherwise, you will lose your audience. Talking about which TV show you're watching will not fit well on a promotional blog, for instance. Experimentation is fine in the early stages of use, however. If you just want to connect with others and update them on your blog or photos, that works well, too. Twitter has many uses, of which these offer only a few examples.
-
-
3
Twitter with RSS feeds by creating an account at TwitterFeed. You will be prompted for an "OpenID." Click on the button to the right of the log-in prompt, and a menu will expand to show pre-existing services that will work, such as Yahoo or Flicker. Additional alternatives exist, as well as an explanation of the OpenID process. If you have a listed account, simply paste your URL into the space. When your account is created, click "My Twitter Feeds."
-
4
Select "Create New Twitter Feed" to begin to add RSS feeds to Twitter. Paste in the URL of the RSS feed you wish to use. Often, this is done by right-clicking on the RSS Feed icon. Select Copy, then Paste.
-
5
Select "Test Twitter Authentication" and "Test Twitter Feed" prior to filling out the rest of the information concerning your RSS feed preferences. If all is well, fill out the remainder of the form.
-
6
Customize Twitter using RSS feeds by selecting how often you wish to update your Twitter and specifying any text that should precede the Twitter post. The text may be in caps to grab reader's attention or to help you distinguish between multiple RSS feeds. Words like "New" and "UPDATE" will work.
-
7
Repeat the process to add as many RSS feeds to Twitter as you wish. Additionally, you can use the RSS feed from your Twitter account to update your blog.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Twitter and TwitterFeed is still a work in progress. If you experience errors, try again later.
Keep up to date on new Twitter tools, including those which allow you to add RSS feeds, for best results.
Look for Firefox and Internet Explorer plug-ins for Twitter.
Know that you can Twitter right from your gmail and other accounts.
Twitter and TwitterFeed logos are property of the respective companies.
Resources
- Photo Credit internet image by arabesque from Fotolia.com
