Special Olympics Project UNIFY® is excited to share that we are on Twitter (@SOProjectUNIFY)! We value the way social media can help promote education, ignite motivation and generate activation, as we co-create socially inclusive communities. Check out our newest resource, with tips and ideas on how to utilize Twitter!

1. Special Olympics Project UNIFY® – Social
Media
Introduction
Special Olympics Project UNIFY® is excited to share that we are on Twitter (www.twitter.com/SOProjectUNIFY)! We
value the way Social Media can help promote education, ignite motivation and generate activation, as we co-create
socially inclusive communities. We recently hosted a youth-created and youth-led Twitter Chat, focused on Inclusive
Youth Leadership (http://storify.com/clementc27/iyl-chat).
We hope you consider joining the Twitter Community and engage with us! This is a resource on how to effectively
use Twitter.
An Overview of Twitter
What is Twitter?
• Twitter is a social media platform, where one can share thoughts and ask questions,
utilizing the same Hashtag, which is no longer than 140-characters in length.
Who can Join?
• Anyone can join! Youth Leaders, Educators, Parents, Project UNIFY State Programs and
many organizations are active on Twitter.
When can I Share?
• You can tweet at any time.
Where do I Join?
• You need to sign-up for a Twitter Account and ensure that your account is marked as
Public.
Why should I Engage?
• Twitter provides you the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share your
newest resources and engage in discussions.
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2. Twitter 101
Before you start, create an account (www.twitter.com).
The Benefits of Twitter
! You can share your thoughts, ask questions, find resources and read news that interests you.
! Because of limits on how long “Tweets” can be, you begin to formulate your ideas into a concise manner.
! You can connect with people from throughout the world and stay updated on your favorite organizations.
The Basics – Terminology
! A Tweet is either a phrase or sentence that is no longer then 140-characters in length.
! Your username is called your Twitter Handle.
o
Example: the Twitter Handle for Special Olympics is @SpecialOlympics
! A Hashtag can be a phrase or word prefixed with the # Symbol. There are no spaces between words and
phrases. You can create your own hashtag, or search for one already in use.
o
Example: #ProjectUNIFY, #SchoolClimate
Twitter Handle
A Tweet
Hashtag
Actions
C R E AT I N G A “ T W E E T ”
1. Click the Compose Tweet Icon; then write either a sentence or phrase that is no longer then 140-characters.
Compose
Tweet
Write your Tweet
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3. FAVO R I T I N G , R E T W E E T I N G A N D R E P LY I N G TO A T W E E T
1. If you want to reply to a Tweet, click Reply. You can respond to any tweet this way, but remember the 140character count limit still applies.
2. If you like a Tweet and want to share on your profile, click Retweet.
3. If you like a Tweet, you can click Favorite. This allows the person who tweeted the tweet to know you like
his or her tweet.
Want to reply to the
Like this Tweet?
Favorite a tweet if you
question? Click this
Retweet to your
want the person to know
button!
followers!
you like their Tweet!
S E A RC H I N G FO R P EO P L E A N D H A S H TAG S
! If there is a specific person you want to find,
type his or her name in the search bar. If you
know their Twitter Handle, type the @ symbol in
front of their handle.
o
Example: if you want to follow Tim
Shriver, type @TimShriver
! If you want to search
for a Hashtag, go to
the search bar and
type the # symbol
followed by the hashtag.
o
Example: want to learn about Project UNIFY? Type #ProjectUNIFY to find tweets that use that
Hashtag
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4. FO L LOW I N G A N D FO L LOW E R S
! With Facebook, one can submit a Friend Request to follow ones’ updates. For Twitter, one can follow
another Twitter user to follow ones’ updates.
o
Note: you have the option to make your profile public or private. Most profiles are public so you
can engage in Twitter Chats and connect with more people.
! Your followers are those who follow you!
E N G AG I N G O N T W I T T E R
Prepare
Set-up a Twitter Account
Follow @SpecialOlympics & @SOProjectUNIFY
Engage
Log-on Twitter and type #ProjectUNIFY in the
search bar
To add to the conversation, create a tweet and
include the #ProjectUNIFY hashtag so others’
can view your tweet.
Favorite, Retweet and Reply to others'
contributions.
Lead-Forth
Like Project UNIFY on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProjectUNIFY
Continue to Tweet your thoughts, experiences
& questions using the #ProjectUNIFY Hashtag
Reflect on how you can include blogging,
tweeting and other social media websites to
educate, motivate and activate more people
Social Media
Fb.com/ProjectUNIFY
@SOProjectUNIFY
youtube.com/specialolympicshq
projectunifyblog.wordpress.com
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