Don’t know your Tweetdeck from your Hootsuite? Confused about @signs, #Hashtags and Direct Messages? It’s time to get back to basics.
First things First, Twitter is a great tool to use as part of any social media strategy but it’s sometimes difficult to get started with all the twitter jargon, twitter slang and twitter acronyms flying about.
The great thing about Twitter is that it allows you to carry out actions quickly by using some simple shorthand codes. These are particularly useful if you would like to maximise your time or use your mobile phone to tweet.
So let’s get started, here are some basic codes you should know if you want to get off to a good start with twitter.
The @ Sign
The @symbol is typically used when you want to reference another twitter user or if you want to say something directly to someone. Unlike many of the other shorthand codes used on Twitter there should be no space between the @sign and a username e.g.
@bethhewitt80 thanks for the great tips 
When using the @sign, twitter will ensure that the message shows up in their mentions tab.
D = Direct Message
If you want to send a message to someone but don’t want anyone else to see it, or perhaps it just isn’t relevant to anyone else. You can send a person a direct message e.g.
D bethhewitt80 do you know you have two odd shoes on today?
A word of advice! Never send anything highly personal or sensitive in a direct message. Whilst you might intend for it to go only to the specific user, Twitter is so fast paced that a tiny omission or spelling mistake could mean your secret message gets broadcast to all of your followers OOPS!
You might also want to find out if someone checks their direct messages regularly. Personally I tend to not spend too much time in my direct message inbox. If you want someone urgently try traditional e-mail or even picking up the phone!
It is however, possible that some people have direct messages sent straight to their mobile phones. This is a great tool for people always on the move.
RT = Retweet
If you read a tweet that you think your followers will also like you can Retweet it to your followers. To do this all you have to do is add RT to the start of the message. E.g.
RT @bethhewitt80 thanks for the great tips
# = Hashtags
A hashtag is a way to delineate a keyword so that other users can easily see discussion, topic and events relating to that keyword.
Some common hashtag keywords include: #followfriday, #tribetuesday #whois #wishlist
Hashtags make it easier to filter tweets by specific topic. You can also follow specific hashtags inside tweetdeck so that you can see what other people are saying about a particular #hashtag.
Hashtags although quite quirky are extremely useful and allow you to measure the performance of certain events, topics and trends. They are also easy for others to search, find and share.
You can easily search tweets and conversations about your hashtag by going to www.search.twitter.com Sometimes hashtags become so popular that they will stick around whilst others are temporary and denote to a particular event.
I hope you found this post useful. More twitter tutorials coming soon…from how to set up your twitter account, twitter dos and don’ts and must have twitter tools. I am always looking for suggestions on future posts and videos so please leave your suggestions below. Not just Twitter but anything social media.
Did you know that you can drive even my traffic to your blog by personally branding your tweets? Find Out More ====> Here
Yours in Success,
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
August 14th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Awesome guide Beth. This will help anyone who is new to Twitter find their way around and understand what is going on.
Thank you for sharing this awesome guide. It’s going to help quite a few people!
~ Michael Novak
Michael Novak´s last [type] ..The Best Industry to Learn Leadership
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August 15th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Hi Beth, Great information and a layout that is easy to follow. Thanks for shedding some light on all the Twitter confusion. Many of my clients have a real challenge understanding just why they would want to use Twitter. You explain it well here!
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August 15th, 2010 at 5:42 am
Hey Beth
Some great reminders here! I do use twitter but I have alot to learn still about it. I did here something about Hash Tags and being careful using them, something about the over usage of them is not good. Do you know anything about that. I don’t add #hashtags in because I didn’t know enough about them to use them!
thanks
Nat
Nat @Successful Entrepreneurs´s last [type] ..My Top 10 Tips On Moving Yourself Forward
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August 15th, 2010 at 5:59 am
Thanks Beth!
I never used the # button. Now I know what it means. Woopie. I’m going back to twitter. I have been ignoring it, but now you made me Twitter savvy. Thanks
Donna
Donna Merrill´s last [type] ..My Secret Dream… Revealed
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August 15th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Thanks for the insight. Twitter can be overwhelming to say the least but once you get the hang of it, it’s cool. Rock on!
Keysha Bass´s last [type] ..How do I Create an Eye Popping Facebook Profile Picture
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August 15th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Ohhh the tribetuesday hash tag is new to me. Sounds like a good one. Off to Twitter search it!
