help me with twitter!

[magic1]

could someone give me some hints on twitter...is it good or completely over rated...what do you do on it? I have an account but don't get it!

please anything, whats its main vice...whats its purpose....

[Restrikted]

It's basically a service to let people know what is going on in your life. An example of a couple tweets: "about to go rock climbing" or "at a fancy restaurant with some friends". I signed up for an account but have never used it, because I personally find it boring. The idea is that people will be interested in knowing what you are doing throughout your day (and most people are), but I'm not particularly interested in knowing everything someone is doing.

[David Cain]

Twitter originated as a place to just report what you're doing, and if that's all you use it for, then of course it will be boring.

It has evolved to something much greater than that. It's a place where people share links and news, get questions answered, promote their businesses (and other people's), and a lot more.

You can use it to establish contacts in another city if you're going to be traveling there, you can use it to locate experts on something you want to know more about, you can find people who would like to read your blog. Twitter is shaping how communication will be in the future: instant and communal.

Ignore the cynics, they don't know what they're talking about.

You will not understand what its capabilities are until you start experimenting. Get on there and start interacting with people, you'll learn fast. See what other people are tweeting for ideas.

Add me if you like: David Cain (DavidDCain) on Twitter

And go to TwiTip and read some posts there about what to do on twitter.

[WordKeeper]

I have tried and not figured it out. But I also post here for some help or links to "tutors" and didn't get replies. I'll try out your suggestions David. Magic, I'm interested in knowing if you figure it out and find it useful.

[sirkinm]

Twitter is here to stay. I had resisted in the beginning, but it seems to be taking over the world. Many people in the tech community (like Digg.com founder Kevin Rose, on the latest DiggNation podcast) suggest that it's taking over the blog in many people's lives -- instead of updating your blog to let people know your business, you simply keep them up-to-date via Twitter.

[magic1]

thanx all....Ill just have a play..I guess was wondering if it was just one of those things that every one raves about but don't really do much....Cant even figure out how to follow people, do you have to type in their name?

[David Cain]

Click on any username and it will take you to their twitter page. There will be a button right below their picture that says "Follow."

I just followed you.

[cacheborn]

Guy Kawasaki's article on How to use Twitter as a tool has been quite popular, though I do not agree with all of his techniques. It gives you an idea of how some people use it.

[lovelyn]

Darren Rowse has a blog all about Twitter called TwiTip. It has a lot of useful information and tips for using Twitter for marketing.

I had a Twitter account for nearly a year and had no idea what to do with it. Then I got a TweetDeck and it opened up a whole new Twitter universe to me. It also helps me keep my Facebook account up to date.

Here's my Twitter page.

[impaul99]

I just started using Twitter more in the last few days. I've had an account for a long time and without doing anything I got about 150 followers from my Blog, but in the last few days since getting more into it I've gotten 50 followers in just a few days.

From there, I've figured set it up so that every Blog post I write gets sent to Twitter with a link that allows me to track who clicks on links.

I'm still very much testing and learning about it, but so far I have to say that there is a lot more to this Twitter thing than most people realize.

For example, using it as a search engine for what's happening RIGHT NOW in any topic by searching through Tweets. For that purpose, it's better than Google because it's updated faster.

[David Cain]

Yes, I have found myself using twitter search more and more, and google less and less. When it comes to getting a grip on current events, you can't beat Twitter. They'll point to you the best resources.

This is the future of search: actual people, rather than algorithms, finding things for you.

[Addict]

The thing that really bugs me about twitter is it's filled with such spammy people. They send out the same links 10 times a day.

I'd like to find some real people to connect with, but every single time I see something about followers, it's a freaking ad.

[David Cain]

Originally Posted by Addict

The thing that really bugs me about twitter is it's filled with such spammy people. They send out the same links 10 times a day.

I'd like to find some real people to connect with, but every single time I see something about followers, it's a freaking ad.

Unfollow anyone who is spammy. If you want people to follow, just use twitter search to find people talking about a topic you like. When you see someone say something interesting, click on their name and follow them if you like them.

You can also try:

wefollow.com

twellow.com

[fairyblogmother]

We enjoy using Twitter for a variety of things... but mainly, it's a great way for having "conversations" online (if you can call 140 characters at a time a conversation!). We use it to have fun, to promote our blog, and to help other people with the things they are trying to accomplish.