Internet Business 101: How to decode the symbols in tweets (Twitter updates)

July 16, 11:24 AMInternet Business ExaminerPhyllis Zimbler Miller

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                    Twitter bird

A newcomer to Twitter asked me a very good question. He wanted to know if he needed a decoder ring for these three different ways he’d noticed some tweets start:

Some start with @
Some start with #
Some start with RT

Here’s the code decipher:

Those with @ are replying to or referring to a specific person. If someone were replying to something I’d tweeted, he/she could tweet: @ZimblerMiller I agree with you that @MillerMosaicLLC shares good WordPress.org info.

Those with # (called a hashtag) are referring to a specific topic. If someone were referring to the small business chats that take place 8-9 p.m. Eastern every Wednesday, the person might begin: #smallbizchat Starting in 10 minutes – please join us.

Those with RT are retweeting (RT) someone else’s tweet. Imagine I tweeted this:
Join the #smallbizchat starting right now.

A person retweeting me would tweet: RT @ZimblerMiller Join the #smallbizchat starting right now.

Now that you have the decoder ring, do share information and join in the conversation by using @, #, and RT in tweets.

And Twitter is one of the topics covered at www.WeTeachWebMarketing.com.

Check out the roundup of my Twitter advice articles on Examiner.com.

(c) 2009 Miller Mosaic, LLC

For more information, read these posts:

How do people actually use Twitter -- how does someone develop a following on it?

Internet marketing:  What's the strategy for following back on Twitter?

Twitter:  The microblogging platform that is deceptively simple