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How to Twitter - Part One

So I've been talking about it for a while, and with the new option of feeds from ActiveRain (mostly I'm *yay* for this) - I want to share the right way to use Twitter.

You've heard about it if you've been listening to the national and local TV stations, politicians, bloggers, radio, newspapers, etc.

Here is why I continue to use Twitter, almost daily:

Friendships & Connections
Up-to-the-minute news that is happening where all of my twitbuds (people I follow) live
Links shared to articles people have read and enjoy (I like it when these come from others vs. writer)
Great place to ask questions and receive answers (after you have followers)
Connection with Locals - and last but not least -
Business !! (Yes, business. Closed sales)

The hard part about Twitter is that it is really hard to understand until you use it. But it's also hard to know exactly what to do once you are there.

Here kicks off my How to Twitter series...

Let's get you started...... Go get yourself a user name. I started with @RealtorKimWood, but I felt that was too long after I started using Twitter for a while. Now I'm just @KimWood. (I have my reasons :)

When choosing your name, do not put @before it - it's just "twittertalk" which you'll learn later. Just: KimWood is what I would select :)

You'll also see some other variations:

Realtor+Name= @RealtorToby
Real Estate Related=@RealEstateChick
Area Branding Related=@FresYes
Name+Area= @SandyPA
BrandName= @ActiveRich

Decide who you would like to be. You can change this later, but like most things, it is a whole lot easier if you think ahead then act.

Let's get to it!! Go to http://Twitter.com (You can click there -it will open in another window and you can still look at this if you need to).

Twitter Join Screen

Go ahead..... just do it now! It'll only take about 5 minutes to complete signing in.

We'll get you started in what to do after you have your user name in How to Twitter - Part Two. (If you are really anxious - go ahead and play around with your profile - add your picture, bio, etc.)

Questions are welcomed.......... I'll do my best to answer them all in a comment or in the series!

How to Twitter - Part Two Setting up your Profile

Posted by Kim Wood on 10/09/2008 12:52 PM

Comments (81)

Twitter in the Technology and Tools Channel

how to twitter, twitter

Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Twitter

81 Comments on How to Twitter - Part One

OCT

2008

quick, concise, and to the point. I especially like your examples and input on choosing a name!

Kim- OK I did that some time ago but get busy during the day and such, then forget to twitter.:) or other things are higher on my priority list!

Kim, thanks for the introduction to Twitter, I have heard about it but haven't started using it. This was an easy to understand post, so once again thank you!

Kim -- signed up for twiter some time ago -- - and that was about it, not sure how to use etc. so am looking forward to your next post. am following you now --

I have thought about using twiter, I just never got around to it, this weekend will be the one to get started.

Thank you.

Amen to that. It's hard to figure out what to do once you're there. I've been on Twitter for maybe a month now and couldn't tell you what or how the benefits are. I'll keep trying since so many people swear by it.

Looking forward to the nexr installment. Been a member for 2 weeks and have no idea how this helps me.

Thanks... I'm a Twitter Novice... I haven't even checked out the site... but I'm going there NOW.

Cameron Novak
Corona Real Estate Agent
The Homefinding Center^TM
Corona, California
951-212-7479

Chat About Real Estate 24/7/365

Kim I have signed up still trying to make the thing go to my Blackberry a few people tried explaining but it is like teaching a Rock how to swim.:))

Hi Kim

Thanks for the info on Twitter.

Rich

Charlotte Nc

Kim, I am looking forward to Parts 2 and beyond. I signed up a few days ago. I downloaded Twitterberry onto my phone. Now, I'm wondering how to use this. I anxiously await your updates!

I'm a bad Twitter friend. I forget about it too often. Kim, you got me to clean up my Outlook inbox (I did it, I realllly did it!). Perhaps your Twitter posts will cause me to be a better Twitterer. (Is that a word?)

I joined but have not kept up with it, mainly because I could not find anyone I know on it. I need to devote more time to it.

