Twitter is ranked as one of the 50 most popular websites worldwide with an astounding monthly growth rate of 1382%

Twitter is a free micro-blogging tool that allows users to publish short messages (140 characters or less) through their computers and mobile phones. Since its creation in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, over 6 million people worldwide have ‘tweeted’ to date.

Through SMS, users can communicate with Twitter through five gateway numbers: short codes for the United States, Canada, India, New Zealand, and an Isle of Man-based number for international use. There is also a short code in the United Kingdom which is only accessible to those in the Vodafone network.

People who use Twitter write short messages, called Tweets, which they publish either publicly (for all Twitterers to see) or privately (for only certain Twitterers to see). Typically, users will sign up to follow other users whose Tweets they enjoy. For this reason, Twitter can be a great tool for networking, relationship building and promoting blogs.

Businesses also use Twitter to promote products and services and offer real time customer service. Twitter provides an excellent source of publicity and can be used effectively to source products and services and to get new customers from new markets. It’s simple, it’s social and it’s free.

Twitter has attracted many celebrity users who have utilized the service for publicity. American actor Ashton Kutcher is the most followed twitterer on the service and is the first user to reach the one million follower mark, beating CNN in a much publicized contest. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres and singer Britney Spears are second and third place in respective followers.

If you do not Tweet as yet, start your account at www.twitter.com. If ‘Going Green’ is on your life’s agenda start by following me on https://twitter.com/GoGreenae

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