Twitter for dummies – Part 1: terminology and FAQs

I have recently noticed that a lot of friends are expanding their social networks, going beyond Facebook and joining Twitter, LinkedIn and others. To help those of you who are new to the Twittersphere, I’ve created an instruction manual on the basics of successful tweeting.

Joining a new social network can be a daunting task, especially when you hope to use it as a professional tool. The concept of connecting with strangers and forging a beneficial relationship online can feel strange and unnatural.

The most important thing to remember is that there is not one right way to use a social network. At the end of 2009, there were 18 million people on Twitter, each using it in their own unique way. That being said, like any community, it has its own lingo and norms to follow if you want to be successful.

Twanguage, a.k.a Twitter language (yes, I made that word up)

All those @’s, RT’s, and #’s do have names and mean something.

• @ = at-reply and is a way to start a conversation with someone. When you put an @ before a person’s handle (Twitter username) you are directing your Tweet to them. It creates a hyperlink to that user’s Twitter account and goes into a special inbox on their Twitter homepage. Many users get alerts on their phones or desktop applications when they receive an at-reply.  Other Twitter users who are following both of your streams can also see the Tweet.
• RT = retweet and should be used when passing along information you discovered from another person’s tweet. Whether it is a link to a news article or a funny thought, if you first saw the content from another Twitter user you must give them credit. Using “via @twitterhandle” is another acceptable way to give credit for a tweet and is often used when the content has been changed so drastically it no longer represents the opinion of the original tweeter.
• # = hashtag and creates a hyperlink to anything connected to it. When you click on the hashtag it brings up a real-time list of everyone using that tag. Hashtags are used to connect people tweeting about the same topic, and will often be assigned to a particular event so people who are not in attendance can follow along with the chatter. People will also use hashtags to add creativity and humor to a tweet. For an example of someone who has mastered the art of #hilarioushashtags, follow Sam Boeser.
• DM = direct message and is a private message between you and one other person.
• #ff = follow Friday and is a way to recommend people who you think are worthy of a follow.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I find people to follow? First, find the people you already know on Twitter and comb through their follow lists. I, for instance, have a follow Friday list that includes my favorite Tweeps (Twitter Peeps).  Next, do a Twitter search for people who are Tweeting about topics you are interested in. For example, if you’re a sports fan, see who else is talking about your favorite team during the game.
• How do I get people to follow me? The hardest part of Twitter is developing a critical mass. There are social circles on Twitter that can be intimidating to break into. Be patient and don’t be afraid to add your two cents into a conversation. Be generous and pass along people’s content that you think is interesting. Even if they have 900 followers, if you re-tweet something someone says it will grab their attention.
• Why would people care about what I have to say? My twitter mentor, David Erickson, always says that this is the first thing you need to get out of your head. You must go in with the mentality “of course, people will care about what I have to say.”
• If I want to use Twitter as a professional tool, should I tweet about personal topics? This is a highly debated topic in the Twittersphere. Some people use it solely for business and never throw in a tweet about a good restaurant they tried, a sporting event they’re watching or anything else that does not directly benefit the bottom line. Personally, I throw a lot of non-business related tweets into my stream. It is my belief that part of developing yourself as a professional is connecting with other professionals. People like to see your human side and will be able to better relate to you, if they get a glimpse into what your passions are outside of work.

If you have additional questions about Twitter or other social networks you’re testing out, please leave them in the comments. And, be sure to check back soon for part 2: how to “get it” and part 3: measuring your impact.

Photo credit: Cambodia4kidsorg on Flickr

Tags: Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media, social networking, terminology, Twitter, Twitter FAQs, Twitter for business, Twitter for dummies