Twitter or Blogging

Most Twitter users still don’t know the basics of the site. You don’t need to choose between Twitter and blogging because the social network is considered a micro-blogging site as well. You can blog about anything as long as you consume the 140- characters. The short blogs are more personal and you can post anything.

What can you do on Twitter? Once you’ve created your own profile page, you can now post blogs. You can do it every minute, every hour, or a few times everyday. You can also follow bloggers and other users, create conversations by replying to the tweets sent to you. Through constant conversation, you can easily build good relationships. You don’t need to log to the Twitter site all the time because you can also receive and reply tweets through your IM or mobile phone.

However, there are also bad points in using Twitter. Your blogs will be limited to only 140 characters. For those who want to post longer blogs, Twitter is not for you. You must also use the code provided in giving replies.

Many new users commit certain mistakes in using Twitter. Some of them don’t use real pictures, they send too many impersonal tweets, they use AutoDM wrongly, they spam, etc; don’t commit these mistakes so that you can have more fun in using the social network site.

If you don’t want to get bored, you should find friends on Twitter and get as many followers as possible. If you can find friends, try to encourage your friends to join so that you can start using the site. It’s very easy to join and it’s free. Now, you can send tweets at any time of the day.

For a more memorable Twitter experience, you can add Twitter to your browser so that when you see it, you will use it most of the time. Try to post useful tips and interesting articles. Reply to the messages you receive. If you simply give some of your precious time in sending tweets and in communicating with your followers, you will have a great time using Twitter. You can also add Google Talk so that you can follow your friends and check on your followers even without opening your browser. You can also post replies and new tweets through the Google Talk.

Micro-blogging is for people who want to write short blogs. Blogs are usually long and in Twitter, you will only write very short blogs. It is more personal and you can let everyone know what you’re doing. If you want, you can also post beautiful and carefully-researched tweets. There are also those who join Twitter to conduct online marketing. Well, whatever your reasons are, you’re free to use the site.

Aside from blogging, Twitter is also for social messaging. Its’ very easy to type status updates. You can follow as many individuals as you like and you can also maintain many followers. You can interact with them online or through your mobile device. There are also small groups on Twitter that helps you in coordinating activities or events especially if some of your friends or followers are from the same area.

All in all, Twitter is a business instrument, social messaging, micro-blogging, reporting service, and marketing utility. Twitter or blogging? Well, it doesn’t really matter. Everything you want is in Twitter.

Learning the Twitter Lingo

Twitter is the newest social networking tool that everyone is using. It is so popular that it has developed its own language and everything. If you want to use Twitter learn a few of the terms so that you don’t look silly your first time out.

It is just like instant messaging or text messaging. You feel like you’ve stepped into an alternate universe because everyone looks human but they are speaking some sort of gibberish. Well, it is not really gibberish but the Twitter language. You’ll think you are developing a lisp but that’s okay – everyone who uses it has one.

What are the Basics?

To get you started, here are some basic things to know. The site is called Twitter. Some interchange Twitter and Tweeter and that’s a faux pas. A tweeter is something that works with woofers in your car speakers. Now, you can use “tweeter” to refer to someone who uses Twitter if you want to.

The messages that you send are called Tweets. Don’t confuse it with chirps. A bird chirps and even though a bird is the logo, the messages that you chirp out are known as tweets. Each message is 140 characters or shorter.

A person that uses Twitter is a Twitterer. You can say a Twitter user but twitterer is more accepted. Twittering (or tweeting) is the act of sending and receiving tweets and using various aspects of the service.

On Facebook you have friends, but on Twitter you have followers. Yea, it sounds like you are recruiting for a cult, but it distinguishes Twitter from the other social networking media out there these days. You can be followed or have people that you follow.

There are several tools or applications that can be used with Twitter service. All of these will either begin with “Tw”, hence the lisp. For example you have TweetDeck, Twhirl, Twitterfeed, Twitterrati and so on and so on.

Texting, Anyone?

Twitter does use some of the same lingo as text messaging or chat room users. With 140 characters, space is precious. Instead of typing “see you later,” change it to “CUL8R.” so, not only do you need to be familiar with Twitter lingo but text messaging terms help as well.

Follow Suit

Remember the lisp? Many Twitter terms are recycled terms with a Tw- prefix. For instance, “twalking” is someone who twitters (by text) while they are walking. “Twaffic” is twitter traffic. You get the idea.

For a more comprehensive list of Twitter lingo go to http://twittonary.com for more. This Twitter dictionary includes text messaging abbreviations, Twitter lingo and names for Twitter tools. Keep this handy and you’ll always look like a hip Twitterer.

Does Twitter Have a Downside for Business Owners?

When it comes to running a business, there are both positive and negative aspects. Over time, through trial and error mostly, you learn to give any negative aspects a positive spin. Twitter is the newest social site with business possibilities. But, is it too much for business owners to handle?

Twitter has many positive traits. First of all, as a business application, there is so much you can do for your existing customers. Twitter can be used to reach them quicker than ever before.

Setting up your customer service to run through your Twitter account allows you to respond to client complaints easier. You can use desktop Twitter applications that notify you when a new tweet is posted so that you can view it. Each client or customer can engage you in a one-on-one conversation if they need to.

This quick response also works for your staff as well. Working on a project? Get the group together on Twitter no matter where in the world they are. Being out of the office is not reason not to be able to brainstorm ideas on a project.

As soon as you introduce new products and offerings, your customers can hear about it on Twitter by subscribing to your feed. There will be no more emails that may or may not get opened by your customers. Twittering is a simple way to avoid spam by only getting tweets from feeds you subscribe to. It is easy for them and you.

Downside?

Now, let’s take a look at the other side of the spectrum. Twitter is addictive on many levels. When you should be working, you could be twittering. So you’ll say that you are just connecting with others to be a good follower but that all stops when no work gets done.

What about the interruptions? Every time you get notified about a new tweet on another feed or someone responds to your tweets you will know about it. It’s as if someone keeps calling you each time they have something to say. It gets annoying in a big way.

Each tweet provides a distraction or a break in concentration. When the money coming into your business depends on you, these distractions could be costing you money.

Remember those tweets? If they are not interesting, you won’t have any followers. Using Twitter for business research or finding new leads can be tricky. Use keywords that will catch people’s eye or they will pass you by.

These are just a few things to think about. Along with the pluses don’t forget to consider the minuses. Twitter is useful for product promotions, giveaways, notices and customer service. Don’t lose your way as you strive to grow your business by getting mired down in endless tweets. Focus on why you are using Twitter.