1. Setup Twitter Completely – This means you have put your 160 character bio, a current picture and a link to your website or Blog. I recommend a Blog post that you are particularly proud of for it being a resource to others. 

2. Be familiar with Twitter – Get in Twitter, click around, search for things, use hashtags, use the @ symbol with a username, respond to people, retweet others tweets, update your status, send messages to people, respond to direct messages others send to you, create lists, add people to your list, etc. Make a point to do a little bit of everything so you feel comfortable.   

3. Create relationships using Twitter – Make a list of people you would love to connect with, groups or associations that you would like to interact with, follow mentors, start conversations with people, setup virtual coffee dates with people you just meet to find out how you can refer business to each other, etc. The idea is to feel comfortable reaching out to someone and then nurturing the relationship by communication one on one.

4. Create a minimum of 15 tweets – If you are just starting, your first 15 tweets become your “first impression”. If you have already started with Twitter, you might want to review what your “first impression” looks like. You can always add more tweets to improve your first impression. Some things you can tweet about: Your favorite website and why, favorite quotes, funny things you know, exciting things you have done, intriguing questions, links to Blog posts (yours and others), etc. 

5. Setup Ping.fm & Connect Twitter. www.Ping.fm is one of my favorite tools. As the site states “Ping.fm is a free tool that makes updating your Social Networks a snap”. How it works is you sign up for a Ping.fm account, you then connect your Social Networking sites to Ping.fm, you can then make a 140 character post and then hit Ping it. All of your Networks will be updated at one time. This makes it easier to share your resources and interesting tidbits with others.  

6. Automate Twitter with www.FreeTwitterTip.com* another one of my favorite tools is this tool. The PRO version allows you to bulk upload what you want to post. Meaning you can upload multiple mini-posts (aka Tweets) at once. You can then schedule them. This means you don’t have to constantly update your Social Networks everyday with information. You can schedule it. This frees you to develop and nature the relationships you are creating.   

7. Be responsible and caring about Twitter. As a rule of thumb, you will want to check your account regularly to respond to your @ Replies (any time someone mentions you using your Username), and respond to your direct messages. In addition, make a point to be a giver and a connector. By doing this, you will win fans and not critics.