Brief guide to getting started on Twitter
Twitter is a “micro-blogging” site. It allows you to post very short (< 140 characters) messages. This is not much space, so the best way to think of Twitter is as a networking and information site, allowing quick and punchy announcements, updates and links to be posted.
Note: remember to check your organisation’s social media policy before starting.
1. Create a Twitter account
Go to
Fill in your details in the box. The name you use in this box is the name that will display on your account, so if you want your account to have a work name (eg Knowledge into Action), use this here. Once you hit submit the system will then ask you to choose a twitter name. This is the name you’ll be known as on twitter, and by which people will be able to direct messages to you (eg K2AScotland). Both these names can be the same, providing the Twitter name isn’t taken, however you want your Twitter handle to be short ideally, because if people do want to direct messages to you (@K2AScotland) this counts in the 140 characters.
2. Edit your profile and pictures
After set up, the system will ask you to start following people and provide a suggested list – which will mostly be top celebrities. Following people is vital, but it’s best to edit your profile first, especially if it’s a work account. You can put in a brief description of you, or the project/organisation and upload photos or logos. If you can’t see a way out of that page, just type back into the browser and this should take you to your home page.
3. Start following people
You can find people to follow by putting terms into the search box at the top of the page.
To follow just click on the “follow” button. The tweets from people you follow will then appear in your timeline (the central column on the image is what a timeline looks like.
4. Use hash tags
The hash tag (#) is a way users organise information flow on Twitter.It’s worth understanding what these are and how they work, and putting some planning and thought into using them, as good use of a hash tags is an excellent way to spread your message far wider than just your own followers and gain followers.
5. @ and direct messages
You can send a private message to someone using the direct message function, provided that person follows you. No one else will see this. Using @and an account name at the beginning of a tweet will reply or tweet directly to that account, but is not private. Normally it will only be seen by those following you and the other account. @ and an account name anywhere else in a tweet alerts the other account to a mention and will be seen by all your followers.
6. Gaining more followers
- Tweet regularly and tweet interesting material.
- Share articles and blogs that are of interest to others
- Keep up-to-date with what’s happening in your field and help inform the debate
- Re-tweet, especially those tweeters you have connections and partnerships with, or who you’d like to follow you back. Also politically, re-tweet senior people in your own organisation or subject field, and people such as academics, government ministers etc where they’re saying something of interest to your followers.
- If you have something particularly important and think there are others who could share it wider, ask them to re-tweet you
- Do #ff follow Fridays, highlighting particularly interesting tweeters you follow – that way some might #ff back
- Use hash tags well so you appear in subject threads, especially where you have expert interest
Top tweeting tips:
- Remember you’re providing a public face for your organisation
- Never tweet drunk or angry
- Remember everything you tweet is public, except Direct Messages but just as with email, don’t rely on that!
- Keep it positive
- Keep it non-political where possible
- Never engage in Twitter spats or fights
BUT: - Try to strike a balance and make it friendly rather than corporate and bland.
- Don’t be afraid to use humour and let your personality come through
Advanced guide to getting started on Twitter
to getting started on Twitter.doc