When I began my internship at Monsanto, I knew little about the social networking site Twitter and I was skeptical about the benefits of using it. After one month of using the site, I have come to appreciate its simplicity and value the opportunity to connect with people in agriculture around the world. Twitter has enabled me to network with everyone from a California dairy farmer, to state Farm Bureau presidents, to other ag interns and even agriculture and food activists. I invited Monsanto's resident Twitter expert to guest blog about how to use this phenomenal resource. I hope you all take the opportunity to explore Twitter -- it tears down walls between agriculture leaders, young and old, with unique interests and missions. It is also a great way to discover what is happening in the industry from moment to moment. Please comment on this post if you have any questions -- good luck getting started!
HOW TO USE TWITTER
By: The Monsanto Twitter Expert
Twitter is a site that was developed over 3 years ago as a way for friend to connect and notify each other of what they were doing. Via computer, blackberry or texting, friends could send updates to Twitter and other friends would be updated instantly through the same tools.
Since then, it has evolved into a site for millions of people to connect (most of who have not met in person before) and promote and update each other on news stories, life stories, or anything that they may find interesting. “Tweeps” (people who use twitter) have congregated and formed communities of individuals from all around the world who share in the same interests as them.
As a member of the Twitter community, you have your own profile page that houses your icon (usually a photo of yourself) and all twitter updates. Twitter also gives you the option of changing your background and personalizing the page to fit your own tastes. On a separate page, that comes up when you log in, you have a newsfeed of tweets(updates) that come from the people you choose to follow (another term for connecting).
Any update made on the site must be kept to 140 characters, so creativity is key! Aside from text updates, you can also provide photos and websites via TwitPic and URL shortening websites like bit.ly and tinyurl.
Twitter …
- Can be noisy, many different conversations going on
Since then, it has evolved into a site for millions of people to connect (most of who have not met in person before) and promote and update each other on news stories, life stories, or anything that they may find interesting. “Tweeps” (people who use twitter) have congregated and formed communities of individuals from all around the world who share in the same interests as them.
As a member of the Twitter community, you have your own profile page that houses your icon (usually a photo of yourself) and all twitter updates. Twitter also gives you the option of changing your background and personalizing the page to fit your own tastes. On a separate page, that comes up when you log in, you have a newsfeed of tweets(updates) that come from the people you choose to follow (another term for connecting).
Any update made on the site must be kept to 140 characters, so creativity is key! Aside from text updates, you can also provide photos and websites via TwitPic and URL shortening websites like bit.ly and tinyurl.
Twitter …
- Can be noisy, many different conversations going on
- Has very little substance and moves very quickly
- Depending on the amount of people you choose to follow, checking the site can be addicting!
Twitter is useful for…
Twitter is useful for…
- Finding like-minded individuals/groups
- Relationship building
- Building a personal or corporate brand
- Confirming current opinions/interests
- Finding out what people are talking about right now on a particular topic
Guidelines:
- Relationship building
- Building a personal or corporate brand
- Confirming current opinions/interests
- Finding out what people are talking about right now on a particular topic
Guidelines:
1) Anything you may tweet, while it can be deleted from your page, is not deleted from search results or different twitter apps such as Tweetdeck. Think twice before you make any statements you think may be controversial.
2) Put up a picture, it makes your account seem more professional and humanizes you as well.
3) Be respectful of others. If someone misconstrues your tone, they may report you to Twitter and you may be kicked off.
4) Engage with other people! @replying and retweeting builds relationships and your following.
Quick Tips:
Quick Tips:
How can I personalize my page?
Go to the settings tab on the top right corner. There you can add a quick bio about yourself, where you are located, etc. You can also change your background and add a picture icon instead of having the boring blue and brown one! Having a unique icon also gives you more credibility and allows people to feel like they can relate to you.
Go to the settings tab on the top right corner. There you can add a quick bio about yourself, where you are located, etc. You can also change your background and add a picture icon instead of having the boring blue and brown one! Having a unique icon also gives you more credibility and allows people to feel like they can relate to you.
What does it mean when someone tweets and has the @symbol and someone’s name?
That’s an @reply or mention. This shows that the twitter user responded to what someone said, or is addressing them. You can check to see if anyone @reply’ed you by going to the right hand column and clicking the @ tab right under home.
That’s an @reply or mention. This shows that the twitter user responded to what someone said, or is addressing them. You can check to see if anyone @reply’ed you by going to the right hand column and clicking the @ tab right under home.
What does RT @ (username) mean?
This is called a re-tweet, which is a way to forward on what the person said. You can simply cut and paste what someone else said to forward on to your readers.
This is called a re-tweet, which is a way to forward on what the person said. You can simply cut and paste what someone else said to forward on to your readers.
What is a tiny url?
These are shortened web addresses that people will tweet in lieu of posting a whole web address, due to the nature of twitter and lack of characters you can use. This website gives you space and freedom to write what you want and still put a website address in. The same goes for urls such as “bit.ly”. http://www.tinyurl.com/
With Twitter, it is important to have fun, meet new people, and share what you are passionate about.
These are shortened web addresses that people will tweet in lieu of posting a whole web address, due to the nature of twitter and lack of characters you can use. This website gives you space and freedom to write what you want and still put a website address in. The same goes for urls such as “bit.ly”. http://www.tinyurl.com/
With Twitter, it is important to have fun, meet new people, and share what you are passionate about.
3 comments:
Google search returned a twitter account for you, but the site is not active yet. I am new to twitter, so what am I doing wrong? Mom
I recently changed my Twitter account from APB_Monsanto to redefining_ag. The APB_Monsanto account you came to first on google is now inactive, the redefining_ag account works. The new account makes more sense in the long run and our social media expert recommended I change it sooner than later to avoid confusion. I believe you found me ok since I received an email that you are following me now!
For all you new Tweeters, TweetDeck is a fantastic application. Go to the very bottom of your Twitter page and click on the Apps link. Scroll down and download TweetDeck. This app allows you to see what your followers are saying and keep track of preferred search columns. For example, if you search agriculture, a column in your TweetDeck will show any tweets related to agriculture. This is a great way to find people to follow with similar interests to you.
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