Hi Kim, I love Twitter! I just posted a great link to great Twitter stuff early this morning. You might find some goodies on there!

I started out as @MaureenMcCabe.com and when a "follower" said "hey I never knew you were in Columbus"... then said he has family in the area. I changed to @MoinColumbusOH there was not a problem in making the change. No lost Tweets, no lost followers. I just wish I would have then gone back in and secured my name. Someone else took it but is not using it. I hope it is just another Maureen McCabe, it is a common name.

I have not used this but might check it out! Thanks!

Twitter is great, but I was constantly getting spam from adult websites that were following my 'tweets', Is this common?

I have never understood how you get spammed via Twitter... they are following YOU. Stephanie Are you following them because they followed you? Is the spam coming via DM?

This is going to be a dumb question but can I get DM from someone I am not following? Does that depend on how we each have Twitter set up?

Kim, have you notice more and more of the folks saying they are following you, you have no clue who they are, and wonder why me? I look at their profile, sometimes go to their web site, then look at some of their tweets to see if I really want to follow them.

Hey Kim,

This is great info! We just had a meeting in the office about tech stuff and twitter came up and I couldn't give the people a good reason to use it mainly because I never got into it and don't know all it offers. Thanks for the info!

@Jason, Wonder why?

@Katerina, Hopefully you'll learn enough to jump in if you want to.

@Tony/Darcy, Great! Keep up with the future posts and you will know all you want to know (and more) about Twitter and how it's helped my business.

@Alexandra, Good! It's in the works already.

@Lorinda, I should have enough posted by the weekend to get you rolling :)

@Trunda, That's exactly what I thought, and I know many others do - my goal in this series is to curb some of that for you!

@Jeff, Stay tuned!

@Cameron, Ok... and come back for more or you might be confused.

@Endre, I will be addressing some of these in future posts... not sure exactly what you are looking for, I don't think you want to get all posts to sms or txt messages (too many!), however, you might want to try http://twitterberry.com for a blackberry application..... (More on that later)

@Rich, Yerp

@John, Good.... it's in the works

@Kris, Nah, not a bad Twitterer - just need to get it in the agenda :) (If you want the leads like I've gotten)

@Carol, That post is next! Finding people you know.

@Susie, Yay! Love getting to know you on Twitter!

@MoinColumbus, It isn't easy to change, you are correct - but why do that? I think in leading people to new things, planning is always a good thing :)

@Norma, Good! Stay tuned.

@Stephanie, Thanks for the comment - I will be sure and address that soon. As Maureen said, you really don't get "spammed" by them unless you follow them, however, I believe you mean just 'spammed by the bots that follow you'. Like everything, email, AR, blogs, telephone, snail mail - we will always have the problem of invasion from spammers. I go block them when I have a chance, but Twitter has been awesome at keeping up with them once a number of people have reported them.

@MoinColumbus, No. You can not get a DM from someone you aren't following. However, you can receive an @ depending on the application you are using.

@Missy, Yes! I'll be talking about how to chose your followers in the next post.

@Krista, Yay! Watch the series and jump right in! (By the way, I taught a class at the Association the other day - and someone mentioned being in your class & ActiveRain!)

POST YOUR QUESTIONS TO THIS COMMENT FIELD IF YOU'D LIKE THEM ANSWERED

Kim - Great this is exactly what I need. I signed up a little while ago and have no clue how to proceed??? Thanks, Rita

Tweet Tweet, lol....I'm in, but with baby steps. I am starting to understand it a bit more. I check it daily, but don't always "tweet"....looking forward to your next Twitter post! Is there a way to check for AR members?

Thanks for sharing, Im going to look into this one as well.

This is something I probably need to look into at some point. I don't use it now.

Kim - There are a lot of post you can do about Twitter, i.e. twhirl, tweetlater, tweetburner etc. Have fun blogging - looking forward to your tutorials.

@Rita- Hope it helps you!

