Using Twitter- The Basics

Updating your account -- with a status message or "Tweet" -- is as simple as typing what you want to say to the Twitter community and clicking send. The service is opt-in, which means you have to choose to “follow” a Twitterer to get their updates. Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them. The sender can restrict delivery to those in his or her circle of friends (delivery to everyone being the default). Users can receive updates via the Twitter website, instant messaging, SMS, RSS, email or through an application such as TWITTERRIFIC or FACEBOOK.

Twitter is about your personality and your brand. You can easily customize the look-and-feel of your profile to better fit your personality and we recommend you do so. You should use your real name so that you’re easy to find on a search and so that your friends will recognize you when you follow them.

When opening an account, you have the option of “protecting your updates” to limit access to your updates. Note that if you protect your updates you will limit the amount of people following you and listening to what you have to Tweet.

What Makes a Good Twitterer:

A good Twitterer stays connected with the conversation; they listen and reply to others, and through doing this they add value to the discussion. When a lot of people first start Twittering, they follow figures with a lot of followers; however, you’ll find that you care more about people who twitter who you already know from other interactions. Often your favorite Twitterers are going to be your favorite bloggers, colleagues, and closest friends in “real” life.

What Makes a Good Tweet:

Be funny. Be snarky. Be helpful. Be authentic.

Sending tweets allows family, friends, colleagues, and even journalists to see what you’re currently doing without having to be contacted individually. Perhaps you just read an excellent editorial on the WSJ that you want to say something about --tweet it and include the link to the story. One of your friends on Twitter just Tweeted a great thought - reply to that person. McCain just released a hilarious new YouTube video -- tweet it and share the link. You just ate an awesome steak at the latest hot spot in town -- tweet it (even upload a picture and link to it if you’d like).