Everything I know, I learned on Twitter (video)

If you aren't on Twitter, you are missing out on the biggest news source on the Web. Recently at the RightOnline Conference, in Pittsburgh, your blogger met for the first time, many of her friends from Twitter.  

These people are some of the most in-tuned politically active people.  Their ranks include everything from the state government and congressional insiders, opinion makers, the unemployed, senior citizens, housewives, stay-at-home moms, bankers, and those from  every walk of life imaginable.  Yet they break stories faster than you can say "Fox News."  How do they do it?  They dedicate their time to the research necessary to further the conservative cause;.

Being on Twitter isn't really an option.  It's an absolute necessity.  It's a political junkie's dream!

The news services closely follow Twitter and then go out and confirm what they learned.  Only later does it make the news wires and television.  

Your blogger chooses to follow mostly conservatives, bloggers, and  fellow sport addicts.  

Contrary to what those on the left would have us believe, conservatives actually STARTED the online movement.  We have to look back, 10 years ago, to the beginning of the primary for the presidential race of 2000.  John McCain was running against George W. Bush, among others.  

McCain's staffers realized a need for something different, something new, and something bleeding edge.  It worked to some degree and he raised amazing amounts of money online, for the time.  However, four years later, the Democrat campaigns picked it up and claimed the idea as their own, as Democrats do.  The media, eating out of the liberal trough, began feeding the public a line about how far "advanced" the left was.

Conservative bloggers then came forth to balance the mistruths being spoken by the likes of Katie Couric and her ilk at NBC and MSNBC.  The same happened with Twitter.  If blogging is fast, Twitter is even faster.  Yes, we feel behind in 2008.  There seemed to be no stopping that train.  However, even liberals are regretting their mistakes.  The Democrats, especially the NC teachers union (aka NCAE) worked hard to elect Beverly Perdue, but she cut them off at the knees when budget time came around.  Conservative Tweeters around the state made sure this was well known.

Having a twitter account is no-longer optional  to keep up with the breaking news.  If you want to know what will be shown on your 24-hour news channel, in an hour, look for it on Twitter right now.  Chances are, some one in the know, has posted it on a blog and then  posted it to Twitter.

WHAT IS TWITTER?  

Twitter is similar to the blog you are reading now.   However, instead of unlimited space in which to make your point, Twitter limits you to 140 characters.  Abbreviations are common place. Hash-tags (#) are used to categorize your topic (#tcot is saying Top Conservatives On Twitter.  Your blogger is one.  Another hashtag might be #liberals to signify the post is about liberals.)  

How do you find people to read, or follow on Twitter? Simple.  

Find one person that you really like on Twitter.  They usually have lots of like-minded followers that they also follow and that follow them back.  Sort of like Facebook's friends, go through their list and follow those that  interest you.  Take a look at the person's most recent tweets.  If the person doesn't follow you back within about two weeks, go back and "unfollow" them and move on.  I try not to follow people who won't follow me.   

Other super celebs like cyclist Lance Armstrong, that I greatly admire, may only follow 17 people, but have millions of followers.  They are different and I can give them a pass, just to know what they have to say.

How do you get followers?  It's simple.  Tweet away.  Keep your comments pithy and interesting.  Be sure to comment back when you agree or have something to add.  If you agree with something your blogger just said, you'd write @katys  Your comment on public schools was right on.  etc...

Just be sure and remember that Twitter is a two-way street.  Re-tweet someone's post if you like it.  Talk back to them.  

Additionally, don't go on Twitter to try to sell your latest idea.  You'll be marked as a spammer and people will tell their friends to "unfollow" you.  It happens quickly.  There is nothing good tweeters hate more than a self-serving jerk who just wants to sell, sell, sell.

Further, beware of the person that calls themself a "social media expert".  This blogger thinks that sounds a bit like identifying yourself as a snake oil sales man!  People will laugh, right before they delete you.

HOW DO I GET ON TWITTER?

To set up an account on Twitter, click here.  

Then click, Sign Up Now.  

At the Sign Up page, enter the desired information and you can begin entering your Tweets.  

When tweeting,  to direct your tweets to a specific person (or tweeter), put the @ symbol in front of their twitter name, and type.   For example, if you want to send a direct message to your blogger, you'd enter @katys and include something like great blog.  I really liked what you had to say about xxx.

Next, the most important thing to make using Twitter easier is to download TweetDeck.  

TweetDeck does so much more than plain Twitter on the Web.  Tweetdeck lets you use multiple accounts.  For example, your blogger Tweets both for herself (@katys) and on behalf of the Wake County NC Republican Party (@WakeGOP) .   

KCC can use Tweet Deck to use one or both. TweetDeck can also have Twitter post to a Facebook account as well.  Just read and follow the directions and it's quite simple.  If you don't understand, shoot us an email though we are quick to point out that we will not act as technical support!  

This past weekend, your blogger was at the RightOnline Summit, where we discussed everything from issues, to web 101, to using blogging and Twitter as community building.  Twitter, at the moment, is THE big thing, and conservatives have made it happen.  In fact, there are more conservatives on Twitter than any other type of group.   it won't last forever, but while it lasts, we should stick with it.

Your blogger doesn't waste her time following liberals. It's too much trouble and the same old debate gets old and tiring. 

Give it a try.  For more information, KCC recommends the book "Twitter, Tips, Tricks, and Tweets" by Paul McFedries from Wiley Publishing.  

Your blogger has done so much more tweeting more than blogging these days.  But, to have a decent following on her blog, she has to tweet and vice versa.

Here is a video that describes Twitter, but not TweetDeck.  I highly recommend Tweetdeck and wouldn't Twitter without it, but this video offers easy-to-understand information.

Also check out these links: 10 Things to Know Before Using Twitter and  11 Things to Avoid When Using Twitter

Good luck!