This document provides an introduction to Twitter, including what Twitter is, how to get started using it, terminology, examples of how different entities use Twitter, and tools to enhance the Twitter experience. It defines Twitter as a microblogging service that allows users to send short text updates of up to 140 characters. It recommends choosing a username, photo, and background and finding people to follow to build a network. Examples discussed include how companies like Zappos and CNN, celebrities like Shaq, and individuals use Twitter. It also outlines various Twitter clients and URL shorteners that can be used.

1. GETTING STARTED ON Brought to you by:

2. What is Twitter? Definition: a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows you answer the question, "What are you doing?" by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called "tweets", to your friends, or "followers.” “ Twitter is blogging without the hassle!” - Anonymous

3. What’s all the fuss about? Twitter can help with the following: Getting real-time updates and news immediately Connect with people who you may have been connected with Broadcast real-time updates immediately to your network

4. The Growth of Twitter 3x Increase!

5. My experience with Twitter

6. What you’ll be learning today Get your Twitter account started Understand what people say on Twitter Understand how others have used Twitter Integrate Twitter with current activities Utilize tools to enhance your Twitter experience

7. BASICS

8. Branding yourself Choosing a username Choosing a photo (i.e. headshot, logo, etc) Choosing a background Build your network Find who’s already using Twitter Follow people you’d be interested in Getting Started on Twitter

9. What are you doing? Interesting facts about your industry Specials or promotions Information about events Handling customer service via Twitter What to Tweet About

10. TERMINOLOGY

11. Twitter Terminology Jargon: Tweets = 140-character updates on Twitter Follower = A user interested in your updates Symbols: @ = public conversations # = adding a tag to a tweet RT = retweeting is sharing tweets with others d = direct messages are similar to e-mails

12. @ replies = public conversations my tweet: my follower’s responses:

13. # = hashtags (tagging tweets) tweets tagged with #twitterteacher:

14. RT = retweeting tweets recent retweets from @daveschappell:

15. EXAMPLES

16. Zappos (@zappos) Customer service Company transparency Brand proliferation Other examples: Comcast (@comcastcares) Dell.com (@delloutlet) Motore Coffee (@motore) Business Example: Zappos

17. CNN (@cnnbrk) Breaking news worldwide Connecting with a network of virtual reporters Other examples Hudson River plane crash Presidential Inauguration Earthquakes in Italy News Example: CNN

18. Shaquille O’Neal (THE_REAL_SHAQ) Connecting with fans at a personal level Ability to control their brand Other Examples: Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) Kevin Rose (@kevinrose) Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) Personal Example: Shaq

19. INTEGRATION

20. Cell phone: Connect it with your text messaging Use 3 rd party applications to tweet Blogging: Use Twitterfeed.com to push your blogs to Twitter automatically Facebook Connect your tweets with your Facebook Status using the Twitter Application Integrating Twitter with Life

21. TOOLS

22. Twhirl: http://www.twhirl.org Twitterific: http://iconfactory.com/software/twitterrific Tweetie: http://www.atebits.com/tweetie-mac/ Tweetdeck: http://www.tweetdeck.com/beta/ Twitter Clients

23. TinyURL: http://www.tinyurl.com Bit.ly: http://www.bit.ly Tr.im: http://www.tr.im Digg.com: http://www.digg.com URL Shorteners

24. Question? E-mail: help@teachstreet.com Twitter: @teachstreet