How to Use Twitter: Guide to Social Networking and Internet Marketing on Twitter

Then he got distracted by a worm, flew away, and left you spiraling across the Twitterverse, wondering what "ReTweet" means, how to find friends, and how to send messages on this latest internet phenomenon.

Despite seeming difficult at first glance, Twitter is quite possibly the easiest social networking site on the internet today. Being text-based, Twitter does not take a great deal of time to load like many MySpace Pages, and since you can update from anywhere using your phone, it's quick and easy to keep up with friends and family, promote your music and writing, and expand your business!

Before we get to the Twitter How-to, let's address some Twitter Vocabulary that will help you "Twoobies" ("Twitter Newbies") have fun in Twitterville.

Twitter Vocabulary Defined

Twitter:

- noun: a social networking site at http://twitter.com where celebrities, businesses, and people from all over the world are connecting in real-time.

example: "I nearly tripled my Associated Content page views in 1 week using Twitter!" (I really did! Thank you, everyone!)

Tweeter:

- noun: A person who posts on Twitter.

example: "I follow 800 tweeters on Twitter, and I love the ongoing conversation!"

Tweet:

- noun: A post on Twitter.
- verb: To post on Twitter.

example: "Did you see my tweet? I tweeted about Twitter!"

ReTweet ("RT"):

- noun: A "forwarded" "tweet" on Twitter.
- verb: To forward a "tweet" on Twitter.

example: "Please ReTweet my tweet about Twitter! I'll ReTweet your tweets, too!"

"How do I ReTweet?"

- Simply type "RT @username:" before the original Tweeter's tweet.

(example: "RT @marypascoe: Win Your Own Theme Song! I'll pick one tweeter a month and write a song about them! It could be YOU! Visit http://twitter.marypascoe.com for more info!")

ReTweeting can be done in one-click by using TweetDeck, which we will address later in this Twitter How-to Guide.

Hashtag ("#"):

- noun: A tag on Twitter made by placing a pound sign ("#") before any word.

example: "I use your #TeamBritney #hashtag to try to win free Britney Spears Concert Tickets! RT @marypascoe: Support Britney Spears by tagging your posts #TeamBritney!"

(Visit http://britney.marypascoe.com for more #TeamBritney information)

A tweet with a hashtag is automatically threaded at http://www.hashtags.org, which allows users to track Twitter Trends (see what's happening on Twitter right now!), find new friends at Twitter with common interests, and see what people are talking about on Twitter right now!

You may create your own hashtag by marking any word with a pound sign ("#"). If the hashtag already exists, your tweet will be added to the thread.

Read my poem about Twitter Hashtags here on Associated Content: http://tiny.cc/twittpoem.

(Note: You may also search Twitter Topics to find friends and track Twitter Trends at http://search.twitter.com.)

Twitterati:

- noun: The "Tweet Elite"-- a special group of tweeters who tweet a lot and attract thousands of followers.

example: "I love reading the tweets of the Twitterati! They know a lot about Twitter!"

Visit http://twitterati.alltop.com to learn more about the top Twitter Users.

Twitterville:

- noun: The community you enter when you log on to Twitter.

example: "Off to visit Twitterville, mom! See you in a few hours!"

Twitterverse:

- noun: The section of cyberspace you enter when you log on to Twitter (a synonym of sorts for "Twitterville").

example: "Ashton Kutcher was the first tweeter in the Twitterverse to reach 1 million followers, beating CNN and Britney Spears."

(Ashton Kutcher is Twitter User @aplusk)

Tweeple / Tweeps:

- plural noun: The people of Twitter.

example: "Time to get off Twitter! 'Tweet' dreams, tweeps!"

Twittsess:

- verb: To obsess over Twitter.

* commonly used adjective: "twittsessed" - "I'm so obsessed with Twitter that I'm twittsessed!!")

#FollowFriday:

- noun: A Twitter Event occurring every Friday in which tweeters suggest twitters for other followers to read. Invented by Twitter user @micah.

example: "#FollowFriday @SomersetBob! He knows a lot about voice-over work and blogging!!"

#Dancebreak:

- noun: A hashtag to tweet that you are dancing around to a great song.

example: "#dancebreak! Circus - Britney Spears 'I'm a put-on-a-show kind of girl'-- me, too!"

See http://twittsessed.com for more ("Twittsessed: For All Things Twitter and the Twitter-Obsessed!").

Now that you know some Twitter Vocabulary, it's time to learn how to use Twitter! Without further adieu, here is your QuickStart Guide to Twitter!

How to Use Twitter

Step 1: Join Twitter!

Sign up at Twitter.Com. Most celebrities use their proper name (like Facebook), but feel free to use a creative handle (username) that shows off your personality, like well-known Blogger and Tweeter, @mashable.