@Elizabeth - You were doing great!! (I'm going to compile a list)

@Mike - Yay!

@Chuck - Well, you might wanna just peek :)

@Petra - You are right - there is a lot to cover. That is my goal. I know there are a lot of 'brief' overviews - hopefully this will be more complete. (Love Lakeland - used to live there :)

Do any of us do anything anymore besides real estate. There is not enough time in the day. I know I need this too but where do you find the time?

Hey Kim, I think I followed you yesterday. Great info for new twitters. It's a huge resource for building connections and marketing yourself. I think it's an imperative service for real estate professionals.

i signed up for it too and I just don't seem to have a lot of time lately to go twitter, but I will definetely try to find some time to post

I have not been a very good twitterfriend. I am afraid that I don't use it on a regular basis. I need to get better. Not enough time, maybe need better time management.

Kim & Maureen,

I suppose spam was not the right word to use, but I was getting notices from Twitter alerting me that my 'tweets' are being followed, the follower is an adult oriented business. I don't how it works, but I was getting unwanted junk, so I deleted my account entirely.

Great series. I'm looking forward to part 4.

Im a twitter user and now I am following. Good idea for the names.

Thank you Kim for this great post. I just saw another post about Twitter yesterday and today I signed up! I'm looking foward to your next post.

Danielle

www.RAPB.com

www.RAPBInternational.com

Thanks for this advice. I am heading to the website to get started on Tweeter. THANKS !!

Thank you for the nudge, I'm on facebook and Konnects, I will Twitter next!!!

I'm a Twit, but I know I could get more out of it, so I'm hoping you'll cover the basics, then move on to more advanced uses :)

I guess I just suck on both counts with my Twitter names... @LaneBailey and @Lilburn...

Think ahead..... what should I know about choosing a name?

@Zane - When you start getting business from Twitter like I have - you realize it is in fact a part of your business - not a distraction.

@Andrew - Just tweeted you :)

@Daphna - Well..... see if its for you. I have received business from it - so it's a good thing for me :)

@Pam - Well, ya know... Time Management is a struggle for me as well..... it's always good to know when to "shut off and unplug"

@Stephanie - I understand. And answered you up above.

@Ray- I just followed you! It's coming!! And a few more!

@John - I followed you!

@Danielle - Good! It'll come!

@Greg- Yay! Make sure and follow me so I can as well.

@Sabrina - Good! Come join us!

@Ryan - Yes - I'll go through the whole kaboodle. it might take a while :) There is a lot when you really start to break it apart.

@Jean - As I mentioned - decide what you'd like your branding to be. Your name/location/occupation/all ? And go with it!!

OK, Kim. I've been tweeting for awhile. It's fun to keep up with friends and clients, especially on non-biz time. It gives me a different insight than just the biz relationship, but I'm still searching for the real power of the Twit.

Lahaina Lee

I have been signed up for months and finally I started using it and I have had a good time. This would have been helpful a few months ago, but you sure helped everyone here.

Kim, this is a great tool to market with. The cost is right and simple enough. I will be following you. My @frankrubi. I am getting about 2 followers a day.

Thanks for shraing, it's been on my list for a while to... I need to get it done. Thanks for the info to push me forward!

Hello Kim, I did sign up but could not find out how to work it out and did not see the benefits. I'll try again. thank you.

Antonio

I'm building up my followers. It's hard to make the time to link with everyone. AND to remember my tweets when I'm doing interesting stuff.

Kim... I just signed up fro Twitter last week and still trying to figure it out.. I have book marked this blog to refer back to.. maybe your tips will get me on the right track.

Kim - I am looking forward to your more advance lessons. Thanks for sharing.

I've mentioned by @KimWood. Boy do I feel honored! :p

@RealtorToby says that getting buisness from Twitter is just like working your SOI. You can call them and talk about the kids and never mention RE. Did that help your biz? I am converting my "followers" and working harder on locals and building my local tweetwork.

But, I'll shut up now as this is @KimWood's game.

