How to Twitter - Part One : Why Twitter? Get signed up
How to Twitter - Part Two : Setting up your Profile
How to Twitter - Part Three: Follow and Get Followed

Today... Part Four will address The Conversation.

After you have accumulated some people that you follow, you will see them talking.  Time to join in!!  Twitter is only a good thing if you use it! 

I have some tips to share with you when you are thinking about what to write:

1. Be yourself.
2. Don't be a Salesy Real Estate Agent or other. Don't constantly ask, "Who wants to buy a home in Timbucktu?"
3. Don't be Link Happy with your own posts.  Link up other posts that you have enjoyed reading - and most of the time, don't link at all.
4. You aren't limited to "What are you Doing?" You can use "What are you thinking?" "What's for lunch?" "Here is my question for you" etc.  No rules!
5. Don't use it like a chat room.  (I can be too chatty ::guilt face::)  If you continue one-on-one conversation - take it outside of twitter to a chat program, email, or phone call!

Now onto The Conversation.

To send a general message just type 140 characters or less into the box and enter:

Trying to decide whether to work on Inbox Zero, convert paper to .pdf files, or Twitter some more!

To direct your conversation to someone:(keep in mind, others can see your conversation)

@KimWood Congrats on your news of the day!! You are going to write for Mothers Fighting for Others !!

I just heard that @KimWood is a new writer at Mothers Fighting for Others !!! 
(The 1st suggestion is better, it is easier to view your replies if the name is at the beginning of the sentence)

To direct your conversation to more than one person:

@KimWood @HeadMutha @Respres Yay for the new Mothers Fighting for Others gig!

A new writer at Mother's Fighting for Others @KimWood @headmutha @respres yay!
or
@KimWood Congrats, that is great news!!!  @SarahWV You write for Mothers Fighting for Others, don't you?
(see the above example - better to put @names at the beginning of a sentence)

To send a private, direct message:  (the person you are sending the message to must follow you in order to DM them - but you can @reply)

d KimWood No wonder you were bursting at the seams to tell us.
D [SPACE] name then your message.

* What happens on the internet stays on the internet - just a quick reminder. Be careful with DMs.  What happens if you forget the space - or twitter has a hiccup?  (haha remembering VAR convo at breakfast and my DMs)

Most of all ... have fun!!!  Remember it gets more and more difficult to keep up the conversation after you have more and more followers.

Part Five - Extras on Twitter Web