Twitter Overview for

Dental Health Professionals

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Claudia A. Serna PhD, MPH, RDH, BDS

This content is part of a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYhQALSmspk&feature=youtu.be developed by AAPHD.org

Twitter 101 Overview

Twitter -Definition

Common terminology used on Twitter

How to sign up for Twitter

How to post a Tweet

Overview of a Twitter account

Using Twitter during a conference @claudiaaserna

Twitter -Definition

Twitter is a service to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick frequent messages.

People write short updates, often called "tweets", of 140 characters or fewer.

These messages are posted to your timeline, so other people can see them.

These short, easy to read, messages make Twitter a powerful, real-time way of communicating.

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Common terminology used on Twitter

Tweet: Is a short message (140 characters or fewer) posted on Twitter. The message may include text, keywords, mentions of specific users, links to websites, images or videos.

Followers: Any individual /organization /association that connects you.

Following: Individuals /organizations /associations that you’ve selected to connect with.

Retweet (RT): Is a re-posting of someone else's Tweet.

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Common terminology used on Twitter

Reply: A response to another user's Tweet that begins with the @username of the person you're replying to.

@username: Is how you're identified on Twitter e.g., @AAPHDnews

Favorite: Indicates that you liked a specific Tweet.

List: Is a group that you form with particular Twitter users. Lists can be by topic or interest, e.g., public health

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Hashtag (#)

Is a word or phrase preceded by a hash or pound sign (#). It is used to identify messages on a specific topic.

Hashtags can be used in a single word such as #dental, combining two words such as #oralhealth or even in a sentence such as #brushyourteeth.

Example of hashtags on the dental field: #fluoridation; #dentalhealth; #gumdisease; #dentalcare; #periodontitis; #publichealth; #waterfluoridation

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Twitter chat

It is similar to a public forum and focused on a particular topic.

A single #hashtag is used to allow others to follow the conversation and participate.

Over the course of the chat a set of questions are presented and participants respond.

E.g., the twitter chat about the effects of smoking on oral health used the hashtag #CDCTips

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Twitter storm

Is a sudden spike in activity surrounding a certain topic on Twitter.

It is often started by a single person who sends followers a message often related to breaking news or a controversial debate.

Using a certain hashtag, tweets quickly spread as people are notified of the message and then reuse the hashtag with subsequent retweets and tweets.

E.g., the Medicaid and CHIP twitter storm used the hashtag #ThinkTeeth.

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How to Sign Up For Twitter

Go to www.twitter.com Go to join twitter today Enter your full name Enter your email address Create a password Choose your username (Your

username can contain up to 15 characters and starts with @)

Click create my account

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Add Profile Details

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Edit Profile

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Once your account has been created, look for the search box and type the name of an organization, dental school, institution or a person.

Once you are in the organization, institution or person Twitter page, click on follow.

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How to post a Tweet

Click compose new Tweet button in the top navigation bar.

Make sure the update is less than 140 characters.

Click the Tweet button to post the Tweet to your profile.

You will immediately see your Tweet in the timeline on your homepage

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@AAPHDnews

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Overview of a Twitter Account

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Twitter is about “the moment”, so if something is interesting, timely, and relevant, post it as it is happening.

Retweet a message (tweet) if you find it interesting Reply to a Tweet Favorite a Tweet Share pictures and videos Share comments

Using Twitter During a Conference

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References

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). The Health Communicator’s Social Media Toolkit. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/socialmedia/tools/guidelines/

Getting started with Twitter Available athttps://support.twitter.com/articles/215585-getting-started-with-twitter# Accessed on June, 2014.

Schaefer, M. W. (2012). The Tao of Twitter.@claudiaaserna