The document provides an introduction to Twitter, including what it is, how to get started using it, and best practices. It discusses that Twitter is a microblogging tool where users post 140-character messages (tweets) and follow other users. It also outlines the four main types of tweets, how to set up an account, what to tweet about, bad habits to avoid, using links and photos, potential downsides of Twitter, and mobile apps to use. The goal is to help new users understand Twitter and get acclimated to using the platform.

1. Twitter 101
Mihaela Vorvoreanu, Ph.D.
Wh y Tw it te r? a n d H o w to G et St a rted

2. What IS Twitter, anyway?
Micro-blogging tool You follow other
people’s tweets
Post 140-character
messages (tweets) People follow your
tweets
OK to follow people you don’t know
OK to converse with people you
don’t know !

3. “Twitter is stupid”
The
strength
of
weak ties
Photo credits: http://sbm.temple.edu/blogs/cspd/2008/10/13/
the-strength-of-weak-ties/

4. How does it work?
4 main types of
tweets:
1. simple tweet
2.@ reply
3.direct message (DM)
4.retweet (RT)

5. How does it work?
4 main types of
tweets:
1. simple tweet
2.@ reply
3.direct message (DM)
4.retweet (RT)

6. How does it work?
4 main types of
tweets:
1. simple tweet
2.@ reply
3.direct message (DM)
4.retweet (RT)

7. How does it work?
4 main types of
tweets:
1. simple tweet
2.@ reply
3.direct message (DM)
4.retweet (RT)

8. How does it work?
4 main types of
tweets:
1. simple tweet
2.@ reply
3.direct message (DM)
4.retweet (RT)

9. How does it work?
4 main types of
tweets:
1. simple tweet
2.@ reply
3.direct message (DM)
4.retweet (RT)

10. Setting up an account
twitter.com
User name: preferably (related to) your name
Bio: 140 characters; simple, honest; show your
personality
Link: your website or LinkedIn public profile
Photo: informal headshot
Settings & notifications

11. Tweeting alone isn’t fun...
First, follow each other & practice to get the hang
of it and build your account
Post a tweet with a hashtag: #cbshook
Twitter lists - create one, then follow it
search.twitter.com
SLOWLY

12. What should I t weet about?
links: industry news, social observations
analysis, etc.
@ replies: engage
links: entertaining others!
personal/work RT’s
updates
good questions
your interesting/
unique/funny take on
things

13. @ replies
Give: Build:
attention conversations
sympathy/ relationships
understanding
advice
support

14. Bad Twitter habits:
Too much of one thing
Aggressive selling & promotion
Automated or only one-way feeds, no @’s
Too much mundane information
Negativity, bashing
Bad spelling & grammar

15. Links & Photos
Links Photos
Use URL shorteners Use photo services
such as bit.ly, ow.ly, such as twitpic, yfrog,
etc. etc.

16. The dark side of Twitter
Spammers
Bots
Don’t follow/unfollow
Block & report
Security: Strong password!

17. Twitter clients
Computer: iPhone:
Twhirl TweetDeck
TweetDeck Tweetie 2
Seesmic
Echofon
Brizzly (Web)
Blackberry:
Tweetie (Mac only)
UberTwitter
Twitterrific (Mac only)

18. “Homework”
Tweet amongst yourselves :)
Bring questions for next session