Things You'll Need:
- computer
- twitter account
- time
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Step 1
Go to http://twitter.com and sign up for a Twitter account. It is simple to sign up and you will just need an email address and some basic personal information.
You will need to choose a username. This can be your name, your business name or a combination of both. If you have a blog, you can choose to use the name of your blog. Any name is acceptable but remember to make it something people will easily remember and not perceive as spam. -
Step 2
Before you start "tweeting" make sure you have a "Bio" written and a link to your blog or website. You can do this in the "edit profile" section.
People want to know about you! You can only make this "bio" 140 characters long so make sure you make your message unique. EVERYONE is a 'social media specialist' so you do not have to mention that. If you are on a social network, then you are a specialist. Tell everyone something they do not know! Make people want to follow you by standing out in the crowd. -
Step 3
Do not use the Twitter 'default' icon as your avatar! Be creative!Post a picture or at least a memorable icon. With thousands of new "tweeters" joining Twitter daily, you need to be more than that little brown box that they give you as a default icon.
Think of your icon as your personal brand. A real photo is great so you appear "human" in this very impersonal world we live in. If you choose not to use a picture, use an eye catching icon. Your business or blog logo would be a good choice! -
Step 4
Once you get on Twitter, find some interesting people to follow. You can search using key words according to your interests or you might already know several people who use Twitter.
If you are a blogger, check the blogs that you read. Most people now have a Twitter account and would be happy to have you follow them to keep up on what they are doing.
Read bios, find people who interest you and click "follow". They may or may not follow you back, but if you interact with them, chances are they will! -
Step 5
Communicate with others! If you go on Twitter to just post links to your blog or business site, you'll put people to sleep or they will eventually un-follow you. Show your human side and connect with people about more than just your blog or business. People want to know you are real!
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Step 6
Do not follow people and then forget they exist. Try to respond if someone tweets you. If you are anti-social, then why are you on Twitter? As your Twitter following grows, you may find it difficult to respond to each and every tweet, but it is very important that you at least try. If you do not have the time to respond to tweets and are just on the site to broadcast your self-promoting links, you will not make good social connections.
Cultivate relationships without being spammy and self absorbed. People gravitate to those who show them attention. -
Step 7
ENJOY Twitter! Have fun! Twitter is like a party you can come to any time of the day or night. The people you "meet" at this party may become great friends or fabulous business connections. Settle in, grab something to drink and tweet away. Share important information, something inspirational or just some kind or funny words.
Comments
omghow said
on 11/19/2009 Thanks
bonnie67 said
on 9/20/2009 I enjoyed your post about Twitter.
There is so much to learn on twitter and
about twitter. I hate the brown icon they
have on twitter. I agree some type of picture
is good and feel out your bio. Seen to many with
out a bio.
Rite not I'm doing some blogs on service like MrTweet.com and +1 service http://hellopositron.com/
and how they will be helpful on twitter. Plus it nice to let your followers know they have helped in some way or brought value to you.
excellence12 said
on 9/15/2009 I'm always learning about being a 'Power Tweeter.' It is fun and always interesting. Your Tweets are great! Well written article with helpful information that is easy to follow. It's another *5* and a Rec. (I thought that I already had... sorry!)
tshved said
on 9/8/2009 Good information. I try to twitter every day.
beautyqueen26 said
on 9/6/2009 Twitter is so much fun! And a great way to keep up with friends when you can't talk to them on the phone. But there's also a fair share of SPAM on Twitter and you have to put up with that too. Or, you can just simply 'unfriend' someone who SPAMs too much. I've never unfriended anyone but it can be done. Thanks for all that great advice. Will keep in mind. Five stars for your article and a recommendation! *****
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