Welcome to the first day “6 Day Twitter Traffic”.

Twitter is a micro-blogging ‘presence stream’ application that’s unique because it only allows you to post messages shorter than 140 characters in length!

Yet within this limitation, a whole community of over ONE MILLION users has evolved, making this one of the most vibrant, interactive and fascinating of social media channels available today.

Are you ready to explore the exciting waters of Twitter?

Let’s go.

Sign up for a Twitter account

Before you go further, read this report (it’s free) to see what your next steps will be:

Mastering Twitter: Click here to download the PDF

Enter your name, username, password, email address, and a picture.

The picture/photo is important. It’s your ‘avatar’ on Twitter. And on a social medium like Twitter, it matters that people in your network interact with you as a person or entity. Pick a photo, picture or logo that represents you or your business, brands it, and is eye-catching.

Start experimenting.

Post a few messages to Twitter. Since no one is ‘following’ you yet, don’t worry - if you goof up, no one will know!

Type a short message (less than 140 characters) into the box and click on the UPDATE button. Your post will appear below the box.

Try using a link to your website or blog. The link will be automatically converted into a short cloaked link, through the tinyurl.com service.

Here’s a sample you can try out - and at the same time, promote Congenital Heart Defects awareness:

“A Day For Hearts” is on February 14th. Please show your support. Help save a child’s heart. http://www.CHDinfo.com/chdaware/

or

You can help spread Congenital Heart Defects Awareness. See how you can help: http://www.chdinfo.com/chdaware/youcanhelp.htm

Then, check out the General Timeline by clicking on the link near the top of your Twitter homepage. You’ll see a cross-section of ALL Twitter users, with posts being refreshed frequently.

Some posts will be interesting, others cryptic, and most will be dull, drab, useless musings of individuals. You do NOT want to make many posts in that last category!

Click on stuff and explore the service.

There are many cool features. You’ll discover them by being curious. And for more background, check out the Big Juicy Twitter Guide written by my friend, Caroline Middlebrook - it’s here

The “CHD Social Media Challenge” is a project to spread Congenital Heart Defects awareness. There are 4 mini-tutorials and 1 firesale making up the ‘challenge’. You can join in and help too - click here to see how.