Image via Wikipedia

Image via WikipediaTwitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users’ updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.

Updates are displayed on the user’s profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them. The sender can restrict delivery to those in his or her circle of friends (delivery to everyone being the default). Users can receive updates via the Twitter website, instant messaging, SMS, RSS, email or through an application such as Twitterrific or Facebook.

Source Wikipedia

On my Facebook account, I’ve been asked repeatedly, “What is Twitter” and “why do you use it”? So I thought Wikipedia could define it better than I could.

Twitter has grown INCREDIBLY FAST over the last year that I have been on Twitter. Home based businesses, small brick/mortar businesses and Internet Marketing industries have been seeing the powerful impact that Twitter has on their business.

Soooooo…How Do I Use Twitter?

Everyone who uses Twitter each have a different reason to use Twitter. I really use Twitter as a lifestream to my social media networking. From what I read, to what I write on my blog about, to what I learn and use to build revenue online which keeps me working at home full time.

My Twitter profile is: http://twitter.com/TimothyCarter

Here is what I do- Essentially I ‘follow’ people I share common ground with intellectually, hobbies, passions with, people I find interesting and would like to keep up to date with what’s they are up to. Then I find ways to get to know them…whether from watching their tweet stream to checking out the web link on their profile.

Oftentimes I update my ‘Twitter Status’ either by going to Twitter.com, logging into my account and type in ‘What are you doing?’, if I’m not home, then by using my cell phone or by using another service like Tweetdeck or TweetLater on my laptop. So whether I’ve got my laptop or my cell phone, you often find me tweeting.

Each time I update my status, all my ‘followers’ get a notification on their Twitter page. They can reply directly to me, read the update, visit a link which I
include in my update and even just ignore it. Who would possibly do that?

My Twitter account is set up to connect with my Facebook, Myspace, Plaxo, Tumblr, and my Blog. When I update my Twitter status or my Blog with a new blog post, everyone who’s connected to me through the above social networks can see exactly what I’m doing.

So by using Twitter I can connect all my friends from all my social networks together. Each ‘tweet’ I write on Twitter will have the ability to be seen by between 4000-18,000+ people! And continues to grow.

Twitter and social networking is about building relationships and visibility with others…at least that is what I use Twitter for.

There are several blog posts from Brian Clark (who I HIGHLY respect) of Copyblogger.com that I recommend you read so that you can start putting this tool to work for you and your business.

How Twitter Makes You a Better Writer

How to Use Twitter to Grow Your Business

5 Steps to Going Viral on Twitter

What do you use Twitter for? How does Twitter help your business if you use it for business?

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