In the past week, I got the following questions:
- What is Twitter?
- How to Update on Twitter? (After me advising them to add some updates)
- How to get Followers in Twitter?
The answers for these questions and some basic twitter guidelines are explained here.
What is Twitter?
Twitter is a Social network, and what makes it different from other social networks like Facebook, Orkut or MySpace is the way people socialize. Twitter is like an open Chat room. Everyone answers just one question; “What are you doing?” and the reply cannot be more than 140 characters. The intention is to let the world know what you are doing right now, thanks to the mobile support on twitter.
Who is on Twitter?
Barack Obama, Britney Spears, All A-listed Bloggers, Celebrities, Politicians, Techies, Web Enthusiasts, Real people, and me (lol).
How Twitter works?
To start with, you need to sign-up at twitter. You will get a profile page @ twitter.com/yourname. Everyone out there has a similar page and this is the page where your updates will be seen. You can subscribe to the updates of another fellow twitterer (usually referred as tweep) by pressing the ‘follow’ button near the profile picture on his profile page. That’s how you keep track of what he is doing. The updates from your friends will be shown on your homepage.
The best part of twitter is that, you can reply to your friends updates. Press the small arrow near his update (or type in @his_user_name in your update box) and type in your reply. He will get it in his @replies section of his profile.
To send an @reply the recipient doesn’t have to follow you! Image how cool it would be to talk to Barack Obama in person!
You can also send Direct Messages (DM) to your friends, but only to the people who follow you. DM’s are private to you and your friend.
Update:
Recently, twitter changed @replies to @your_user_name and they call it mentions. Whenever someone mention your name in a tweet, it shows up in the @your_user_name section on your twitter sidebar.
How to Update on Twitter?
Do you see the text box that asks: “What are you doing?” Enter some text there and press ‘Update’. That’s your first update!
How to get Followers in Twitter?
Having a long list of followers is a mark of credibility in twitter. There is not shortcut, but do these basic steps.
- Upload a profile picture that looks real just to prove that you are a real human. The o_O image sucks. If you don’t like to be seen in public, upload your dog’s image, let him be the star. (Upload picture is under Home >> Settings >> Picture)
- Write something in your bio. If you don’t have anything to say, just say ‘Hello” (Home >> Settings >> Account >> One Line Bio)
- Make some updates. Others like to follow only real people and real people will be always doing something. If you are not doing anything, just say that you are sleeping.
- Read Breaking the Twitter Etiquettes from The Daily Blonde, that’s a Good Start.
- Don’t be a link Whore, and don’t be there just to sell your products, be social.
- Show community love, follow others.
- Use a twitter client. It makes tweeting easier and fun. I Recommend Tweet Deck.
You can start by Following me, and I will follow you back!
Enjoy Tweeting 
22 Comments
Excellent post. i could bookmark this and send a link, whenever anyone asks about twitter.
Actually, That was my intention too. I found myself saying these again and again, so I finally decided to make a post…
sooon… as soon as blog is active!
Just what we wanted man!!
So you are gonna be there on twitter from now..right..?
Now, I can point people to this post, during my twitter evangelisation talks.
But, I don’t think using a client will get you more followers
!!
A client does not bring new followers directly. Client makes tweeting easier and fun. So you can tweet more, and when you tweet more, you get more followers… Agreed..?
i am already there man and want and will love to follow you
Shall I teach you a quick marketing idea? Create an ebook and just change the title to “Twitter- a complete guide”
Hey, I never thought of that. Infact I had made it a point to write a e-book this year, its one of my goals this time. Now I have an idea for that, Cool…
Hi Arun,
I am confused. Is my updates are sends to both followers and following persons?
No, the people you follow cant see your updates, only those who follow you can see them.
Now its clear I guess. Cheers
Thanks Arun my little confuse has cleared. I am talking to you because you are an active member in Twitter.
Lol, Twitter is so addictive and so simple that if you start using it, you will become active + expert in no time! See you there sometime!
Short and Tweet (Sweet)
Better lets call it Tswet.. lol
Thanks for the tutorial…
My pleasure Nihar
I think you are missing shortcuts for Twitter. A good list at [link] but of course there are many other resources.
Shortcuts are a great way to save time without cutting Tweet time!
Hmm ya, The mobile part of twitter has been totally neglected, pardon me.. And thanks for the link, really appreciate that
Thanks for dropping by, you are welcome
I’m just confused about twitter in the beginning.. now its much clear.. thanks for the quick guide..
You are welcome Ankit, and thanks for the First comment!
Cheers…
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