Twitter is a "new" phase we are all going through and there are a few things you need to know as you "tweet" with your "tweeple". It was introduced in 2006, but really took off early this year. Twitter has introduced a whole new lingo in our already text-shortened world. Many "tweeps" are confused about what to write, who to follow, whether to reply or direct message, etc.

First, it's been noted that over half of the people who begin using Twitter have quit within the first month. It is a micro-blogging service. For small and large business owners, it can be a boon to business. (Our sales are up, so that's a good thing.) I'm going to keep right on tweeting away about our items, our sales, our blog, and anything else that will bring people to our site(s).

On the flip side, if you are looking for a place to instant message friends, I would suggest downloading Windows Live, AOL Instant Messenger or Yahoo Messenger. You'd do better to chat with the "buds" on one of those venues. For business people, Twitter involves more than just talking about your cat, the weather and how grandma is doing today.

Business owners and others who are trying to seriously connect with clients or potential customers need to realize that Twitter is there to increase your visibility. You want people to follow you, but you have to have something good for them to follow....

As I said in one previous blog post, Twitter is not going to help you sell if your product is bad or your website needs a re-write. Revamp your web pages, check your spelling, take better photos, write about useful things on your blog (or at least be humorous!) and you'll pull in the followers. After just a few weeks, I'm already over 200!

As far as staying organized on Twitter, download Tweetdeck. It will seriously help you stay on top of your important tweets, as well as shortening those pesky long url's. Also, if you have something personal to say to one of your "tweeple," DIRECT MESSAGE them instead of replying to their post. If someone were to read your tweets only, they'd get lost in confusing, one-sided conversations like "@GlassEyes that's so funny!" What is so funny? Who is @GlassEyes?

You can also use a feature called Twitpic (also usable from Tweetdeck, very easy) to add photos with tinyURL's to your tweets. You can show pics of your items for sale, your latest handmade concoction, your dog, your kids, etc.

Twitter will require more time than Facebook or LinkedIn, but it's well worth the effort. Keep your tweets to business, interject some humor, say something useful and give them plenty to look at and talk about. You only have 140 characters in which to do all this, but with any luck you'll do fine. You'll find plenty of followers. Just keep tweeting away and don't give up!