How to Use Twitter

Twitter is a social networking website that is changing the way many people connect and communicate online. Twitter is free to join and you can become a member in only a few minutes. Like other popular social networks, Twitter has two main components: following others and adding others who follow you. What is unique about Twitter, however, is that your messages are limited to 140 characters per tweet, which is why some refer to it as a ‘microblogging’ tool; messages have to be kept brief and to the point. This article will give you the basic start up guidelines for using Twitter.

What you will need

• Computer or mobile device with internet connectivity

Instructions

Signing up

1. Go to www.twitter.com
2. Click on: Get Started-Join!
3. Follow the steps to create a free Twitter account.
4. Choose your own username. If it is a personal twitter, choose a name to reflect that. If it is a twitter for your business or blog choose a username that will clearly represent this.
5. Choose your own password of 6 letters and, or numbers or more. Do not share your password with others.
6. Type in your e-mail address.
7. Prove you are a human by typing the letters you see in the word verification box.
8. Read and accept the Twitter terms of agreement.

Creating a profile

1. Log in at www.twitter.com; enter your username and password.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Add a picture (700kb maximum) of yourself, a character or logo; click on Browse and choose a photo from your computer.
4. Fill out the information in the boxes; if you do not have a website, you may leave it blank or add the link to your favourite website.
5. Add one or two lines about yourself in the Bio section.

Start Tweeting

1. Log in at www.twitter.com and type your first tweet; type one or two short sentences, if you type too much you will have to delete a part of your message.
2. Find and connect with friends that are also using Twitter.
3. To see someone else’s tweets, click the follow button on their Twitter profile; this will send a request to them, and they must accept your request before you can see their tweets.

Do

• Limit those who can view your tweets and profile if you will be tweeting personal information.