A word of warning: Twitter is rather addictive. If you become obsessed like we are, that’s OK. You’re among friends. 
photo credit: michaelhyatt.com
How to Set up a Twitter Account
Step 1: Go to Twitter.com and sign up for an account.
Step 2: You will be prompted to fill out your full name. If you do not want to provide this information, don’t. You can insert whatever name you like, as long as it fits in the text box. This is the name that will appear on your profile page when people view your account.
Step 3: Fill in your desired username and password…and don’t forget them. You’ll use this information to log into your Twitter account going forward. Also, be thoughtful when you chose your Twitter ID. Ensure that it fits with your blog and is not too long. Remember, you only have 140 characters to work with when tweeting! For more advice, check out this article on how to choose a Twitter name.
Step 4: Create the account.
photo credit: technorati.com
How to Follow Your @friend
Twitter allows you to follow others, so that you can keep up to date on what they’re saying and join a conversation at any time. Following friends is very quick and easy to do.
Step 1: Visit the Twitter page you’re interested in. You’ll navigate to a webpage that looks something like this: http://twitter.com/#!/YOURFRIEND.
Step 2: Click the “follow” button. Once you do, you’ll start seeing your friend’s tweets on your Twitter homepage.
How to Participate in a Twitter Party
First off, you might be wondering what the heck a Twitter Party is. Easy! According to the Twitter Party Guide, a Twitter Party is…
…a fast and fun virtual party, hosted on the Twitter platform. Twitter parties are usually held in the evening, last about an hour, and are a wonderful way for people to connect and discuss a topic of choice.
There are a few different ways you can participate in a Twitter party. We suggest using either TweetChat or TweetGrid to follow along.
We’re big fans of TweetChat and recommend it, especially to those new to Twitter. TweetChat gives you the basic controls you need to participate in a Twitter party. You also don’t have to remember to type the hashtag while tweeting. In other words, if you participate in our Book Club conversation, you can tweet away without having to continually type #SITSBooks at the end of each tweet. Bonus!
You can utilize TweetChat in three easy steps. Simply sign in using your Twitter username and password, enter the hashtag you want to watch and respond to (for example, SITSBooks), and stand back as the conversation pops up on your screen.
A quick tip: If you’re having trouble following along, click the pause button. You also have the ability to change the speed of the updates.
There you have it! We hope you’ll consider joining us on Twitter!
More Twitter Related Articles
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If anyone has questions feel free and get a hold of Jenny or I or post them in the forum we will be happy to help you out!!
thank you for this information. i have been using twitter, but am a bit of a novice on it.
Twitter: theTsaritsa
says:
Sounds fun, I think I might join the party tomorrow!
I hope you do!
Let’s get this twitter party started!
Twitter is great for promoting your site/blog/brand etc. It’s silly too, but hey why not?
-V
I used to think twitter a complete waste of time, but it really is helpful in making connections and building relationships!
Bernice
Living the Balanced Life recently posted..Choosing the Important Stuff
You convinced me! I just signed up an account.
Great Sarah!! I will follow you!
Well, I’m gonna try it. I’m all thumbs when it comes to Twitter but we’ll just see. Now, the Twitter Party will also show up on my computer screen; right? Typing should be easier. Thanks for the tips.
@SolarChief
I would try using something like tweetdeck or tweetchat to follow the party. Tweet Chat I think is the easiest for someone new to twitter it automatically adds your hashtag to your tweet so it shows up in the party.
Pepper recently posted..Count Down to my First Appointment
Always up for a twitter tutorial. Thanks.
What a great article! Thanks!
Pink Martinis and Pearls recently posted..Vera Bradley GIVE-AWAY Everyday!
I read http://tweetchat.com/ and
http://twitter.pbworks.com/w/page/1779812/Hashtags
and I am still confused as to what a hash tag is. If you type in a hashtag (ie “comment hour”) in the search engine on twitter, will the results bring up everything anyone has tweeted with the word #commenthour at the end of their tweet? Is my question even making any sense?
Oh, man! Thank you for posting this education post!!! I have struggled with twitter for a LONG time!!!
-CK
Twitter can be really addictive! So be careful you could be lost in the twitterverse for hours! I set time limits so I don’t “twitter” away the day. There are a lot of good sites for info. I’d suggest you look into a twiter platform like tweetdeck or hootesuite. It makes it a little easier and not as overwhelming.
see you there!
