How to Get Started with Twitter

Twitter is a service that is rapidly increasing in popularity.  It is a cross between a social networking website and a micro-blog.  With over 2 millions users, Twitter is becoming a popular way to stay in contact with friends, family, coworkers, and more.

If you have yet to try Twitter, you will want to do so.  As previously stated, Twitter is a combination micro-blog and social networking website.  For that reason, some internet users bypass the opportunity.  One of those is internet marketers and home based workers.  If you work from home or from your computer, your main goal while online is to make money, not make new friends.  This mindset is beneficial, but it can also hurt you and your business.

Despite what you may have heard, you can do a lot more than update your friends and family on a new job, grade in a class, or an upcoming trip.  It is easy to network and make new friends, or followers, on the Twitter website.  This is where you have the potential to market yourself and your online business.  In fact, Twitter can be used to increase your sales.  It isn’t recommended that you outright advertise your product or service on Twitter, but there are unique approaches that you can take.

As for how you can use Twitter to market yourself or your business online, start with updates.  For example, do you sell handmade products?  If so, quickly describe the product you just made and provide a link to the website where it is available for sale.  Instead of saying buy my product, ask for feedback.  Depending on how your message is viewed, the link may not be clickable.  Even still, internet users may key your link into an internet search to see and review your product for you.  If anyone likes it, they may buy.

Since you can use Twitter to do more than just update your current friends and family members, you may want to get started.  If you do not already have a Twitter account, the first step is visiting the website, which is located at Twitter.com.  You will see a link to get started.  Click on that link and fill out the form.  You will be required to create a username, a password, and provide your email address.

Next, you will be brought to a page that asks for your email account’s password.  There is a security message on the side stating that your password will not be stored and that your email account will not be accessed without permission.  This step is to allow you to see if your email contacts have Twitter accounts.  If so, add them.  You can also bypass this step.

At the top of the page, where your email password is asked for, you will also find the option to invite by email.  This is a great alternative if you do not want to provide your account’s password or if your contact list is not updated.  Enter in a number of email addresses, and invites will be sent to your contacts.

Also at the top of the page, you will find the option to search for friends or followers.  You can search by name or location.  This option is ideal if you want to connect with former friends, family members, or coworkers whose email addresses you do not have or know.

Although you can easily add Twitter friends and followers that you do not know, some are cautious about accepting invites.  For marketing purposes, use the internet, message boards, and other social networking websites for information.  For example, if you sell homemade products, you may also belong to an arts and crafts or home based business message board.  Post a message asking for Twitter contacts.  In no time at all, you might have quite the following.  Remember, the more Twitter followers you have, the more you can market your business.

PPPPP

Word Count 651