Step 2: Twitter Profile

Fill out your Twitter Profile (Click on "Settings" at the top; fill in your name, website, biography, and location).

Step 3: Add a "userpic" to your Twitter Account

Adding a "userpic" (a small picture that shows up to next to your Twitter posts) humanizes you, which makes you more apt to gain followers.

In the "Settings" page on Twitter.Com, select the "Picture" tab. Read the handy information Twitter provides in order to upload the photograph that best serves your needs on Twitter.

You may change this photo at any time (I like to change mine often to keep things interesting).

Step 4: Add a background to your Twitter Page

Still in the "Settings" page on Twitter.Com, select the "Design" tab. You may choose a Twitter Background or use any picture you like (make sure it's not copyrighted) by clicking "Change background image." You may also change the colors on your Twitter page on the "Design" tab.

Step 5: Set up Twitter on your mobile phone so you can update and receive tweets from anyone

Click on the "Devices" tab to set up Twitter on your cell phone. Enter your mobile phone number and
adjust the settings to your liking.

Using Twitter by texting is a free service from Twitter, but make sure your mobile phone plan includes unlimited texts, especially if you "subscribe" to receive Twitter Tweets from users who post often (like myself!).

You can even turn off Twitter Texts on the "Devices" tab whenever you are sleeping, in a meeting, or need to make a phone call and receive too many texts to hear properly.

Step 6: Download a Twitter Client for your Computer and/or Twitter App for Your Phone

Using Twitter could not be easier with clients like TweetDeck, Twitterific, Twhirl, Spaz, Blogo, Digsby, Opera, and more!

I suggest downloading "TweetDeck," which makes using Twitter as quick, easy, and user-friendly as AOL and AOL Instant Messenger. There you can "tweet" and "retweet" with one click! You can even make friend groups on TweetDeck for ease of reading, automatically shorten URLS using bit.ly, twurl, tinyurl, and more!

TweetDeck even integrates Facebook, so you can not only send and receive Facebook Status Updates using Twitter, but you can even chat with Facebook friends using your Twitter Account on TweetDeck!

You can choose by checking a "Facebook" box whether or not to send your tweets to Twitter!

TweetDeck also allows you to easily upload pictures using TwitPic! Which leads us to the next step!

Step 7: Sign up at TwitPic to post pictures on Twitter

If you are wondering how to post pictures on Twitter, you will be ecstatic to learn how easy it is!

First, go to TwitPic.Com and sign up using your Twitter username. TwitPic is very easy to use, but wait... it gets better!

Now that you have downloaded TweetDeck, you may automatically upload TwitPics using the "TwitPic" button on the righthand side of the TweetDeck Interface.

Step 8: How to Post Videos on Twitter

Using 12seconds.tv, you may post videos on Twitter directly from your mobile phone or TweetDeck.

Sign up at http://12seconds.tv.

To post videos longer than 12 seconds, upload to YouTube and "tweet" links. This is also a great way to get more YouTube subscribers and great exposure for your music, acting, and the like.

Step 9: How to Post Music on Twitter - "What is Music Monday?"

Twt.fm has teamed up with Imeem.Com to bring you a quick and easy way to share music on Twitter!

Just go to Twt.fm! They make it very simple.

Anything on Imeem can be shared on Twitter - if you are a musician, simply sign up at Imeem and upload your songs in order to easily post them for the people of Twitterville.

Tweeters are encouraged to share music on Mondays in this manner. Tag your posts with the "#MusicMonday" hashtag.

Search for "MusicMonday" at Hashtags.org whenever you want to hear some great music that people on Twitter recommend!

Step 10: HAVE FUN!!

That's it! You're tweeting on Twitter!

Now I will answer some common Twitter questions I receive from friends and "twoobies" around the world.

Twitter FAQ

"Why are Twitter messages only 140 characters?"

Twitter messages are limited to 140 characters because this is the limit for most SMS Messaging ("Text" Messaging) capable mobile phones.

Twitter posts are meant to be short and sweet, which adds to the charm. Feel free to link to your blog if you would like to share a longer story.

"What is a 'Tiny URL' and why would I need to use that on Twitter?"

Since Twitter posts are limited to 140 characters, there are many resources currently available to shorten URLs so that you may point your followers to any site on the web regardless of the length of the original address.

Some Twitter Clients automatically shorten URLS, but you may also visit a website like http://bit.ly or http://tiny.cc for this service. Tiny.CC makes it easy for you to track hits for your shortened URLS on Twitter.

"How do I send a private message on Twitter?"