Peace,
Lauren
Lauren Lionheart´s last [type] ..Can Blogging About Cupcakes Earn a Full Time Income
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August 17th, 2010 at 3:08 am
Beth,
Thanks for sharing all that great info Beth. We use Twitter a lot as it’s quick, easy and a cool connector. It’s also great when specific groups want to get together and chat.
Thanks,
~ Pat and Lorna
http://TheCoolestCouple.com
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August 17th, 2010 at 4:48 am
I usually get confused about all this signs on twitter. Thanks for sharing this. I got to understand the value of the hashtag, didn’t really know what it meant. Thanks very much for this article
Loic´s last [type] ..Insulated dog house- What you need to know before you get one
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August 17th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Thank you, Beth, for explaining the symbols in tweet messages.
Very useful information.
Have a fantastic week.
Yorinda
Yorinda´s last [type] ..Active Listening
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August 17th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Beth, old dog learning new tricks here. Thanks Beth. The hash tags I never really understood but thanks to you I might sound a little smarter than yesterday.
Nelson´s last [type] ..“The Black Whip”
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August 17th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Thanks Beth I have not spent much time on Twitter in the past since I tend to use Facebook but that’s fantastic information. I had no idea how to use.
Thanks again,
Michael
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August 17th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Excellent blog post I would like to suggest a video on and a post on the name of the facebook plug for wordpress as I would like to add the facebook I like it tool to my own blog as well as the highly effective tool bar. I’ve noticed a lot of people don’t realize how powerful of a social media blogging is and the facebook add on makes it even more powerful as well as the tool bar you have on your blog here I’m sure a lot of people would like to know how to still that as well as myself.
Sincerely
Monty Ferbert
http://richmousepromotions.com
http://valuesdeluxe.com/hotmusic.html
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August 17th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Beth
This post came at just the right time for me. I have to confess I don’t care to much for Twitter. Out of all social media it has to be the last on my list.
I find it to hard to keep up and communicate. I will be watching your post to learn more about Twitter.
Debby Beachy
db
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I remember feeling exactly the same way…once you get to grips with all free tools to make keeping up with twitter a lot easier you will wonder how you ever lived without it. Thanks for you comments
Beth x
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August 17th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Hi Beth, good stuff.
Twitter is one that I just don’t fully grasp yet. Funny because it’s so simple but yet at the same time seems to be more difficult to figure out how to utilize and get the most from it. My activity is too much of a one-way conversation and I need to work on that.
But this breakdown definitely helps and especially for someone new to twitter so very helpful. Looking forward to your future posts.
Thanks, Laura
Laura Paulson´s last [type] ..Create A WIN-WIN For Your Blog Commenters
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Hey Laura,
Twitter is a great way to gain that two way conversation. I see twitter like a party, where you have the conversations with strangers and then when you feel comfortable you can take them over to your favourite playground facebook and eventually back home to your blog.
Beth
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August 17th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Hi Beth, Thanks so much for the great Twitter tips. With all the different social networking sites around today it’s always nice to keep up with all the different jargon. Make it a great day! Joseph McDevitt
Joseph McDevitt´s last [type] ..HTML – Understanding The Basics
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August 18th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Hi Beth,
Thanks for this informative posting. I love and use Facebook, because I think it is easier to use. Although, my wife tells me Twitter is easier, I only use it when she is home. I have no idea what I’m doing without her.
I think it is great how you explained it. I’m not sure when I’ll be using symbols, but I will try Twitter without my wife.
Thanks again, Beth
~ Corneal
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Hey Corneal,
I love the thought of your wife holding your hand while you tweet. I am glad you found the post useful. Hope to share more with you soon.
Beth
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August 18th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Thanks for the information, Beth. It turns out that I didn’t know as much about Twitter as I thought I did! So I found your post very helpful.
MaryKay
MaryKay Edelen´s last [type] ..How To Stop Going Broke In MLM – Free Download
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Mary Kay, is a mind-field when you first start…Hoping to do more twitter tutorials soon, so keep posted.
Beth
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August 19th, 2010 at 5:43 am
I really needed this lesson in Twitter. I honestly had no idea how to send someone a direct message. I have been meaning to watch a tutorial or something on twitter because I don’t utilize it enough. Thanks for sharing this.
Nicole Rushin´s last [type] ..A Love Letter to My Reader
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August 19th, 2010 at 7:41 am
awesome! A lot of help beth.
Kareem Williams´s last [type] ..I am this weeks featured MLM mastermind tribe member
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Thanks Kareem,
So glad it helped.
Beth
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August 21st, 2010 at 12:15 am
Beth,
Nice job explaining all the different twitter terms
I know when i first got onto Twitter it truly was a brand new language for me with all the different symbols, tags, etc.. Enjoy your Weekend!
