Getting Started With Twitter
- 1. Getting Started With Twitter
- 2. What is Twitter? Combination of various forms of communication like e-mail, instant messenger, blogs, and RSS feeds. Difference is that posts, or tweets, are restricted to 140 characters or less.
- 3. What Is Twitter? Evolved from simply answering the question, “What are you doing?” into Shared links to interesting content on the web Conversations around hot topics Shared photos, videos, music Most importantly real time accounts from people who are in midst of a newsworthy event (like a convention or conference), crisis or natural disaster (such as back in June during the elections in Tehran)
- 4. Twitter Statistics Twitter has 1.5 million active users with a median age of 31. In October 2009, users sent 26 million tweets per day, up from 2.4 million tweets in January 2009. Tuesday is the most active day for tweeting, followed by Wednesday and then Friday
- 5. Getting Started Claim your Twitter handle (i.e. twitter.com/aflcio) Completely fill out your user profile Create your customized background Twitter has a few templates you can choose from Several applications you can use to create your background: http://mashable.com/2009/05/23/twitter-backgrounds/ Know some HTML? Design your own. Promote your new social media presence (e-mail signature, website, blog entries, cross promotion)
- 6. Start tweeting! Jump in and get started to give your account some authenticity Remember that you only have 140 characters so make them count! To share blog entries Twitterfeed (www.twitterfeed.com) To share links Set up an account with Bitly ( www.bitly.com ) which allows you to shorten your URLs and track how many clicks your link received
- 7. Retweeting or “RT” Twitter users share the best links, tweets, and gems they find from others they are following Important to do in order to build community and not just appear to be putting out your own content, Connect with people and let them know you’re there (gain followers!)
- 8. How do I build community? Start by following everyone in this group and look at who they are following and retweeting Twitter lists Directory of progressives Tweet Progress ( www.tweetprogress.org ) Can also sign up for a Twitter mentor here Union Twibe ( www.twibes.com/group/union ) People who use #p2 or #topprog hashtags in their tweets
- 9. What is a hashtag? A community driven naming convention on Twitter to help spread information while also helping to organize it. Favorite tool of conferences and event organizers If everyone agrees to add a certain hashtag after their tweet, it becomes easier to find that topic in search (search.twitter.com) #hcr – health care #p2 and #topprog (progressives) #aflcio09 (convention) #aflciojobs (jobs initiative)
- 10. If you do nothing else after this meeting: Please claim your Twitter ID!