Twitter & Micro Blogging (New Media Monday)

In this issue of New Media Monday you will learn:

• What is Micro Bloging?
• What is it good for?
• How to use Twitter
• How to Follow me
• Who I Follow

What is Micro Bloging?

Have you ever asked someone how they knew something only to have them reply that a little bird told them? Well mico blogging is that little bird. It tweets in your ear about what your friends are doing. Micro blog posts are short 140 character posts that go out to your friends and family.

How to use Twitter

Watch the video on YouTube , Blip.tv or Vimeo .

What is Twitter good for?

• Keeping up with friends. This is micro blogging’s first use and it is great at that but twitter goes far beyond keeping up with friends.
• Asking Questions. Twitter is a great way to ask your followers questions. Renae Brumbaugh , a friend of mine, asked how to spell “Ornery” The best selling author Linda Carlblom twittered the answer.
• News. If an atrocity like September 11th were to happen again, God forbid, the news would hit twitter first. Twitter can integrate with your cellphone via SMS text message. So, at Virginia Tech, students could have used twitter to announce which room/hall the shooter was in while he was still shooting.
• Networking. Twitter can also be great for networking. Questions like “Does anyone know a good auto mechanic in the Ausin area?” can get fast & good answers.
• Learning to focus. Twitter only gives you 140 chracters and so it forces you to learn how hone your language.

How To Follow Thomas

1. Click on the bird to follow Thomas on twitter.
2. Signup for twitter (if you don’t have an account)
3. Click Follow ThomasUmstattd

Who I Follow

• Michael Hyatt An editor for Thomas Nelson the biggest Christian publisher.
• Max Lucado Famous Christian Author
  
• Renae Brumbaugh a fellow writer
• Complete list of who Thomas follows

How to Integrate Twitter

• You can integrate Twitter with Facebook in two ways:
  • See your friends updates and Update Twitter From Facebook
  • Update your Facebook status from Twitter
• You can use Twitter to update your Plaxo status as well.
• Twitter also Integrates with Friend Feed a site that collects all your blog posts, twits and other shared content.
• The iPhone App Twitterific lets you view twitter updates and update twitter for free on your iPhone.
• You can also have your most recent Tweets appear on your blog via the Wordpress Twitter Widget .

Helpful Twitter Links

• Twitter.com
• 12 Reasons to Start Using Twitter
• Some Twitterers Worth Following
• Twitter Tips Blog
• Twitter Etiquette

Do you use Twitter?

Leave me a comment with your Twitter Name so I can follow you. Sorry its not Monday. The death of my grandfather has messed up my blog posting schedule.