@paperflora2
Yes, that’s exactly how it works. The hashtag makes it so it’s very easy to find everyone discussing the same topic. For example, last night if you would have searched for #bl11 you would have found a lot of people discussing Biggest Loser, Season 11. It just makes it so everyone, regardless of if they follow you or friend you or even know you can see what is being said about the topic at hand.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for the tutorial! Even though I”m on twitter, I didn’t know you could use a comma and control the speed of the feed, and pause.
No WONDeR I leave feeling like I”ve spent the whole night out at a loud bar.
Thank you!
Twitter: decondemand
says:
I can’t be there, but sounds like fun.
Twitter: AccidentalDesig
says:
Still confused, but my telephone has a crank. Not sure I am ready for something else to check on.
thank you so much for the tutorial. Signed up with twitter long time ago but very new to tweet party.So yeah, this post really help me =)
Sounds like fun! Luv to meet new friend & omments !
Cindi @ Moomettes Magnificents recently posted..How to Manage Twitter and Social Media Accounts Using HootSuite- Tutorial Guide
Thanks for the tips! I had no idea Twitter Parties existed. Hooray
xo
~M
http://www.psychandthesinglegirl.com
Twitter: TimeCrafted
says:
Last year I was determined to not sign up for Twitter. I didn’t want it, didn’t have an interest in it and I kept telling myself, “No!”
And then a friend (who is now a fellow SITSta!!) said she would be documenting her transplant on Twitter this summer and so I HAD to sign up. I was still grumbly about it too.
And now?? I {HEART} Twitter!!! I have connected with so many great peeps, found oodles of resources, and yes, have become addicted to that chirpy tweeting site!
Come tweet!! You’ll love it! :>
P.S. If you follow me, tweet me, so that I know you’re a SITSta and I’ll make sure to follow you right back! :>
Karen @ Time Crafted recently posted..Bethennys Mock-A-Mole
Twitter: greenearthbazar
says:
Very cool! Last week was a lot of fun.
Michelle recently posted..Peaceful Wednesday – Earth Song
Twitter: tabithablue
says:
Ok, sounds like fun!! When’s the next one, because I’m pretty sure I missed this one…
Tabitha Blue / Fresh Mommy Blog recently posted..Kids- Uncensored
Thanks for this! especially the how to attend a Twitter Party…I was lost!
Teresha@ Marlie and Me recently posted..Things Im Loving This Thursday
Twitter: ziggy1962
says:
I tweet all the time, but I logged into my twitter, but never saw any tweets concerning the comment hour. I am on central standard time, so maybe I was too early or too late
Twitter: lifeastophsmama
says:
This was really helpful! I participated in the last party, but was afraid I wasn’t active enough; next time I’ll be better prepared!
gin recently posted..How to Throw A One Year Olds Birthday Party
I just signed up for twitter! Hurray…now I am off to make a page for my blog on FB…thanks for all the tips!!
Nikki recently posted..Homemade Laundry Detergent
I finally gave in and started tweeting- still learning but it really is fun! still need to learn more about using it to drive more people to my blog-
thanks for the great tips- happy to be a SITsta!
I {love} twitter – a little too much i think! lol
Shawntele recently posted..The Bible in 90 Days ~ Finished?
Twitter: allierambles
says:
I’ve been using Twitter mostly for business for almost a year and I can say it is the most fun way to get traffic back to your site.
When I signed up I was lost but you get the hang of it pretty fast. At first I mostly tweeted my posts and put a few personal updates there. Now, I still use it that way, but I also use it as a main way to communicate with some of my favorite online friends.
Twitter is fun and I never feel like I’m working when I’m on it. Bonus!!
Thanks for the primer. I am going to have “Twitter Week” on my blog starting Sept 4 or 5 and I will be sure to include this post in my post about basics.
~Allie
Allie | Ramblings of a WAHM recently posted..Crock Pot Blogging: Set It and Forget It, My Way of Automating
Twitter: workfromhomeme
says:
I just joined Twitter recently. This is a great post! I attended my first Twitter Party last week. I used TweetGrid but next time I am going to try TweetChat. I am now a Twitter Addict!!
Twitter: PopSparkleShine
says:
Much needed information, thank you! I’ve honestly had Twitter for a long time but really don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it exactly. Glad I read this!
http://www.popsparkleandshineclub.com
Laurali Star recently posted..How to Glitterize Your Hair
A very informative article. Thank you
Thanks for the useful information.
I signed up for twitter awhile back but still a little lost…
I will dedicate some time to “getting to know it” and hope to not get addicted…
Gina recently posted..Morning Ritual
Twitter: Themomcafe
says:
I am still pretty new to twitter too- so glad for this information!!
Chris Carter recently posted..You’re Doing Something Right