It never dawned on me there may be people who don't understand the very basics of Twitter. This would be the person to whom someone said, "Create a Twitter account", so they did. Chances are it was even an email with a link to http://twitter.com with no further instructions. So, for those of you to whom this applies here are the ABC's of Twitter:

1. Go to http://twitter.com
2. Click on the link that says "Sign up now" (or simply go to http://tiwtter.com/signup)
3. Fill in the blanks: Real name, stage name, password. (Tips on creating a username: It will be seen by millions of people)
4. Type the RECAPTCHA words and click "Create my account"
5. Let your friends from your email accounts know you are on Twitter (or not)
6. Add or do not add the suggested big shots they show you. Personally I just say "no"
7. "Tell us what you're doing" is your first chance to Tweet. Some people say, "Just trying out Twitter". Be creative you have 140 characters - but WAIT! BEFORE you send that first Tweet do something VERY important.
8. Click on "Settings" in the upper right corner.
9. Go down the page and find "One line profile" and be honest! You have 160 characters including space and symbols.
10. Click "Save".
11. At the top of the page click on the "Picture" tab. Browse to a nice small photo and upload it. Click "Save".

(NOTICE: Failure to complete items 9-11 will relegate you to the "so what" pile. Just do it and do it now.)

12. Click the "Home" link at the top of the list on the right hand side.
13. Now you may send your first Tweet.
14. You have no followers and you are following no one. There will be no reading of your Tweet at this time but people will be able to read it later. (You must have a FOLLOWER for someone to see your Tweets go live but people can still stumble on you later and read your Tweets.)
15. Use the "Search" function to find Twitterers you may like. Try typing in "NASCAR" or "knitting" or "photoshop". Feel free to follow anyone you find - you can always unfollow and/or block later if necessary.
16. To Tweet TO someone either type their username like @username and then finish out your 140 characters or move your mouse over one of their Tweets and click the little arrow that I would call a "left turn" or "return" arrow. That will set you up to send a reply about that Tweet to that @username.
17. To see if anyone has Tweeted to you in the open forum click on the link on the right side bar for @yourname. Those will be public Tweets sent to your attention. The link that says "Direct Messages" (aka DMs) is for messages sent directly and only to you - in private.

That's enough to get you started. Be sure to follow me @thekencook and always listen to Social Media Edge Radio every Tuesday at Noon Eastern with me and my co-host @jasoncrouch along with our staff and guests!

Call me if you need help at 678-439-8683 or visit http://twitterbits.com or http://icobb.com