Founded in 2006, Twitter has taken the social networking world by storm. It’s a micro-blogging service that allows users to send messages to followers or the public at large in 140 characters or less.
Effective Twitter Use
Millions of users “tweet” on a regular basis. While many user primarily post short snip-its about their day, others use the platform to provide their networks with valued information. The service is centered around educating, sharing and listening. It’s effective at driving web traffic to blogs, company websites and events. It’s also ideal for communicating targeted messages about brands, products or services.
Twitter Demographics
Twitter is one of the most popular websites in the world. According to Quantcast, more than 27 million people in the U.S. visit the site every month. Of those, 69% are between 18 to 49 years old. They also tend to be more affluent, with some 27% making between $60,000 and $100,000 a year, and 30% raking in more than $100,000.
Communication Tips in the Twitterverse
Newcomers often encounter a major obstacle: they don’t know how to decipher the Twitter lingo. The vocabulary is constantly evolving, and at times, it can seem like a foreign language.
Here are definitions of common words and phrases to help users navigate the Twitterverse:
- Tweet: A message sent via Twitter
- @username: Usernames are communicated with the “@” symbol located directly in front of the name. When tweeted, the service will automatically create a link to the user’s Twitter profile. For example, “I’m going to meet @andreaaker for lunch.”
- Follower/Following: Twitter is used to build relationships. Users follow other users they find interesting. If User A is following a User B, then User B’s tweets will show up User A’s incoming timeline, or Twitter homepage, and vice versa.
- Tweeps: Slang for friends on Twitter
- Tweeter: Someone who uses Twitter
- Hashtag: Twitter users have created hashtags as a way to categorize tweets. Before sending out a tweet, they have the option to add “#” to the term describing the topic. When users search for the hashtag, they’ll see all related tweets. For instance, sports fans posting tweets about the Chicago Cubs will want to add #cubs to the end of the tweet if they want to communicate with fellow fans.
- DM: This acronym stands for direct message. Twitter has a private channel that tweeters can use to communicate messages that don’t appear in the public timeline. Users can only send DMs to people who follow them.
- RT or Retweet: “Retweets” are reposts of another user’s tweets. The format is: “RT @username: original message.” This is how tweeter cite each other.
- Tweetup: A face-to-face meeting with people who have connected on Twitter and tweet together at the meeting. Organizations hold tweetups to increase awareness about a cause or brand, or to reward Twitter followers.
- Twitterati: Celebrities and A-list tweeters who have huge followings. For instance, basketball great Shaquille O’Neil (@THE_REAL_SHAQ) is a “member” of the Twitterati. He has more than 2.8 million followers.
- FF or FollowFriday: This is a popular hashtag, either #FollowFriday or #FF. It is used to tell followers about other tweeters they should consider following. It’s typically used on Fridays.
Once new users master the basic Twitter lingo, they’ll find it much easier to develop relationships and find new followers. For a comprehensive list of Twitter slang, check out the Twictionary.
To learn more about effective Twitter use, visit:
- Twitter Tips for Businesses
- Twitter Apps for Businesses
Andrea Aker - PR & Marketing Professional in Arizona Andrea Aker founded Aker Ink Public Relations in 2007, armed with an diverse background in PR ...
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