Simply type "d" followed by a space, then "@" and your friend's username, one more space, then your message!

example: "d @GossTV I really like your YouTube videos! What do you think of Susan Boyle?"

This will go directly into Twitter user @GossTV's direct message mailbox. Accessible from the web, mobile phone, or desktop application like TweetDeck, Twitter really is easier and quicker than email!

Unlike on MySpace, you cannot send a direct message on Twitter unless the user is following you.

This is good news for you, because it cuts down on spam immeasurably. If someone spams you, "unfollow" them.

"How do I see who isn't following me back?"

To see who isn't following you on Twitter, as well as who follows you without you following back, visit Friend or Follow at http://www.friendorfollow.com.

"What is the Public Timeline? Are my Twitter posts going to show up for the world to see?"

The Twitter Public Timeline (http://twitter.com/public_timeline) displays every new public post worldwide in real-time. This is a great way to see what the world is talking about and make new friends on Twitter.

If you would not like your posts to appear on the public timeline, simply mark your entries private.

"How do I make my Twitter posts private?"

To make all your Twitter posts private, click "Settings" at the top of your Twitter home page. In the "Account" tab (which will automatically open), check the box at the bottom that says, "Protect my updates."

"How do I gain followers on Twitter?"

To find friends on Twitter, visit Twello, the Twitter Yellow Pages and Twitter Directory, or use Hashtags and visit Hashtags.Org to find users with similar interests or senses of humor.

Thanks to @micah for creating #FollowFriday, you and your Twitter Followers are encouraged to share new tweeters amongst each other. I have found that the best way to make friends on Twitter is to be yourself, talk to people, and post amusing pictures and content.

Asking questions also helps gain followers, keep the ongoing conversation that is Twitter going, and build a community.

eample: "Who here thinks that Adam Lambert will beat Danny Gokey on American Idol? I like Allison Iraheta! #idol"

To sign up at Twello, the Twitter Directory, Twitter Search, and Twitter Yellow Pages, follow this URL: http://www.twello.com.

You can even create and win contests on Twitter!

I was recently lucky enough to win Britney Spears Concert Tickets ("Ringside" VIP Tickets to her Los Angeles concert, "The Circus," with the Pussycat Dolls) on Twitter simply by tweeting about Britney.

Hugh Jackman, star of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," held a contest in which he challenged tweeters to convince him in 140 characters or less why their favorite charity should receive his $100,000 donation.

Now I run a monthly "Write Me a Song, Mary!!" Contest on Twitter, and you can get in on the fun, too!

Holding your own contests, posting interesting content, and really interacting with people is ultimately the best way to gain followers on Twitter.

"Which Celebrities Can I Follow on Twitter?"

Here are a few celebrities on Twitter you can start following to learn what it's like to be in the public eye:

Britney Spears on Twitter - @britneyspears
"Hannah Montana" star and singer Miley Cyrus on Twitter - @mileycyrus
John Mayer on Twitter- @johncmayer
Ben Lyons - @IamBenLyons
Taylor Swift on Twitter - @taylorswift13
Celebrity Blogger Perez Hilton on Twitter - @perezhilton
Snoop Dogg on Twitter - @snoopdogg on "Twizzle!"
"Keeping up with the Kardashians" star Kim Kardashian on Twitter - @kimkardashian
Hugh Jackman on Twitter - @RealHughJackman
Oprah on Twitter - @oprah
Shaq on Twitter - @the_real_shaq
Lance Armstrong on Twitter - @lancearmstrong
Jimmy Fallon on Twitter ("Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and "SNL" Fame) - @jimmyfallon
Heidi Montag on Twitter (MTV's "The Hills") - @heidimontag
Spencer Pratt on Twitter (MTV's "The Hills") - @spencerpratt

Many more Celebrities on Twitter can be found at "Celebrity Tweets": http://www.celebritytweets.com.

"What are StockTwits? I heard you can get stock information on Twitter."

According to StockTwits on their website, "StockTwits is an open, community-powered investment idea and information service. You can think of it as Bloomberg for the little guy and gal. Eavesdrop on what traders and investors are talking about RIGHT NOW or contribute to the conversation and build your reputation and following as a savvy market wizard."

Visit StockTwits on the web at http://www.stocktwits.com.

There you are! Everything you need to know about Twitter to get you started.

Keep your eyes and ears open! Twitter is still fairly new, and with its rapid growth, there will no doubt be many great additions to this free service.

Enjoy your time in Twitterville!

**

I hope you have enjoyed this guide to Twitter and the Twitterverse! If you have any more questions about Twitter, please feel free to ask me!

Follow me at http://www.twitter.com/marypascoe for all the latest tips, fun stuff, and more!

For more Twitter Help, visit Twitter Support on the web at http://help.twitter.com.