Have you been wondering “What is this Twitter? Why are
people twittering? Is twittering even a word?”

Have you heard the words
tweet us at on the news or TV? Are
you worried that if you ask someone to describe twittering
or tweeting that you will be labeled as a social misfit or
uncool? I have also made that assumption. The assumption
that just because someone is young and into twittering or
understand social media that I would be greeted with
laughter or at best a blank stare. This is a bad assumption
and once I stepped over that fear of being laughed at, I
actually got answers. And I want to share my discovery with
you.

I bet you are thinking yeah, yeah so what is Twitter,
Twittering, tweeting and all that jazz? Why do news agencies
use it and why do I see in on T.V.?

Twitter is a website that offers something called micro-
blogging. Micro-blogging (yeah, another word to learn) like
blogging, it allows people to text little updates and put
them immediately online, so that anyone can see them or by
only people in special social groups.

Tweets (the little text messages) can be submitted to
Twitter with a variety ways and devices from instant
messaging, email, cell phones or the web. Tweets are direct
text messages sent “at” a person by using the “@” symbol
before their username. This
tweet will not only communicate
with that single person but also show partial conversations
with other members of the group. Then, once you have an
account with Twitter and someone follows you, people can
direct message one another or “DM” through the Twitter
websites interface.

Twitters can friend or “follow” other Tweeple (people plus
tweeter) to receive Twits,
tweets or Twitters (it is a
personal preference what you call it). Adding or “following”
a person is similar to adding a friend on a social network
like Facebook.

Next question…why?
tweeting on Twitter attracts people
with similar likes and dislikes. It is all about letting
people know what you are up to and expressing yourself in
140 characters or less. It’s an immediate mini form of self
expression. Tweets range from single commentary on subjects
near and dear to the heart in little bursts and rants to
just describing mundane activities at any exact moment from
waking up and drinking a latte to news worthy events or even
deciding what shoes to wear.

Some tweets pin point
and use Twitter for monetary gain.
They post links to websites and blogs. Twitter allows a
business person to draw attention to blog entries, sale
coupons, happenings and events. Twitter allows a business
person to target people with similar backgrounds and buying
habits.

There are many uses for Twitter just to name a few, you can
ask for advice, heighten aware in a cause, offer help and
resources to others, promote products and/or services and
even promote breaking news. So, that is why you are hearing
Twitter everywhere, with so many uses and the fact it allow
self expression in immediate bursts…how could it be any
other way! Now, will you be tweeting soon?