Tricks of the Twitter Trade

When I first started using Twitter last year, I hated it. I had no clue what to do and who to “tweet” to. Now, it’s second nature.  Otherwise known as an addiction that I’ve learned to temper a bit.

Are there “tricks” to using Twitter? Not really. It is what you make it…as long as you are genuine and give more than you take, Twitter will be a great experience for you.

I put together several posts that I wrote to help answer some of the basic questions about Twitter –from setting up your account to figuring out who to follow. Of course, there will  be more questions and there’s always something new to learn. This is just the basics.

Now, don’t forget, I throw all my own rules out the window when I tweet (well, most of them), so don’t pay attention to me. I clog up the tweet-stream, yap too much and have a little too much fun sometimes. However, that’s so much better than trying to sell 10,000 followers for $15. (sorry, I’d charge $100K. My followers are awesome!)

Each link will bring you to more information on each topic. Some are here on my blog and some are over on my social media column. They aren’t gospel rules…but they will help you. Or your money back. Wait…..I’m not charging for this. It’s free. Take it!  (I update this list a few times a month on my social media column so there will be new tips added here: The Twitter How-To Guide )

How Do I Set Up a Twitter Account? Setting up a Twitter account properly is very important if you plan on making the most of your Twitter experience. Once your account is set up, then you can start to learn the basics of Twitter and use it to promote your blog, business or just socially. (this article includes a step-by-step slide show)

How Do I Choose a Twitter Username? When it comes to choosing a Twitter name, it is extremely important to either use your real name, your business name or a combination of the two. If you are on purely for socializing,  then by all means call yourself ‘CrazyOne’ or ‘MidnightStrangler’. Just be prepared for some unsavory followers.

How Do I Find People to Follow on Twitter? If you have recently joined Twitter, you might be wondering how to find and follow Twitter users. It is important to follow users who will enhance your Twitter experience. Just following random tweeters in hopes that they will build your follower list is not a good idea. If you want to be successful at social networking, you need to choose your “crowd” wisely.

Should You Pay for Twitter Followers? No, no and NO. If you are new to Twitter or trying to build up your following, do it the old fashioned way: work at it. Would you pay someone for friends in real life? If so, your friends will picked by others who do not know you and they might take away rather than add value to your life. Same goes for Twitter.

How Do I Use Twitter on My Cell Phone? If you use Twitter you can also access it on your cell phone. From basic cell phones that have text messaging capabilities to smart phones, you can use to tweet on the go.

What is #FollowFriday on Twitter? In January 2009, a new hashtag named #followfriday started on Twitter. It immediately became a successful way to recommend some of the most interesting followers to others. Recommending great followers is similar to recommending a great restaurant or product.

How Can Twitter Help Me Find a Job? Finding a job in the newspaper is a thing of the past. Most people turn to the Internet to find a job now but that can be overwhelming. When a job is posted online you have to be able to act quickly or it will be gone before you can turn on your computer.

How Can I Become a Better Tweeter? Twitter is an incredible way to network but beware: it is very addicting. If you are new to Twitter or haven’t taken the time to try it, here are a few tips to help you make the most of the fastest growing social network on the internet.

Twitter: Mixing Business with Real Life A Twitter addiction is nothing to be ashamed of. However, in the past nine months, I have come to appreciate how Twitter can be both a phenomenal social venue that evolves into a great business or marketing assistant. There are no rules when it comes to Twitter, or at least I don’t limit myself that way. It’s the biggest party you’ll ever get a free invitation to and how you use it…well, that’s up to you.

Read more of my opinionated self: Providence Social Media Examiner