How do I set up a Twitter account? Sometimes those of us who have been using Twitter for a while forget what it was like to start out and work out how to get going. So when Nate Moller of MollerMarketing (follow him at @MollerMarketing) asked if he could write a beginner post on how to set up a Twitter Account I thought it would definitely help those starting out.
What is Twitter?
“Are you in to bird watching or something?” asked one of my Facebook friends once as I made a Twitter post about my 1,000th “tweet”.
Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time.
Wikipedia describes it this way:
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service, that allows its users to send and read other users’ updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.
Before I get in to too much detail on why twitter is such a great part of online marketing, I want to teach you how to set up a twitter account.
Step 1: Go to http://twitter.com.
When you get to Twitter.com, you’ll see this page:
Step 2: Click the Join the conversation! Green Box
This page will appear:
Step 3: Create a Username.
If you are using this twitter account for brand management for your business, I’d recommend using your domain name minus the dot com/net/etc. (ie. http://twitter.com/mollermarketing) If it’s just for fun or personal use, use whatever you want as the username.
Add your email address, personal or business.
Type in the security code then click “I accept, Create my Account” (if you want, you can read the Terms of Service too).
Step 4: Start connecting!
As you can see by the picture below, Twitter asks for your email information. They state very clearly that they don’t use or share your information anywhere:
We don’t store your login, your password is submitted securely, and we don’t email without your permission.
I get plenty of spam in my email inbox, but I’ve never tracked it back to Twitter so don’t worry about giving up “personal info” (this is just my advice, not legal mumbo-jumbo so don’t blame me if you get your identity stolen or something 
) If you’re really concerned, set up a new Gmail email account that’s just for your twitter account (I feel like you’d be waisting lots of time doing this).
Here’s what the next page will look like:
What’s cool is that Twitter goes through all your email addresses to see who is already registered with a Twitter account. You can hand pick which of your new “Twitter Friends” you want to add.
There’s also an option where you can invite non-Twitter users to set up Twitter accounts - it looks like this:
If you plan to use Twitter for business and you already have a pretty big database of names and emails, this could be a great opportunity to show your clients you care by connecting with them in a new way. Twitter can be a great way to communicate and deal with Customer Care issues too!
Step 5: You’re now an official Twitter User!
Important questions to ask at this point: Do you need a Tweet Plan? What about setting goals for Twitter?
Darren Rowse from TwiTip.com has this to say:
Being successful at something is very hard if you don’t know what you want to achieve. It’s much easier to hit your target…. if you know what it is.
I really do think the sooner you have a purpose for Twitter, the better, but since this is a “Getting Started on Twitter” tutorial, just add some friends!
The easiest way to get started with Twitter is by interacting with people you already know - aka: use your email list and see who’s already using Twitter.
The best thing about this is, if you have friends that have a lot of experience “tweeting”, they can give you tips, tricks, and even connections that will help you grow your reputation on Twitter.
I’ve been using Twitter since April of 2007 and it’s been a fun ride so far. I’ve found that, the more direction and focus I have, the better use I get out of Twitter for business networking.
![[Post to Twitter]](http://www.twitip.com/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this-small.png)
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
That is very good explanation on how to setup Twitter Account.
I would also add: to use search.twitter.com and search for individual keywords they like and maybe even follow people in same interest. For example I like technology so imediatlly I followed Scobleizer, Leo Laporte, TechMeme, and so on….
Yet Another Great Post!
Thanks for continuing to post tips for beginners. The more you folks help out those just starting, the better it is for the entire community.
So far, there has been a nice mix of tips for all levels of Twitterers.
George
An interesting “feature” in setting up a Twitter account is that you do not need to provide a valid email, just a unique one. So you can register multiple Twitter IDs and not worry about lots of email. I use the stiennon+twitterID@gmail.com technique. Twitter thinks they are each unique but gmail ignores everything after the “+”.
The possibility for abuse is there as well. A prankster could create an TwitterID and use a real email address that does not belong to them. Then the owner would get DM alerts and new follower alerts sent to their email.
@LiveCrunch
Thanks for the addition about using the search function. I just taught a client yesterday about that - they were wondering how to connect with Fly Fishing people via Twitter. The best way I’ve seen is the Search function:
1) Find the Search Link at the bottom of the Twitter home page
2) The Twitter Search Page will appear in a new window or tab
2) Type in the keyword phrase you are interested in
3) A page will appear that has posts using that keyword phrase
4) Click on the Twitter People and start following them, messaging them, etc.
Hope this helps!
Are there any No No’s on Twitter?
This is the perfect remedial Twitter set-up article for the many, many mom entrepreneurs who ask about how to do it–thank you!!
I just found your blog last week and I have learned SO MUCH already. Your blog is amazing, amazing, amazing.
Thanks for the great content!!
Heather Allard, The Mogul Mom
http://www.TheMogulMom.blogspot.com
One of my friends signed up for Twitter last night, I tried to explain to her the marketing value that can come from using Twitter and she seemed to think I would out of my gourd.
Great explanation. Sometimes the simple things like this is what stops people from signing up in the first place. I will make sure to send anyone looking on how to get started with Twitter over to this post.
I have had so many people ask me recently to help them set up an account so this posting is really useful. My own instructions at the moment are for those who are just that little bit more advanced. I just think Twitter is a great way to learn how to cultivate a community.