Chris Bernardo´s last [type] ..How to get 2 into your Business-Super Fast!
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August 21st, 2010 at 4:58 am
Hey Beth,
Thanks for the post. I really enjoy reading instructional posts. Your break down of the different Twitter functions was very good. Keep up the good work. I can’t wait to read your next post.
~ Tim
Tim Colletti´s last [type] ..Facebook Tip – Organizing Your Facebook Friends
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August 21st, 2010 at 6:26 am
Hi Beth,
I wish I had had this tremendous resource when I first started Twitter! This is great info. I started on Twitter first and I still love it! There are really wonderful people and so much fantastic info!
It is also a quick, easy way to get noticed by and communicate with marketing gurus!
Thanks for adding this solid value to our TSA community!
Mentor Mama
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August 22nd, 2010 at 8:00 am
Hi Beth! thanks for the twitter wiki..:) now I’m more familiar with some twitter terms that confused me a lot.
Keith Goeringer´s last [type] ..Productivity in Information Overload
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:47 pm
So glad it helped Keith.
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August 29th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Hey Beth,
Thanks for the Twitter overview. I really enjoy using hootsuite. It is the best tool I have found for twitter and some other social networks along with ping.fm and rss integration are very helpful for automation.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
Edward´s last [type] ..Share Your DREAM Friday – with Special Guest Dreamer Dr Adam Sheck
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November 7th, 2010 at 1:00 am
Cool stuff Beth! Now I don’t have to keep wondering about those hashtags and what they mean.
Great info…thanks for posting! Keep up the great work you do Beth!
Smiles from Guam,
Jaclyn
Jaclyn´s last [type] ..7 Productivity Secrets For You!
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Thanks Jaclyn.
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November 13th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Beth, you’ve helped me greatly with your easy to understand explanations. I’ll be more comfortable now at the Twitter party.
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November 16th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
I know almost nothing about Twitter but I need to become literate fast because it seems like having a strong Twitter presence is becoming essential for any business. So thank you for writing this article!
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February 28th, 2011 at 1:35 am
Great post – was pretty stumped on “D” before I stumbled across this Have subscribed to your blog, many thanks.
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February 28th, 2011 at 1:36 am
Great post – was pretty stumped on “D” before I stumbled across this Have subscribed to your blog, many thanks.
(p.s. sorry if this was submitted twice, wasn’t sure if I submitted it first time round)
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August 2nd, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Hey Beth,
Thanks for the informative post. I am a Twitter noob, so this post has helped me considerably.
I look forward to reading some of your additional work.
Cheers,
Sherman
Sherman@what is leadership´s last [type] ..The Five Most Important Leadership Traits a Leader Should Have
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October 21st, 2011 at 7:58 am
This is indeed so helpful special for those who have been into Twitter, or any other social networking site. This helps us how use twitter more easily. You may also post more and post the link beth because I’m so excited how to learn more about it.
Tim Ryan@naples park homes´s last [type] ..Jim Cramer Optimistic on FL Real Estate
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October 25th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Great Twitter introduction, Beth. I know RTs, DMs, @mentions & hashtags were such a foreign language to me when I first started out on Twitter! But pretty easy to pick up once you become more active and see how other people use the platform.
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October 26th, 2011 at 3:29 am
Great reminders here. I’m not on Twitter that much because there are few that I really don’t understand on twitter but thanks for the information here.
Jeff
Jeffrey Sooey´s last [type] ..Keeping Emotional Score Is One of the Best Coaching Tips
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October 28th, 2011 at 7:30 am
Hi Beth,
Thanks for posting this useful information. These are great shortcuts to be used on twitter to make social media experience more impressive and to save time and space( Just 140 char..)
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
I agree!…Like automating tweets for a start.
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March 12th, 2012 at 1:03 am
Beth…This is a superb post for two reasons. For those who are newbies it is a great intro. for those of us who have been around a bit, it is a great refresher. So often, we get so hung up on Facebook that we forget the power of Twitter. Thanks for the reminder.
Martin Casper´s last [type] ..Are There Empowering Aspects of Being a “Bird Brain”?
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March 13th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
Thank you Beth for sharing this useful information! I can now put this in my toolbox to help me better communicate with my friends on twitter. The message you bring is right on time. Maybe we will encourage some older users to use social media more often. Once you are comfortable with how to use anything, period, you’ll be more apt to grab hold of it on a regular basis.
Thanks!
Steven Hennigan´s last [type] ..Why Tweet?
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