Twitter 101

A workshop for PR students looking to join the conversation.

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A Brief History

Began as an experiment in 2006

A real-time micro-blogging service

“What Are You Doing?”

Sign up at www.twitter.com

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The Basics Tweet: A post with 140 characters max Follower: Someone who subscribes to a Twitter feed @: A public message to the user whose name follows the symbol

– Ex. “@AngelaHernandez Hey did you study for BCA?” DM: Direct message. A private message to the user whose name

follows the letter “D”

– Ex. “D AngelaHernandez Hey did you study for BCA?”

– Notice the spacing differences between an @reply and a direct message

RT: Re-posting someone else’s Tweet (retweet)

– Ex. “RT @DanielleLeone PRSSA meeting tonight at 8pm!”

The Basics Continued… Hashtag: A label using the “#” symbol following a Tweet to

categorize what is contained in the post

– Ex. @AngelaHernandez Did you study for BCA? #tests #studying

– Used for searches and Twitter chats Trending Topics: The most mentioned terms on Twitter Tweetup: A face-to-face gathering organized via Twitter Favorite: A post that the user finds to be noteworthy, marked by

a golden star and visible to those who click on your favorites

Creating an Effective Profile

Unique User Name (aka Twitter Handle)– Professional? Fun? Nickname?

– 20 characters max

Headshot Biography External Site Link

– Blog, Web site, LinkedIn Profile

Unique Background– www.twitbacks.com

– Photoshop your own

You Are What You Tweet

Share links to interesting articles Ask questions Join Twitter chats Engage in conversation Not just a status update Be professional

TinyURL

An easy way to shorten long links

Great for keeping posts under 140

Posts with less characters more likely to be RT’ed

Directories and Searches

Directories– Listings of Twitter

users by industry

– Find people to follow

– Add yourself to 3 categories

– www.wefollow.com

Search– www.search.twitter.com

or in homepage sidebar

– Real time results from people who are talking about a specific subject

– Helpful searches:• #prssa

• #pr

• #entrypr

Build Your Network

Follow Others! Mr. Tweet (@MrTweet) Follow Friday Links to PR people on Twitter

– http://aerocles.wordpress.com/iampr-pr-tweeps/ – http://www.conversationagent.com/

2009/09/100-pr-people-worth-following-on-twitter.html

Staying Safe Be wary of

– “Internet marketers”– “Get tons of Followers”– Profiles without external links, few followers, little to no

Tweets and no picture Check to see login URL is valid Don’t give password information to unverified

third-party applications Block spam followers Look for verified accounts

Twitter Chats A real-time conversation that takes place on Twitter

– Similar to a chat room– Usually weekly or monthly at same time– Moderated by an individual or individuals who ask questions, generate

conversation– People drawn together by a similar interest or profession

Designated by a specified hashtag in Tweets– Ex. #PRStudChat, #journchat

Follow and participate– Twitter search (need to manually refresh for updates)– www.tweetgrid.com – www.tweetchat.com

– Tweet response and include designated hashtag

#PRStudChat A monthly, live chat session PR students, professionals and

educators Amazing opportunity to connect with

well-known industry professionals Moderated by @DeirdreBreakenridge

and hosted by @ValerieSimon Hashtag is #PRStudChat First chat? Check out

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5725-Public-Relations-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Guide-to-Twitter-Chats

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#PRStudChat Challenge!

Oct. 21 at Noon EST School with greatest number of participants

wins…– A Skype presentation by @DeirdreBreakenridge, four-

time author, and President of PFS Marketwyse

– Publicity for university’s PR program

– $50 American Express Gift Card

Must include hashtag #CMU in Tweets

Twitter Do’s and Don'ts

Do– Engage in conversation– Follow other PR students

and professionals– Post often– Ask questions– Actually read articles

people share– Frequently check your

@replies– Join #PRStudChat Oct. 21

Don’t– Set up an auto DM

– Follow everyone who follows you

– Tweet about sensitive information or inappropriate content

– Simply post about the mundane happenings in your life

– Be afraid to reach out to someone

Questions?

Connect With Us!– @CMUPRSSA

– @AngelaHernandez

– @DanielleLeone

– @booyi1cj

– @AngelaZott

– @AllysePadden

– @KateHeer

– @JasonSchnaidt

– @emarie_t

– @CarlyMMills

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