Each week, thousands of internet users received e-mails and text messages from friends, family members or co-workers, asking to “follow" them on Twitter. But what is this website called Twitter? What is the purpose of Twitter? And how do people use Twitter?
How Twitter Works
Simply stated, Twitter is designed to keep family members, friends and co-workers in the know. Some describe Twitter as a mini-blog that's used to update "followers" who sign-up with this web-based messaging site. Twitter is at the forefront of the social networking movement, along with other social networking sites like Facebook.
Twitter members sign up for free on the Twitter website, where it takes just a few minutes to set up a profile and upload a photo. Once that’s complete, Twitter members can start sending out messages (also known as “twittering” or “tweeting”) to friends, family members and co-workers.
Twitter messages are intended to answer one basic question: “What are you doing?” and it takes just a few seconds to inform the people who have signed up to “follow” or track a particular Twitter member.
What Are Tweets? – How Twitter Messages Work
Twitter updates or “tweets” must be 140 typed characters or less. These messages can be typed online using a computer or remotely using a cell phone or PDA. And a “tweet” can be about nearly anything, from “I’m sulking,” to “I’m eating pancakes,” to “I’m running late for our lunch meeting.”
Many businesses and professionals use Twitter to send out updates to clients. Twitter is also popular among web writers, who Tweet their latest articles to followers.
Twitter “followers” – the people who receive “tweets” – can sign up independently, or new users can send out an invitation via e-mail. Twitter users can also import contact information from computer address books.
Twitter users can also pick and choose how they receive updates from the fellow Twitter members whom they’re following. Using Twitter’s simple, streamlined interface, users can choose to receive updates from certain people on certain devices.
So if a Twitter member doesn’t want to receive a friend’s updates on his/her cell phone, Twitter can accommodate that. Messages that aren’t sent to a Twitter member’s cell phone will remain available on that Twitter member's web page.
What is the Purpose of Twitter?
“With Twitter, you can stay hyper-connected to your friends and always know what they’re doing. Or, you can stop following them at any time. You can even set up quiet times on Twitter so you’re not interrupted. Twitter puts you in control and becomes a modern antidote to information overload,” the Twitter website touts.
Twitter’s messages are short, and easy to read, but they can be informative at the same time.
“I’m an advertising rep and I use Twitter to communicate with clients; I tell them if I’m running late for a meeting, or if there’s a new advertising rate available. And I can communicate with other advertising reps in the company, who are also out on the road,” explained Emily Thompson, who added, “I also use Twitter to tell my family if I’m running late and it saves times – you can send out one message instead of five separate messages that say the exact same thing.”
Twitter also points out that, “even basic updates are meaningful to family members, friends or colleagues – especially when they’re timely.” So a student who’s away at college can ease mom’s mind by keeping her in the know about those small daily activities, and it’s quicker than making a phone call or e-mail.
And what about Twitter members who don't wish to be notified for each and every update? "I keep my notifications off on the weekends and when I'm not at work," Thompson added. Twitter members can opt to keep their notifications off all the time or just occasionally and the messages will always be available for viewing on the person's Twitter member page.
How to Sign Up for Twitter
Most soon-to-be Twitter converts will find that Twitter’s website is easy-to-use and aesthetically pleasing in a simple, modern way. Sign-up is simple and it only takes a few minutes, and from there, Twitter members can start sending out invitations to “followers” or sign up to follow family members and friends who are existing Twitter members.
To learn more about Twitter, visit the official Twitter website and be sure to check out the helpful Twitter FAQ section's “knowledge books,” which feature detailed information on joining the Twitter movement.
Related Reading
Inquiring minds may also enjoy What is the Googlebot Spider?, along with How Do I Create My Own Website and What is an RSS Feed?
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
