Twitter is one social media tool that has grown by leaps and bounds in 2008 and continues to gain notoriety for its micro-blogging, 140 character only "tweets," brief messages read by those who choose to follow you. The above video from Common Craft helps you understand the purpose of Twitter.
NSPRA/Ohio is using Twitter to post frequent updates about the upcoming conference to be held in Columbus on March 12 and 13, 2009. You can sign-up for Twitter and have an account in just minutes! Our direct link to Twitter is http://twitter.com/nspraohio. You can also sign-up at http://twitter.com and then search for us by typing in @nspraohio. The "@" symbol helps Twitter identify people or companies directly.
Twitter is not only a great place to communicate with friends, it is also a place people are conducting business, making connections, and growing professionally. Many corporations, politicians, non-profits, small businesses, and media members use Twitter. Barack Obama successfully utilized Twitter during his campaign. Airlines like Southwest and JetBlue utilize it to communicate flight status updates and other information to customers. Media types use it to get story ideas and to provide direct links to stories in their newspaper or television station or website. Schools are also using it, along with Education Week magazine and other educational resource providers. Want to follow some Ohio school districts? Check out these three to see how they use it for communications:
Once you sign-up, the easiest way to understand it is to start following others and see who they are following and who is following them. Start following some of these people. You will be surprised who is on Twitter! Following people in a career field or subject matter that you work within is certainly a great way to find professional resources and connections. Search for your local newspapers, TV stations, and websites, and you will likely find them on there. The Columbus Dispatch, Dayton Daily News, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, and Cincinnati Enquirer are just some major Ohio newspapers that utilize it.
Give it a shot and give it some time. Twitter is not easily understand at first. It might even seem like a waste of time, but sticking with it and increasing who you follow will help you learn why Twitter has become such a popular and useful social media tool.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment