Twitter is a microblogging platform that allows users to post short updates called tweets. Tweets are limited to 140 characters and can include hashtags, which are keywords preceded by a # symbol that link to other tweets on the same topic. Hashtags help people find tweets about trending topics and allow information to spread in real-time. However, campaigns using vague hashtags can be hijacked, as seen when McDonald's #McDstories was used to criticize the company.

2. an information network
Twitter is considered a real time information network
that connects you to the latest information that you
find interesting.
People can follow you, but you do not have to follow
them.
A form of micro-blogging.

3. tweet
A tweet is considered a ‘small burst of
information’
Each tweet is a maximum of 140 characters in
length.
‘@” symbol is used as a hyperlink to reference a
person. For example, to reference me on twitter
you would type: @thechristofer

4. #hashtags
The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark
keywords or topics in a tweet.
These hashtags help people to find interesting
tweets that are relevant to keywords they search.
The hashtag also works as a hyperlink to reveal all
other tweets in that category.
Hashtags become very popular and are often
trending topics

5. #hashtags in action
Example: In the Tweet below, @twitter added the
hashtag before the phrase "thankyousteve". The
word is now a link to search results for all
Tweets containing "#thankyousteve" in the
message.

6. #hashtaghorror
McDonald's twitter campaign kicked things off in
January with the hashtag #MeetTheFarmers, in a
campaign meant to draw attention to the brand's
guarantee of fresh produce.
Later in the day, however, the burger company used
a dangerously vague hashtag: "When u make
something w/ pride, people can taste it," McD potato
supplier #McDstories
People took this hashtag and started talking trash.

8. @marcjacobsintl
Hiring campaign designed to
find the best ‘tweeter’ to
head social media for the
label
DO NOT send resume or
cover letter.
ONLY candidates who tweet
the company will be
interviewed
In 140 characters or less you
can have a ‘generous clothing
allowance, benefits and
relocation to NYC’

9. instant information
Twitter works as a real time information source from
first hand sources.
Creates citizen journalists on the front lines with
instant information sourcing. (Lotan, et al.)
Promotes social change, brings attention to places
unable to be accessed by reporters.
Because of twitter’s instant updates, they can be
unreliable or irresponsible.

10. twitter in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NshQFrpC2O
4
A great overview of how exactly how to navigate
twitter and the look of the website.

11. sources
Main title image:
http://www.rvda.org/AM/Images/logo_twitter_withbird_1000_allblue.p
ng
An information network: http://twitter.com/about
Tweet: http://twitter.com/about
#hashtags: http://support.twitter.com/entries/49309-what-are-
hashtags-symbols
#hashtaghorror: http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-twitter-
campaign-goes-horribly-wrong-mcdstories-2012-1

12. sources
@marcjacobsintl:
http://fashionetc.com/news/fashion/617-marc-
jacobs-twitter-job
Lotan, G., Graeff, E., Ananny, M., Gaffney, D.,
Pearce, I. and boyd, d. (2011). The revolutions
were tweeted: Information flows during the 2011
Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions. International
Journal of Communications 5, Feature 1375–
1405.