Twitter 101Twitter 101Getting StartedGetting Started

Molly SlyMolly Sly@mollysly@mollyslyhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/mollyslyhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/mollysly

What is Twitter?What is Twitter?

A free microblog – a moment in timeA free microblog – a moment in time You have 140 characters in which to “tweet”You have 140 characters in which to “tweet” It’s not REALLY just “What are you doing right It’s not REALLY just “What are you doing right

now?”now?” It is about:It is about:

• What you are learning, reading, attendingWhat you are learning, reading, attending• Who you’re listening to and what they’re sayingWho you’re listening to and what they’re saying• Breaking newsBreaking news• And yes, sometimes it is about what you ate for lunchAnd yes, sometimes it is about what you ate for lunch

Twitter is a ToolTwitter is a Tool Like other social media tools, you can:Like other social media tools, you can:

• View content from others View content from others • Create content for others to viewCreate content for others to view• YOU MUST DO BOTHYOU MUST DO BOTH

Much like LinkedIn you have to work at building Much like LinkedIn you have to work at building your networkyour network• The more you put in the more you get outThe more you put in the more you get out

It’s a free and easy distribution method and more It’s a free and easy distribution method and more people are joining dailypeople are joining daily• It grew over 700% last year!It grew over 700% last year!

Setting up your AccountSetting up your Account Pick a user friendly Twitter IDPick a user friendly Twitter ID

• @yourname@yourname• It’s your personal brand – make it easy to findIt’s your personal brand – make it easy to find• The longer your ID, the less characters you have The longer your ID, the less characters you have

for your tweetsfor your tweets Write your profileWrite your profile

• What do you do? What are you about?What do you do? What are you about?• Link to a URL, even if it’s your LinkedIn profileLink to a URL, even if it’s your LinkedIn profile

If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile come see If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile come see me after class!!me after class!!

Use a face shot for your avatarUse a face shot for your avatar

Start Following PeopleStart Following People Use Twitter applications to find your peopleUse Twitter applications to find your people

• www.twellow.comwww.twellow.com AND AND www.tweepsearch.comwww.tweepsearch.com These apps search through biosThese apps search through bios You can search for titles, companies, industries, etc.You can search for titles, companies, industries, etc.

• www.summize.comwww.summize.com This app searches ALL twitter conversationsThis app searches ALL twitter conversations It offers real time searchIt offers real time search

• Run a search on any topic to see who’s talking about it. Run a search on any topic to see who’s talking about it. You can search company names, products, locations, You can search company names, products, locations, etc. etc.

As you find people to follow, see who they are talking to As you find people to follow, see who they are talking to and follow them as welland follow them as well

Follow the social media gurusFollow the social media gurus• Use tools like http//twitterati.alltop.comUse tools like http//twitterati.alltop.com

Jump in – The Water is Fine!Jump in – The Water is Fine! Build your brand Build your brand Start getting engaged in conversationsStart getting engaged in conversations

• Answer people’s questionsAnswer people’s questions• Post links to blogs or articlesPost links to blogs or articles

Use a URL shortener like Use a URL shortener like www.tinyurl.comwww.tinyurl.com to save to save some characterssome characters

• Retweet posts you think are relevantRetweet posts you think are relevant Don’t be a lurkerDon’t be a lurker Don’t tweet every three secondsDon’t tweet every three seconds

Learn the LingoLearn the Lingo Tweep: a Twitter userTweep: a Twitter user Tweet: sending a message on TwitterTweet: sending a message on Twitter @: use to reply to a specific tweep, but visible to @: use to reply to a specific tweep, but visible to

allall DM: direct message sent to someoneDM: direct message sent to someone

• They must be following youThey must be following you #: hash tag, used to track a topic#: hash tag, used to track a topic Tw + any word: a staple with twitter (tweeple, Tw + any word: a staple with twitter (tweeple,

tweetup, etc.)tweetup, etc.)• Careful, people can get annoyed if you talk like Careful, people can get annoyed if you talk like

Tweety Bird too often!Tweety Bird too often!

Third Party ClientsThird Party Clients

There are several and they make utilizing There are several and they make utilizing Twitter much easier Twitter much easier (http://twitter.com/downloads)(http://twitter.com/downloads)

TweetDeck TweetDeck • I use this and I HIGHLY recommend itI use this and I HIGHLY recommend it• Allows you to organize your tweeps into Allows you to organize your tweeps into

groupsgroups• Alerts you to new tweets, DMs, repliesAlerts you to new tweets, DMs, replies• Tweet, RT, DM, shorten URLs all from Tweet, RT, DM, shorten URLs all from

herehere