Overheard on Twitter

Random Tweets I’ve seen this week on Twitter:

I should be a real estate agent, the shit people try to pass off as photos of a property are shameful.

Is it me or is the Social Media PR person the new Real Estate Agent type of a fad. Everyone seems to be one these days.

Waiting for my real estate agent. She’s late again.

Tracking ‘real estate agent’ on Twitter reveals chest thumping agents and disgruntled clients.

What can we learn and improve?

Twitter Quick Start Guide

Twitter is an online real-time messaging system for groups and friends. It is just not obvious why anyone would want to know the answer to “What are you doing?”

This guide will introduce many of the features of Twitter, and help you get started.

What is Twitter?

In the words of Remarkablogger, Michael Martine, “Twitter is like sex… If you’ve never had it, you simply have no idea what it’s like.”

Twitter is designed to work on the web, on your desktop, and with your phone. All Twitter messages are limited to 140 characters, so you can’t say much. And yet, you can write a short story.

Messages on Twitter can be private, so only friends you have authorized can read them. You’ll have more fun if messages are made public, which means anyone who “follows” you can read and subscribe to them.

Why use Twitter?

1. It’s simple.
2. It’s social.
3. It’s mobile.
4. It’s free.

Even basic updates are meaningful to family, friends, or colleagues - especially when they are timely. Once you become familiar with the platform, Twitter can be a more effective tool by determining what you want to achieve.

How to Get Started

Go to Twitter.com and click Get Started - Join! Enter a username, password, and email address to create your account. It’s a simple as that.

The green control panel displays a default image next to your screen name - a pair of eyes on a brown background. Click the default and upload an image to use as an avatar. This image will appear next to your updates (tweets).

From the Control Panel, click Add Device and add your mobile number. Once you’ve registered your device, you’re set to update Twitter from your phone. Simply text your tweet to 40404.

Sending Tweets

Login to your Twitter account (http://twitter.com/username) to update from your computer.

Use the text box to enter your message, and click update. Your tweet will appear in the public timeline.

Setting up the account and learning the basics is simple. You’ll be tweeting in less than 5 minutes.

Keep reading to learn about the social use of Twitter. Learn how to

• personalize your profile
• find friends and colleagues to follow
• send direct (private) messages
• check for replies
• expanding your network.

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