Back to Twitter…to surmise this incredible network, think of it not as a “social network” such as the likes of Facebook, Bibo or the way My Space initially began. Consider the limitations as a justification of this –
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On Twitter: (The “limitations” make this a thing of beauty)
Pay attention...
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- You don’t know many people to begin with so making connections is very difficult in the initial stages – connections are established through “conversation” or joining a “conversation”
- That “conversation” is itself limited to 140 characters which is shorter than a SMS (or text message) – hence, what you say needs to be concise and impactful in terms of the “conversation” you are contributing to
- Being yourself is paramount to introducing a human element to your “tweets” (“tweets” are the network term for the messages you contribute to the “conversation”) as not to give off an auto-mated messaging service simply churning out what you think others want to see and read
- I refer to Twitter as being a “conversation” for the sake of understanding that Twitter revolves around “trending topics” and generally whatever is happening in each tweeter’s world
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- Another reason why I refer to Twitter as a “conversation” is that – personally – I consider Twitter as an “Information Network” more so than a “Social Media Network” – information can be gained on any subject at anytime as long as the correct and intellectual questioned is asked
- Many consider Twitter as a “crowd sourcing platform” meaning that if you needed an opinion about a particular subject, you’d place a question or statement into the “Twitterverse” and accept and take into account any and all replies to your “tweet” – simply gaining a broad opinion which either criticize, augment or justify those specific opinions
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Twitter is essentially composed of a fine balancing act of three elements.
OKAY OKAY........just breathe!!!!!!
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1. People you Follow – “Following”
If this sounds slightly stalkerish, don’t worry, you aren’t actually “following” them, all you have basically done is “plug in” to their “Feed” (which is tech speak for everything they say…) thus being able to seize the chance to enter a conversation with them – sound easy enough? Well, it is when you really make an effort with it. Choosing your point of entry to a conversation is key to making an impact – if many people seem to contributing to that conversation – try and direct your “tweet” at them as well making your audience even bigger with a simply reply or addition to the conversation itself.
2. Those that Follow you – “Followers”
Now if this sounds all too Biblical for you, don’t get your “twickers” (Twitter folk do that very often – we take normal every day words and substitute the first letter or first and second letter with ‘tw’ – “twucking” cool hey?) in a knot – these people are either politely following you back or have become interested in what you have been contributing to the conversation that is Twitter. You of course have the option to remove or block them if you find their replies to you unsuitable or spam orientated – yes, there is spam and it is the one downfall with Twitter at the moment.
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Spam comes in all shapes and sizes on Twitter – some of the more popular spammers will post links to you advertising great stuff and once you click on the embedded links through their “tweets” you land up on some ridiculous website promoting online business start up packages…trust me, there is nothing more irritating than this.
You will also encounter the many corporate accounts that follow you depending on your trending topics you are constantly discussing as you “tweet” on a day-to-day basis…wait, scratch that…minute-to-minute basis or second-to-second basis…okay, maybe it isn’t that bad, but it’s close! These corporate accounts become a true annoyance, as you’ll find that the only information shared form them will be recommendations and company updates.
Remember: You will not receive updates/”tweets” from people you do not “Follow”…unless they mention you in their “tweets”. Mentions will usually come up in your “Twitter Feed” (your list of “tweets” from the people YOU “Follow”). Having influential people on Twitter “Mention” you or pass on information originally written from you is the perfect and most professional way to gain “Followers” on Twitter.
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Some Terms to Remember on Twitter:
This is when you know Twitter has taken over!
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(Twitter is filled with acronyms – because of the lack of character space with each tweet, the Twitterverse has become accepting of some weird and wacky acronyms! These acronyms are compliments of Gina Loubser who is the pragmatic @innov8ive on Twitter…if you’re on Twitter and don’t “Follow” her, then you are not engaging enough!)
1 = one, won
2 = to, too, two
4 = for, four
4ward = forward
be4 = before
b/c = because
BFN = Bye For Now
BR = Best Regards
BWN = Between
DM = Direct Mail
DNFTT = Do not feed the trolls
EM = Email
FFS = For F*** Sake
FTF / F2F = fact to face
FTL = For the loss
FTW = For the Win
FUBAR = F-ed up beyond all reason OR
FUBAR = F-ed up beyond all recognition OR
FUBAR = Fed up beyond all repair
gr8 = great
HT = Hat Tip is used when you want to acknowledge or thank the person who sent the original tweet. HT @username
IM = Instant Message
IMHO = In My Honest Opinion / In My Humble Opinion
IMX = In my experience
OH # Overheard
in2 = Into
IOW = In other words
IRL = In teal life
j/k = just kidding
JFGI = Just F___ng Google it
JFGI = Just F-ing Google it
JSYK = Just so you know
l8 = late
l8er = later
lmao = Laughing My Ass Off
LMK = Let me know
lol = laugh out loud
NP = No Problem
OH = Overheard
OMFG = Oh my f—- G-d
OMG = Oh my G-d
OT = Original Tweeter/Original Tweet
PRT = Partial Re Tweet. Use PRT whenever you change the words or abbreviate words within a tweet that you are re tweeting.
R = Are
rofl = Rolling On Floor Laughing
RT = Re Tweet
RTFM = Read the F-ing Manual
SNAFU Situation Normal: All F___ed Up
STFW = Search the F___ng Web
STFW= Search the F__ng Web
TMI = Too much information
TTFN = Ta Ta for now (ta ta = colloquial expression for good-bye)
TTYL = Talk to you later
TYT = Take your time
TYVM = Thank you very much
UR = your
U R = you are
VIA = If you wish to rewrite a tweet that is based on a link or information sent by another person, use VIA @username to acknowledge source. If u r going to change the context of the persons tweet but use the same link, it's best to use VIA…not RT.
w/e = weekend
WTF = What the f—
WTH = What the heck
XD = Crunched up smile
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary …In other words (IOW), what’s true in my experience (IMX) may differ from yours
(Please keep in mind that these acronyms are the short list of terms out there...there are many added on a daily basis!)
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Now I know that a lot of the above seems like serious-geek-orientated hocus-pocus and the fact of the matter is, you’re right, this is a geeks world and you’ll find that most Tweeters are of the geeky nature! Don’t get me wrong, this “network” is truly for everyone and even if you aren’t into the whole “social-media-vibe” you should at least be monitoring the “Twitter Airwaves” because it can become a great way for you and companies to monitor what people are saying about particular brands, issues or basically whatever you can think of.
I have stated that Twitter is for everyone, but the truth is that it really isn’t – if you feel like you don’t have anything interesting to say or share, then don’t join Twitter – *I kid the quiet people* – don’t, I’m telling you not to…but, if you do and you feel like you have more to share than the next person, Twitter is definitely for you.
Join the conversation and you’ll soon see that “the juice is definitely worth the squeeze“.
Now get tweeting you twats.
(@Green_Guerrilla on Twitter)
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