All A Twitter

Twitter is the latest Internet craze, but not everybody's convinced it's worthwhile - especially in your professional life. Join Gihan and Chris as they explain what it is, how it works and how to get the most out of it.



MP3 File

What is Twitter?

Compare Twitter with e-mail: Why don't we share our thoughts by e-mailing everybody in our address book?

1. Not everybody wants it
2. Fills up their in-box
3. Messages are too long to read
4. Gets mixed up with important e-mail
5. Difficult to opt out

Twitter solves these problems:

1. Only your followers get your tweets (messages)
2. They only see what streams by at the time
3. Messages have to be 140 characters maximum
4. It operates as a separate channel from e-mail
5. You must have their permission, and they get to opt out at any time

Where does Twitter/microblogging fit in the social networking landscape?

• MySpace/Facebook: family and friends (small circle of people around you)
• LinkedIn: professional network (larger circle, but still you get to choose)
• Twitter: can be both (but very large circle - and you don't have control)

People on Twitter:

• Gihan on Twitter
• Chris on Twitter
• Pollies: Kevin and Malcom actually get Twitter - Obama doesn't
• Celebrities: Demi Moore does it better than her husband Ashton Kutcher; Oprah got 1,000,000 followers, but doesn't get it (tweets in ALL CAPS); Arj Barker gets it.
• You're never too old to Tweet - Ivy Bean 104 years old

But does Kevin really get it? The Herald Sun reckons he's a boring twit, and Gihan reckons he's an arrogant twit with tweets like this:

How to Use Twitter

How to:

• Deepen your domain: Follow smart people (use Twitter's search box or follow recommendations) and read what they say
• Broaden your field: Follow others in your field, re-tweet, reply, DM, go "offline" to e-mail or their blogs or (gasp!) phone
• Expand your network: Invite clients, prospects, e-zine readers and others to follow you; give them value (not promotional)
• Share your thoughts: Link to your blog posts, link to other URLs you like, re-tweet good stuff, say wise stuff

The most important rule:

What To Do Next

Sign up, start following Gihan and Chris, follow the people they're following, then eventually start tweeting!

Remember: Twitter is like a magnifying glass, so use it to support what you do best - learning, collaborating, networking or sharing.