How to Twitter - Part One : Why Twitter? Get signed up
How to Twitter - Part Two : Setting up your Profile
How to Twitter - Part Three: Follow and Get Followed
Today... Part Four will address The Conversation.
After you have accumulated some people that you follow, you will see them talking. Time to join in!! Twitter is only a good thing if you use it!
I have some tips to share with you when you are thinking about what to write:
- Be yourself.
- Don't be a Salesy Real Estate Agent or other. Don't constantly ask, "Who wants to buy a home in Timbucktu?"
- Don't be Link Happy with your own posts. Link up other posts that you have enjoyed reading - and most of the time, don't link at all.
- You aren't limited to "What are you Doing?" You can use "What are you thinking?" "What's for lunch?" "Here is my question for you" etc. No rules!
- Don't use it like a chat room. (I can be too chatty ::guilt face::) If you continue one-on-one conversation - take it outside of twitter to a chat program, email, or phone call!
Now onto The Conversation.
To send a general message just type 140 characters or less into the box and enter:
Trying to decide whether to work on Inbox Zero, convert paper to .pdf files, or Twitter some more!
To direct your conversation to someone:(keep in mind, others can see your conversation)
@KimWood Congrats on your news of the day!! You are going to write for Mothers Fighting for Others !!
I just heard that @KimWood is a new writer at Mothers Fighting for Others !!!
(The 1st suggestion is better, it is easier to view your replies if the name is at the beginning of the sentence)
To direct your conversation to more than one person:
@KimWood @HeadMutha @Respres Yay for the new Mothers Fighting for Others gig!
A new writer at Mother's Fighting for Others @KimWood @headmutha @respres yay!
or
@KimWood Congrats, that is great news!!! @SarahWV You write for Mothers Fighting for Others, don't you?
(see the above example - better to put @names at the beginning of a sentence)
To send a private, direct message: (the person you are sending the message to must follow you in order to DM them - but you can @reply)
d KimWood No wonder you were bursting at the seams to tell us.
D [SPACE] name then your message.
* What happens on the internet stays on the internet - just a quick reminder. Be careful with DMs. What happens if you forget the space - or twitter has a hiccup? (haha remembering VAR convo at breakfast and my DMs)
Most of all ... have fun!!! Remember it gets more and more difficult to keep up the conversation after you have more and more followers.
Part Five - Extras on Twitter Web
Oh, those DMs!!!! *Eeek!*
CONGRATULATIONS again on MFFO!!!!! :D I am thrilled to have you there! (Rocky is one wise @headmutha, huh?) :)
Thanks, Kim! Good info. Still don't know if I am twit material or not.
Thanks for the great twitter tips I'm still getting my head wrapped around this program.
How smart are you...thanks so much! KM
I tried to twitter, still don't get it!
Kim, you're the bomb! Thank you for all this helpful info!
Kim,
thanks for part 4. You really have helped me understand twitter a lot better. I can hardly wait for part 5!!!! Thanks!!
I'm getting more and more comfortable each time I use Twitter, thanks to you and your tips. CONGRATs for being invited to write for MFFOs, by the way! Awesome website and what a privilege.
@Sarah - MWA and ::SMILE::
@Amanda - Some people are, some aren't - it's ok either way - but great that you *try*
@Justin - Jump right in!
@Kristin - Hey! I just tweeted to you - and you did to me - YAY!!!
@realtor - Feel free to email me if you have particular questions! Did you read from Part One?
@Marianne - Awh - thanks , just trying to help out.
@Tony - Yipeeee!
@Tom & Sandy - (I think Sandy)... good! The more you practice the better you'll be - wait, didn't you teach me that???? Thank you - I really am still floating "up there" somewhere.
Kim - thanks, I have to go through this again when I can think better (lack of sleep is catching up with me). ~Rita
More great stuff... keep it coming... still looking forward to the AP class :)
A million thanks Kim!
Hey Kim...we just started following each other last night, and I found your blog here on AR as well! Thanks for making some inroads as to why I should Twitter. Interesting note....it does not seem to be a big thing here in ATL, which is surprizing since ATL has been listed as one of the most "wired" cities in the US? And I live righ next to GATech....an TECHNOLOGY school! Interesting!
Hi Kim! Great tutorial! I will be bookmarking this for one of my classes! Please DM me if that's not cool with you. And congrats on the new gig!
Good tips! I keep learning more about Twitter. For example, I thought I could only up date "what I'm doing".
thanks!
Kim,
Thank you so much. You can even imagine how much help you have been. I still have many questions and look forward to part 5. What happens it I type in What are you doing? when I am in the side bar @replies? How come some profiles have an Action message, nudge? Is that part 5 or maybe 6, 7?
Thanks Again,
Lisa
Kim
Thanks for all the information - I signed up to follow many people in your list. So I've tried it, but what the heck are all those people "twittering" about? I just don't understand a word they're saying. It sounds like nonsense and I don't know where to begin.
Margaret G
Great advice. How do you incorporate a plug for your business when twittering without being salesy? I don't want to be salesy but I do want people to know what I do. Thanks
Thanks for the info...I did not know how to converse with people directly...
Twitter sounds like a great way for people to tune in and follow along. How many followers do you expect to have? (As a goal?)
Hi Kim;
I am a member of TWITTER, I thank you...............................................
Hi Kim, Thanks for the info, I just started following you. I am @StagerNC God bless,
Thanks Kim! As you know, I'm on Twitter, but I don't think I'm really good at it, yet. I've still got some work to do.
Ok, read your other post. Still have not followed anyone but will do it soon. Thanks for the info. Also liked your comment that you have to try it for it to start making sense.
OMG... Thank You!!! I joined twitter over two weeks ago, but wasn't using it... I've read your first 4 posts & you are a life-saver. Plz keep sharing the info.
Hi Kim, Thanks for the lessons on Twitter. I joined and started following you. I am @LonReed Thanks again for the information.
Thanks Kim I have been meaning to do this - on to tip #5 and finding some followers.
Kim ... thanks for this article 4 on how to twitter and your help today. However, I don't get what you said at: To send a private, direct message: (the person you are sending the message to must follow you in order to DM them - but you can @reply)
d KimWood No wonder you were bursting at the seams to tell us.
D [SPACE] name then your message.
What? Perhaps I should go back to lesson 3. On the other hand, I don't need to send too many private messages anyway. Harrison
Just trying to get familiar with Twitter. My head is swimming. Feeling dense tonight!
Appreciate your tips so much. I've sent my twitter to you and await your reply. Will that come to my e-mail? Judy
It's growing on me... but need to find out more
You have made a big difference to me in my comfort level, time will tell if anyone actually follows me, but appreciate the leg up. Now on to Part 5!
I'm trying to learn more about Twitter. It was suggested I join the tweeter group and follow both your blog and Paul's blog. I look forward to learning more by reading your blog. My post had asked if anyone could give me advice on whether I should just jump in or read up more on Twitter before I try it.