Twitter 101

Eileen O’Brien

@eileenobrien

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What’s Twitter?

• Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send updates or tweets (text-based posts up to 140 characters long) to anyone who opts to receive them

• Twitter simply asks: What are you doing?

• Launched October 2006 Gained popularity during SXSW in March 2007

Gained notoriety during SXSW in March 2008

How Do I Join Twitter?

Why Use Twitter?

• Twitter can help you reach your marketing, recruiting, sales or personal goals

• First, determine your reason for using Twitter: Learn more about a particular topic

Build relationships with people in your industry

Market a product or organization

Establish/control your personal brand

Provide customer support

• Your goal should dictate your approach

Different Approaches

Different Approaches

Different Approaches

Golden Rules

• Twitter is all about being human, so have personality

• Never say anything you wouldn’t want to say in front of your mother

• Remember, it’s a permanent record

• Treat others with respect

• Add value

Success Stories

• Dell (http://twitter.com/Direct2Dell)

• Comcast (http://twitter.com/ComcastCares)

• Zappos (http://twitter.com/zappos)

• American Red Cross (http://twitter.com/RedCross)

Who to Follow

• I recommend quality over quantity

• To find followers, search on your topics of interest

• Look at who others follow

• Check out tools such as http://whoshouldifollow.com

http://twitterel.com

http://twubble.com

http://nearbytweets.com

• Take your time and enjoy yourself

How To Get Followers

• When you follow someone send them a tweet explaining why you are following them

• Search on your area of interest and then answer questions or respond Http://tweetscan.com

• “Seek out people you can help, in real life, in charities and do it!” Wil Reynolds

Why Do I Use Twitter?

• Networking and knowledge To hear about organizations

and events

To learn and get interesting ideaso Links to articles/resources

To share knowledge

To stay innovative

To look for a job!

What’s Tweetdeck?

• There are a variety of applications that support Twitter and enable easier and mobile use Tweetdeck

Seesmic

Tweetfon

Tweetberry

• URL shorteners Bit.ly

TinyURL.com

ow.ly

Twitter Terms

• Twitter Terms Mistweet - A Twitter message you wish you hadn't sent

Tweetup - When Twitter users get together for an "in person" meeting

Twoosh - A perfect, 140 character Tweet

Retweet (RT) - When one Twitter user reposts a link shared by another Twitter user

Guidelines

• Chris Heuer’s Social Media Principles Don’t Just Be Human, Be Yourself

Don’t Just Be Aware, Be Smart

Don’t Just Be Honest, Have Integrity

Don’t Just Be Respectful, Live By the Golden Rule

Don’t Just Be a Participant, Contribute Value

Don’t Just Be Open, Be an Agent of Change

Don’t Just Be Courageous, Be Willing to Fail

Questions?

Thanks!