OCT

2008

Thanks for the info.

Have never figured out how, why to use Twitter so look forward to your material and posts. Thanks.

I haven't done anything with Twitter, partially because I am confused by it. Thank you for the how to and the encouragement.

Bah Humbug---do I really have to Twitter now?

Im a twitter fanatic Follow me @ BZIBEE twitter name

Alison Creamer
RE/MAX Allegiance
www.bzibee.com

I'm still learning about twitter...signed up and forgot about it...then I started getting followers...wow...where did they come from? lol

Kim - I am going to set up a twitter account today - thanks!

This is great information! It's definitely something I'll keep around for reference in the future!

Thanks for the pointers Kim (not sure if we are related). I have been on twitter for a few months now and am still learning new things about it everyday. Looking forward to seeing your additional posts.

I think I will try to register today. Thanks for the info.

I joined at the end of last month and its amazing how quickly people start following you. I still have no routine going.

I have signed up and get to the invite friends part and get stuck. My e-mail is at bellsouth.net and that is not one of the choices to find friends. Any suggestions?????

Happy Friday !!

ori Isaacson

Signed up a few months ago but have not really used it. Say what! "I'm on AR"? Looking forward to learn from you how to tweet :-))) By the end, we will all be excellent song birds!

I could be totally wrong on this, but when you pick a name, you aren't supposed to put the "@" sign in there.

When I choose my Twitter profile, I chose "LocalExposure," not "@LocalExposure."

The "@" only comes into play when you're tweeting back (replying) to someone specific.

Example. I'm following Planet Money and they are following me.
PlanetMoney makes a tweet and I tweet back, addresssing my post to them, by saying
"@PlanetMoney, do you think the rates are going to go up b/c of this bailout?"

The "@" helps my followers to know that I am replying to someone else; not addressing the crowd.
Which, in my opinion, helps me ignore stuff I don't care about reading. To me, the "@" is a flag to let me know that I'm probably not part of that convo and should just skim over that feed.

Thus, it should not be part of your profile name.

P.S. PlanetMoney is fabulous to follow if you want updates about the economy - even late into the night. But in order for it to be effective, subscribe by cell phone and get the mobile alerts so you're up to the minute. The other night when we were en route I got the tweet about AIG getting another $37 billion and announced it outloud as I was reading my cell phone text (from PlanetMoney's tweet) and boy didn't I look like I was so in-the-know.

Hi Kim;

Thank you for the tips I really do appreciate...............................

OCT

2008

Yes, thanks for doing these tutorials - looking forward to checking out the series. A|R is a fabulous place to learn.

Kim, I'm just learning to take advantage of Active Rain. I'm in my fifties and having a terrible time just trying to keep up with the daily advances in technologies. Sometimes I think my cell phone is possessed by demons, not to mention my laptop. Maybe someday I'll twitter, but not yet.

@Lee - I hope to address this some more in a future post - so hang tight. Basically - connections.

@Toby - I'm so glad you stopped and shared... cause it helps for more than just me to tell the benefits! (Get ready for another twit question soon :) You *so* deserve mentioned in my blogs :)

@Diane - Well..... you should try or you won't know if you really should or not :) How's that?

@Tyler - and another NO "s" for Wood! My husband's family is from Michigan.

@Lori - did you read part two?? All about getting followers and followed !

@Sarah - I'm going to edit my post - I guess it could be misleading - you are absolutely right - NO @ when chosing a name!

@Marian - Baby steps!!! ActiveRain is a great place to start.

OCT

2008

I have never used Twitter but I am going to try it now and thanks for the informaiton.

OCT

2008

Thanks Kim - this is exactly what I needed. I have heard so much about Twitter but it just seems too much - your post is encouraging and I know it is the next thing I must do - just started doing video.

NOV

Thanks Kim- I just went online to set this up and bumped into a problem at the get-go! They want my e-mail AND password. Now, WHY would I give out my password? Can you explain this to me?

Thanks Kim.