1. Twitter allows for short messages to be shared publicly and seen by those who follow each other, spreading news and information quickly. 2. Brands use Twitter to engage existing customers and promote their products and services through an inexpensive channel. 3. The hashtag feature allows topics to trend and be searched easily, helping information to spread virally on issues.

1. Twitter.In 30pt. or bigger. yowesty@verbalidentity.co.uk or T@@verbid

2. Twitter is like lots of people holding Post-It notes up to the world: short messages only.

3. You see other people’s messages when you Follow them.

4. And they see your messages when they Follow you.

5. Why would anyone want to do this?Because Twitter is usually personally authored, and is often the first place that news is released.

6. Why would a brand want to be on Twitter?Best reason: because your customers are there already.Second best reason: it’s a cheap, easy promotional/Customer Service channel.

7. Why’s Twitter so exciting?1. Short messages only.Onus of communication on the writer (=>readability); higher turnover of messaging (currency of info beats depth of info.)

8. Why’s Twitter so exciting?2. Easy to pass it on.You can Retweet (RT) someone’s message easily and then it goes out to all your followers and if they RT it, to all of their followers etc (it’s viral).

9. Why’s Twitter so exciting?3. It’s public. And public spirited.Almost always, people transmit their Tweets without privacy. So you can search for a topic and see what someone else has written about it. And ask them a question.

10. Why’s Twitter so exciting?4. The hashtag.Someone, somewhere, thinks other people will be interested in what they’re talking about, so they end their Tweet with #topic – eventually everyone adopts it and you can search by topic, not just people.e.g. #Londonriots.

11. How do you start?Register at Twitter.comand pick your name (‘handle’).It’s written with an @ like this: @verbid

12. Please add a picture of you when you register (this is your Avatar and goes out with your Tweets). It makes you seem human.

13. Twitter will suggest some people to follow.Or Google someone specific ‘[name] on Twitter’and that usually works.

14. Surprisingly, there are far better places to do Twitter than Twitter’s own site.Tweetdeck looks nice & Hootsuite lets you do MUCH more.

15. How do you get people to listen to you?Like any other social occasion: listen first, then contribute.A RT of someone’s comment is always appreciated.

16. How do you get people to Follow your brand?1. Follow customers/likely customers.2. Tweet useful tips, company info. Etc. 3. Answer their questions.4. By the way, you can click on someone’s name in Twitter and find out who they’re following and who’s following them...

17. How do you include a picture in a Tweet?Can’t. But you can include a link to where it’s at.

18. Because URLs eat characters, there are websites that shorten links for you...E.g. Bit.ly, ow.ly

19. How do you send someone a message?Start your Tweet with their Twitter handle.E.g.@verbid That’s a rubbish presentation. How long did you spend on it?

20. Can you send a message in private?Yes, if you’re both following each other.Use a Direct message, starting with a De.g.D verbid Really, it was a RUBBISH presentation

21. Don’t follow too many people all at once: you’ll feel overwhelmed (and look weird).

22. Do try and Follow someone straight back if they follow you -unless they’re spam or a bot. Check their timeline (the list of their messages over time) first.

23. And what’s #FF?It’s Friday Follow, where people recommend to their followers, someone they think they should Follow (and it’s best to give a reason). E.g.#FF @verbid He does rubbish presentations but they’re short.

24. Anything else?Not really, no.

25. (but there is a whole lot more about measuring who’s got influence etc...some other day).

26. Thank you for listening toChris West@verbid