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How to Twitter: One Writer's Experience

by Terrence O'Brien on March 9, 2009 at 05:30 PM

Wall Street Journal Reporter Gets Familiar with Twitter

Another day, another news outlet hops on the Twitter bandwagon. Wall Street Journal reporter Julia Angwin is the latest in the horde of mainstream media personalities and news journalists to write about the micro-blogging, social networking service.

Angwin takes a more personal approach to the write up than other articles, avoiding some of the broader "this-is-Twitter-isn't-it-cool"-isms that most other recent reports have been focusing on. She chronicles her own experiences with the service and how she's learned to use it.

Do you use Twitter?
Yes1724 (6.0%)
No9922 (34.4%)
I don't even know what Twitter is.17198 (59.6%)


Angwin admits, like many, that she didn't quite understand the service when she first joined. But after getting acquainted with Twitter by checking out other users on the site, she was hooked. Her biggest challenge was gathering followers, which she quickly realized was as simple as starting to Tweet. While posting thoughts worked to build a base of followers, she found that offering commentary and opinion drew far more attention. So instead of simply saying "eating strawberries during a snowstorm," she tacked on, "not carbon efficient but lovely."
She also suggests sharing links, and getting your current followers to re-Tweet your posts... which is much easier said than done. In the past, we've covered advice for building a follower base from Digg founder Kevin Rose. One of the simplest ways to build followers is to simply post links to your account everywhere you can. [From: Wall Street Journal]

Celebrities on Twitter

    Recently, media personalities have taken to celebrity Twitterers like fat kids to the neighborhood ice cream truck. But don't be fooled, dear readers. We here at Switched are the fattest on the block. So, without further ado, we present to you the most ridiculous, significant, misspelled and/or out-of-context tweets by the most recognizable folks we could find. Enjoy.

    Shaquille O'Neal
    "I'm goin to the alamo tomorro to get one of those daniel boone squirrel tail hats, I'm n san antonio, in case u didn't kno were the alamo is"

    Getty

    Tina Fey
    "I don't know why I even bother chewing corn anymore."

    Getty

    Ashton Kutcher
    "There's nothing cool about being a pimp. Pimp = Slave Owner"

    Getty

    Britney Spears
    "Britney went to Jerry's Deli last night for after shopping at Target. She had a black and white milkshake with dinner. Lauren"

    Getty

    John Tesh
    "JT is shopping with women. I need a guy film."

    Getty

    Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz
    "When I'm asleep on the inside only you get my acid washed mind."

    Getty

    President Barack Obama
    "We just made history. All of this happened because you gave your time, talent and passion. All of this happened because of you. Thanks"

    Getty

    Senator John McCain
    "YEs!! I am twittering on my blackberry but not without a little help!"

    Getty

    John Cleese
    "Thinking about tooth decay..."

    Getty


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Tags: media, microblogging, social networking, SocialNetworking, top, twitter

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