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What Is Twitter and How Does it Work?

Time:2010-02-02 20:15:59 Source:Ezinearticles Author:Cathy Yeatts

Twitter is currently the hottest platform on the rapidly expanding social networking landscape. Twitter is a website, of course, twitter.com, and it provides users the opportunity to send free, short posts featuring content spanning the information spectrum, and to read the posts of others.

Limited to 140 characters per post, these messages, called "tweets" are delivered to the timeline of those who have added you to their friends list - your followers, while you receive those sent by Twitter users you have chosen to follow.

Some have compared "twittering" to the perfect blend of blogging and instant messaging, giving rise to the moniker "micro-blogging" for this new phenomenon. The space limitation is welcomed by many, because it means that the updates they receive will get right to the point, much appreciated by busy followers. Twitter uses the question "What's Happening" to direct the content of each update, with the goal that it contain some relevant information to others.

Getting started is easy. At Twitter.com simply create a free account by completing a profile that asks for name, user name, password, and email. Be sure to upload a picture if you'd like, so your followers can put a face with your updates. If creating an account to be used primarily for business, you might consider using a company logo, if appropriate. Go to "Settings" to change the background by choosing one of those offered or by customizing your own, if you happen to be handy with Photoshop.

On your profile page include pertinent information about yourself including your interests and areas of expertise, since these are important to other twitterers who look for like-minded users to follow and dialogue with. It is also a good idea to click each Twitter page using the tabs and all the hyperlinks to get a comprehensive feel for the site. Tips are found on many pages that provide direction.

Start life in the twitterverse as a follower to get a feel for the culture of twittering. Follow those you think will be of interest. If you find their tweets are not relevant to you, choose to unfollow by clicking on the "following" hyperlink and unfollow under actions. Use this process to develop a list you enjoy and can keep up with. When comfortable, invite your personal and professional contacts to follow you.

For convenience, Twitter has an email function as one means to use to invite followers. When you've got a few, start sending tweets to your list or direct updates to specific followers! These updates are sent via the Twitter website, by linking your cell phone to Twitter and sending SMS message, or through a growing variety of external applications. Like any new platform, there is a learning curve involved, but Twitter keeps it pretty simple, and in no time you'll be tweeting like a pro!

Cathy Yeatts is a blogger and online entrepreneur. She has just completed a comprehensive twitter tutorial guide for twitter beginners.
Learn more: What is Twittering?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Yeatts

Cathy Yeatts - EzineArticles Expert Author

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