This document introduces Twitter and provides guidance on using it effectively. It defines common Twitter terms like tweets, follows, hashtags and retweets. It also outlines best practices for Twitter including engaging with others, using relevant hashtags and keeping tweets interesting. Recommended tools for managing Twitter accounts are also listed. The goal is to help users understand Twitter and optimize their presence on the platform.

1. Intro to Twitter
with Katrina (Scooter) Kokoska
@kkokoska // kkokoska@schipul.com

2. What We’ll Cover
• What is Twitter
• The Twitter Basics
• Using Twitter
• Getting Started
• Twitter Tools
@kkokoska

3. What is Twitter?

4. Tweet Speak
• Tweet: A post on Twitter, 140 char. max. Not
editable.
• Follow: Subscribe to a Twitter user’s post feed.
• Unfollow: Unsubscribe from a post feed.
• Block: Prevents a specific logged in user from
seeing your content
• Mention: Using @username in a Tweet to tag
another Twitter user.
@kkokoska

5. Tweet Speak
• DM: Direct Message. You can only send to folks who
follow you.
• Hashtag (#): Used before relevant keywords to
categorize Tweets so they show more easily in a Twitter
search.
• Tiny URLs: URLs created by using a shortener. (bit.ly)
• RT: Retweet
• HT: Hat tip
• OH: Overheard
@kkokoska

6. Other Cool Stuff
• Privacy Settings
• Location tagging
• Pictures
• Trending Topics
• Finding people on Twitter
@kkokoska

7. Twitter Search
• Basic vs. Advanced
• Twitter Search Operators
“happy hour” near:’houston’
happy hour
near:’houston’ within:20mi
“happy hour”
happy since: 2011-5-5
happy OR hour
happy until: 2011-5-5
happy –hour
#happyhour happy –hour 
from:kkokoska happy 
happy ?
to:kkokoska
@kkokoska happy filter:links
happy source:twitterfeed
@kkokoska

8. DO!
• Keep your handle obvious – Avoid underscores
and numbers
• Listen first! Then engage.
• Be interesting
• Promote your blog, events, causes – 3 to 1 rule
• Promote/Quote others
• Tell people you’re on Twitter.
@kkokoska

9. How Does Your Page Stack Up?
• Squint Test
-Obvious handle and image
-Link back to website
-Background matches branding
-@replies, links, #s in content
-Shortened links
• Bonus Points
-Custom background
-Who’s Tweeting?
@kkokoska

10. DON’T!
• Overtweet
• Tweet about the mundane.
• Totally automate
• Be a bully
• Hide associations
• Be self-involved
@kkokoska

11. You’re Doing it Right!
@Mortons @Zappos
Surprises networked fan at airport with a Culture and customer service
full meal.
@ComcastCares
@CoffeeGroundz Online Customer Service
Local Houston coffee house connect
online and attributes 50% increase in
business to Twitter.
@kkokoska

12. Twitter Tools
• Hootsuite
• Sprout Social
• Twitterfeed – Autotweets from RSS Feed
• Tweetdeck – Desktop tool
• Tweetgrid – Creates search dashboard
• Tweetchat – Manage community chats
• Twit pic – Post photos
@kkokoska

13. Thank You!
Katrina (Scooter) Kokoska
@kkokoska
kkokoska@schipul.com