So, you've been convinced that you need to be on Twitter, because that's where people you want to attract are at and it's a great way to continue to brand yourself online.
Now it's time to get our feet wet!
Setting up your Twitter Account - It's as Easy as 1-2-3
Go to http://twitter.com/. Click the big yellow square on the right hand side that says "Sign Up"
You'll be directed to a new page to fill out your information. Everything is pretty self-explanatory, except creating your username.
Your username is also known as a Twitter handle. A Twitter handle is like a ham radio handle. As a kid, my dad was (and still is) an avid ham radio operator. Whenever he announced himself on the airway he used his "handle", which was "Golf Papa Papa". I still have no idea on how that handle name came to be...
Anyway, your Twitter handle is essentially your code name that's broadcasted to everyone in Twitterland.
Tips to creating a good username/handle:
- Be specific and unique so people can find you
- Have it make sense. If you want to tweet about real estate, have this somewhere in your name.
- Keep it short, but not too short. I always recommend keeping it 10 characters or less. It makes it possible for others to ReTweet you. 160-characters is valuable real estate and if you used up 20 characters on a ReTweet, well, you better be a good editor (more on what the heck ReTweets are in another post).
In this example, I created the username "livelydrop". Other great examples of twitter usernames/handles are:
- @REMAXTEAM - I get from the name what they might be talking about
- @DChomesforsale - It's specific, going back to being hyper-local.
- @ATLhomefinder - Again, it's specific and you know what they are talking about
- @DebeInCharlotte - I like this because she can position herself as an expert in Charlotte and she adds her name which overtime can create a nice personal touch
- @isellmoney - Um...not going to forget this person. Are you?
The next screen has you pick out your interests and follow a few people. This is a great way to learn from other great tweeters and how they do it. Really take notice of these people. What are they saying? How are they saying it? How often are they saying it? I'd recommend selecting at least 4 people off Twitter's suggested list.
And that's it! Your Twitter account has been set up. Easy, right?
Next steps? Tomorrow we'll go over customizing your account by adding your picture, writing your profile, creating your background and writing your first tweet.
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