Why I Tweet and a Bit of Twitter 101

I’ll fess up: I initially created a twitter account so I could get one more entry into a giveaway on Happily Domestic. I already had a facebook account and a blog, so another social networking account wasn’t high on my list of priorities. Doing things halfway isn’t really my style, though, so I decided to fill out the entire profile and not just make a throw-away account.

Once I started tweeting about giveaways, mysterious “followers” started showing up in my inbox. Most of them were return follows from bloggers with giveaways, but quite a few were also retailers who must search for tweeters mentioning their products. As I started reading tweets and checking profiles, I started to discover that twitter had something to offer that facebook doesn’t: real-time interaction with people with similar interests without providing your personal information or fussing with complicated privacy settings.

I like to go on twitter when I’m excited, bored, frustrated, etc. and send a post into the virtual world. It’s so fun to receive quick responses that are often sympathetic, amused, or ready to share a mutual emotion with you. I also love the opportunity to personally interact with retailers, especially WAHMs with their own businesses and Etsy shops. They will often share special discounts with twitter pals and it’s fun to get to know them. Plus, I love supporting other moms. There’s something so cool about making a purchase like I did from RG Natural Babies on Black Friday and having the retailer send me a tweet the following week to see if I received my package. And to see if I was happy with my purchase.

I also connected with other tweeters and mom bloggers by participating in the weekly twitter #clothdiapers chat. This has proved an incredible way to expand my knowledge about the subject and also build new friendships. I’ve also discovered new blogs and resources this way. I look forward to the chat each Monday and love that it’s mainly an excuse for a group of diverse moms to come together and chat.

Using twitter proved to be a bit of a mystery at first. Some quick google inquiries, however, and I figured out a few key things:
1. To copy your tweet link address, simply right click on the date stamp. This is essential for entering giveaways.
2. On the right hand side it’ll say @with your username. Mine says @InquisitiveMom. This is where you can find all of the tweets mentioning (or directed at) you.
3. To mention or send a message to someone else, you add the “@” symbol, plus their name. So, to mention me, you would put @InquisitiveMom. You can mention as many people as you want. Just add the @ before each new name.
4. People are involved in all kinds of discussions on a variety of topics. To join in, you can add the “#” sign to a word and anyone searching for that word can see your tweets. I like to participate in the weekly #clothdiapers chat and have connected with tons of other tweeters and blogger moms that way.
5. You can direct message someone if you’d like to send them a private message. Your DM box is on the right hand side.To DM someone, they must be following you.
6. If you like someone else’s tweet, you can “retweet” it by copying it and adding “RT” to the front. Some tweeters now have the option to click and retweet as well.
7. You can set up your facebook and twitter account so that adding “#fb” will allow you to selectively make tweets your fb status updates. Here’s the link to set this up Selective Twitter.
8. Twitter is all about being short and sweet. Here’s some shortcuts people  use:
IMO – In my opinon
dh – Dear Husband
dd – Dear Daughter (if you have more than 1, add #)
ds – Dear Son
9. You can create lists now to categorize your tweet buddies. This way you can quickly click and not miss out on tweets.
10. Twitter is a fun, fast-paced, somewhat addicting way to social network. Sometimes I have to make myself click out of twitter, so I can get something done!

Coming up tomorrow: Links to recipes my blogger and twitter buddies have been posting for the holidays!