A lot of people ask me how twitter is different from just using facebook’s status feature. Besides replying that you can interact with people that aren’t on facebook, how would you answer this?
As someone who is both fascinated and intimidated the idea of Twitter (in fact a lot of what I see online does that to this 84 year old) I wanted to say that I appreciate this post. I feel confident now that I can at least get myself going. I find that a lot of these new types of sites assume a basic level of knowledge, even in the signup process, that many people simply do not have. Thank you.
Jason,
Email me that question at mollermarketing (at) gmail.com - got some tips to tie in Facebook and Twitter.
There is always that one person that needs that visual aid to set-up. This is a nice aid, to get things started.
Cool. Thanks for the most blatantly obvious post ever.
Josh - obvious for many - but if you read the comments above you’ll find that some need a little help in getting going.
Haha, OK. I thought the “Get Started Now” sort of gave it away. My bad. Now that I know, I have decided to write a mini blog post in the comments section of this highly useful post.
Guess what, everyone? There’s this neat little service out there called Hotmail that is “new” and “hip” and hasn’t already been out there for almost three years (or eight or nine…) or anything. Here’s what you do if you want to join the party.
Go to hotmail.com.
Here’s the REAL trick… now, pay attention… you have to click the “Sign Up” button.
Whew! Hope you find this useful!
Hey Josh,
Thanks for the insightful comments. A few questions I have for you:
1. Why in the world are you still using a sub-domain for your blog?
Sub-domains aren’t bad at all if you’re just getting started blogging, but if you’ve been blogging for quite a while and are looking to build industry credibility and reputation, you gotta get hosted and get a real domain name. Andy Beal talks about it in this video. I guess some can get away with sub-domain blogs (Seth Godin and…Seth Godin is about the only one I can think of right now.)
2. What’s your strategy for using Twitter?
I see you have 32 followers and are only following 26 people. Guy Kawasaki recently said in a post titled How to Change the World: How to Use Twitter as a Twool:
I’ve worked with hundreds of clients from all over the world, a lot of them being brand new to the world of online marketing and social media. I’ve found that tutorials like this one, although very basic to masters like you, are really helpful to people just getting started. If you want more advanced tutorials about using social media tools like Twitter, try this one:
How I Got Shaq To Follow Me on Twitter
Best of luck to you! Happy Tweeting!
Josh - I understand that this post is obviously about something that you have a great grasp on - however TwiTip is a blog for people who have questions about and gaps in their knowledge of Twitter.
Some of these gaps in knowledge are more advanced - while some are at a very basic level. In my mind - having a simple question is just as valid as having a complex one.
All I can really say is that if you find this post too basic for you - then you’re more than welcome to not read it, to add to it in comments and make it more useful or to move on to something else to do with your time. Other upcoming posts on this blog will cover topics at a range of levels.
If you find all the posts on this blog too basic - you’ve every right to not read it. I’m not forcing any of this on anyone and by all means if you need something more advanced I’d encourage you to go find a blog that is at that level - or to start your own.
But bagging a post because you think its too basic when others in this comment thread obviously found it useful just makes you come across as snarky and snobbish. Sorry but I don’t really know how else to put it. We all start somewhere and someone who doesn’t understand something that you perceive to be basic doesn’t make them any less worthwhile than you.
Yes this post is basic - but at least Nate put a little time aside to write something that helped a few people with a need that they had. Did it change the word? Not in a spectacular way - but it may just have helped one person who needed a little encouragement - and that’s good enough for me.
to @stiennon: that’s really a helpful tip.
Wow, you people are taking this pretty seriously. Get a sense of humor!
I guess you don’t get sarcasm?
@Nate Moller … Umm… I’m pretty sure I don’t need a domain name for a personal, fun blog, and I’m not trying to market to anyone on Twitter. Just using it as a social networking tool with friends, not so much as an annoying marketer following more people than I can actually keep up with. If I ever start a business, perhaps that’ll change some.
Take it easy guys. Go get a beer and relax. I’m not hating on you. Just making an observation of my own. All of my friends would find this post pretty simplified too. It is very well-written and thorough, and I’m sure it is certainly great for the older folks out there. For us millenials… eh, not so much. I realize who it’s targeted toward, and it’s just not my generation. That’s perfectly OK. But seriously, take a chill pill, I was just poking a little fun at your article because it is something my grandmother would need… actually, she’d just call me.
Take it easy, y’all.
Thank totorial for kids, like me jajajja, than you a lot.
I need info on how to tie twitter and facebook. I do not have a facebook accout.
Great write up! I’m glad you guys made a tutorial like this because there really is a need for it. There are many people that have no idea about how to sign up to Twitter. That may seem ridiculous to some but it is a reality, and it’s not just “old” people. Keep doing what your doing. You are helping people and that’s all that matters.
This was great information. I have never Twittered before, but I was able to get my account set up and am sending Tweets. What a great way to communicate. Thank you for your help.
I don’t doubt twitter is the next big find,but I have One question how do I sign up and is username
fowed by ******@live.mail or what?
@Greg
User name is not followed by @live.mail or your email address. It could be something like @gregtone (although you wouldn’t need the @ sign).
Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, let me know!
@Cherly Glad to help! Look forward to connecting with you on Twitter - @mollermarketing