I’ve been using Twitter for about a two weeks now.
Funnily enough, I actually signed up about 2 months ago but never did anything more than that (sign up that is).
It’s the thing everyone seems to be talking about. I resisted because in all honesty, I can do without yet another online method of procrastination.
But now that I’ve started using it, I can see why people are finding it a useful and fun tool for bloggers to make use of (and non bloggers of course).
Here is a very brief overview based on my limited experience with Twitter to date.
What Is Twitter?
The jury may well still be out on the answer to this one.
Is it micro-blogging?
Is it instant-messaging?
Is it only for Twits? (some people would say yes)
You basically get 140 characters in which to have your say on whatever it is you’re tweeting about.
As you can imagine, that is quite a CHALLENGE for me!!!
But in fact it has been a good discipline to practise saying what I want to say in a couple of short sentences.
Your tweets can be read by anyone that is following you. That doesn’t mean that they’ll automatically see them though. They may or may not read what you’ve tweeted.
For ultra important messages, you can send a direct message. This is much more likely to be noticed by the person you are communicating with than a general tweet.
How Do I Join Twitter?
Head to www.twitter.com
The sign-up process is really quite simple.
What’s The Easiest Way to Tweet and Follow Tweets?
A fellow blogger and twitterer (or is that twit???) suggested the use of Twhirl to make tweeting life simple.
Twhirl allows you to compose and send tweets, answer tweets, receive regular twitter updates and shorten URL’s (as well as a bunch of other stuff I’m still learning about).
How Do I Find Followers On Twitter?
1. Follow Other Twitter Users
What is it they say about friendships? To have a friend BE one?
The same can be said for Twitter. The easiest and quickest way to gain followers is to follow people.
What I did was find a couple of bloggers whose blogs I really liked. Then I went and followed a heap of people that were either following them or they were following.
Those who are regular users of Twitter will often return your follow and before you know it, you have a number of followers.
2. Interact with Other Twitter Users
Someone doesn’t have to be following you in order to receive your reply to them as long as you use the symbol @ followed by their twitter name (eg @lightening) when you address them.
I’ve had a number of people follow me through doing this.
You need to make sure you’re genuine though. Not just spamming people in the hope that you’ll build up a healthy number of followers.
3. Let others know you’ve joined
Post your twitter id on your blog
Add it to your forum signature (if this is allowed)
Add it to your email signature
Hire a jet and get it written in the sky (okay, that might be a little on the extreme side) 
Benefits of Twitter
- It’s fun
- You feel connected to others
- There’s always someone there to talk to
- You can find interesting blog posts to read
- You can promote your own blog posts (I don’t tweet every single blog post. I tend to be choosy as to what I do and don’t tweet)
- You may pick up new blog readers
Posts on Twitter You Might Find Helpful
The Big Juicy Twitter Guide by Caroline Middlebrook
Newbies Guide to Twitter by Chris Brogan
9 Benefits of Twitter for Bloggers by Problogger
Guide to Twitter as a Tool for Marketing
Twitter for Beginners by Sueblimely
I’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on Twitter
Do you use Twitter? Love it? Hate it?
Make sure you add your Twitter ID to my comments so that other readers can add you too.
You can find me here: http://twitter.com/lightening
Happy Tweeting!!!
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Thanks Lightening, I remember you saying a few weeks ago that you were using Twitter more now so I meant to add you but I got sidetracked. Then every time I read your blog I kept thinking to myself that I need to go into Twitter and add you but I never did. So thanks for adding your link to your post
I am now following you 
Rachel xxx