An introduction to Twitter, delivered to colleagues within the School of Arts and Media at the University of Salford, in September 2014.

1. Twitter
Ross Ironfield
Digital Communications Officer
University of Salford
@rossironfield
Getting started with

2. Twitter
Agenda
•What is Twitter
•Setting up a new account
•Optimising your account and best practice
•The Art of Tweeting
•GROUP ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION:
Tweeting
•Twitter for Marketing & Student Recruitment
•GROUP DISCUSSION:
Teaching & Learning
•Using Twitter for Teaching and Learning
•QUESTIONS
Getting started with

3. Social media explained, with donuts
(stolen from geek.com)

4. Most popular social media networks

5. Twitter is an information network made up of 140-character
messages called Tweets. It's an easy way to discover the
latest news related to subjects you care about.
What is Twitter?

6. Twitter contains information you will find valuable.
Messages from users you choose to follow will show up on
your home page for you to read. It’s like being delivered a
newspaper whose headlines you’ll always find interesting –
you can discover news as it’s happening, learn more about
topics that are important to you, and get the inside scoop in
real time.
How is it useful?

7. Create a new account. Consider what email address to use. Click Sign up for Twitter
Getting started with Twitter

8. Consider what your @username will be. This is your ‘Twitter Handle’. Click Create my account
Basic settings

9. Follow the steps to complete set up of your new account
Getting started – step 1 of 5

10. Tick some options and click Continue
Getting started – step 2 of 5

11. Select some accounts to Follow, or choose Follow XX & continue
Getting started – step 3 of 5

12. Search your contacts. Recommend Skipping this step until after you’ve finished setting up
your account, as users tend to only Follow if you have some interesting stuff to share.
Getting started – step 4 of 5

13. You should receive a confirmation email to the address you selected during sign up.
Confirming your account will give you full access to Twitter and all future notifications will be
sent to this email address.
Verify your account by clicking on the link in the confirmation email
Getting started – step 5 of 5

14. Here you will see a Timeline of the latest Tweets (centre column) sent from the accounts you
follow. It will update in real time, highlighting new Tweets at the top.
Twitter – The Home Screen

15. Notifications – here you will see updates, such as who has followed you.
Mentions (tab on left) – this displays Tweets from other users (regardless as to whether they
follow you or not) that mention you. i.e. they have included your @username (Twitter Handle)
in a Tweet.
Trends – displays most popular subject matters being discussed on Twitter eg #Scotland
#RoyalBaby #RIPJoanRivers
Who to follow – Twitter will recommend accounts you might want to follow, based on your
current connections
Notifications

16. Twitter tailors the Tweets you see here, based on what it knows about you, and displays what
it thinks will be of interest to you. The other tabs on the left column help you discover Tweets
and accounts that you might want to follow.
#Discover

17. Setting up your Twitter account
Getting started with Twitter

18. Setting up your Twitter account – optimise your avatar. Consider the image you use… is it a
work account? If so, is a logo more appropriate? If you are tweeting in a professional capacity,
think about what image you use to promote yourself – do you want you in a suit, or you posing
with the cat?
Use the slider to adjust the size, and drag the image around to the correct position, and click
Apply to set your profile image.
Setting up your profile – Profile Photo (Avatar)

19. Like Facebook, you can now add a header image. This should be something meaningful,
relevant to what you Tweet about, and will help grab attention of potential followers.
Alternatively, if you are feeling more creative, you could include text with your imagery or an
illustration. The @SalfordUni account during Clearing, for example, included the ‘Get in’
branding and important info about Clearing.
Setting up your profile – Profile Header

20. • You have 160 characters to sum up who you are and
what you do. Make every character count!
• Consider the audience – who are you Tweeting to, and
why?
• Include keywords – words that tie into your business or
area of expertise. Think about what words and phrases
people would search for.
• If relevant, use #Hashtags. These will link to other tweets
on Twitter about this subject matter.
• Include other Twitter Handles (@usernames) where
relevant (eg @SalfordUni or @CreateatSalford)
• Include your location eg Salford, UK
• Include a relevant web link – maybe your own personal
website, blog or work related website
• Theme colour – your own personal brand. Adjusting this
colour customises the text colour and text boxes on your
profile. If you use for work, why not use the Salford Red
as your Theme Colour? #C60C30
Setting up your profile – bio, location, website and theme colour

21. Access your account settings by clicking on the cog, at the top left of the screen. Here you
can adjust your location, time zone, language, username and associated email address.
Account Settings

22. Advisable to follow Twitter’s additional security settings, to avoid getting hacked. Privacy
settings allow you to ‘Protect my Tweets’ which stops your Tweets from being made public.
Only users you approve can Follow you, and only these Followers can view your Tweets.
Deactivate Tweet Location settings, to prevent your location being revealled when you Tweet
– location can be determined either by your wi-fi settings or if using your smartphone.
Security and Privacy Settings

23. Linking with your mobile phone enhances security on your account. If there is an unauthorised
attempt by someone to access your account, you can be alerted on your mobile via SMS.
Password Settings

24. Here you can add payment options, if you intend to use paid features on Twitter, such as
Adverts, Promoted Posts and Tweets.
Payments and Order History

25. The Twitter app is available on Android, iOS (iPhone and iPad) and most other smart phones
and tablets. Download from the app store on your device, and input your usual username and
password to access your Twitter account on the go.
Mobile App

26. Here you can specify when you receive notifications via email. For example, you may want to
receive an alert when someone mentions you in a Tweet, or Retweets you.
Email notifications

27. Some browsers allow you to setup notifications and alerts for Twitter. Similarly, Apple Mac’s
allow you to integrate your Twitter account with your computer.
Notifications

28. As you Follow more and more users, your Timeline can quickly become overwhelming with
hundreds of Tweets. Here, you can mute specific users, without unfollowing them. This stops
their Tweets from appearing in your Timeline.
Muting Accounts

29. Here is another menu for editing your Profile Settings. There is also an option to Connect to
Facebook – if Tweeting professionally, I would not recommend activating this setting.
Profile Settings

30. Here you can adjust the Background design, upload your own design, or adjust the colour.
Again, you may want to use the Salford Red as your background colour #C60C30
Design Settings

31. Here you can see what other Apps / Applications are associated with your Twitter account. Eg
if you use services like ‘Who Unfollowed Me’ it will show up here.
Apps

32. Create your own Twitter Widget here by following the step-by-step instructions.
This allows you to embed your Twitter feed onto your own website or blog. You can customise
the settings, to match your brand or the colour scheme used on your website.
Widgets – 1 of 3

33. Widget Configuration. Chose which Timeline you wish to use for your Widget – eg your
‘Favourite’ Tweets, or a List.
Widgets – 2 of 3

34. Once you have finished configuring your Widget, copy the HTML code on to your website or
blog. This will embed the Widget onto a page.
Widgets – 3 of 3

35. Tweeting
The Art of

36. • Tweets are restricted to 140 characters (less than an SMS message) so you need to
carefully consider how to get your message across using only a few words.
• Mention other Twitter users by using their Twitter Handle in your Tweet. In this example,
I’ve mentioned my own Handle, @ross_training
• Include #Hashtags if you are Tweeting about a specific subject. This allows users to click
on the #hashtag and view all other Tweets relating to that subject from across Twitter
• Examples #BedpansAndBandages
• #GetInSalford
• #Salfies
• The number indicator next to the Tweet button tells you how many characters you have left
• When you are ready to post your Tweet, press the Tweet button
Compose new Tweet

37. This is how your Tweet will appear on your Timeline. It will also appear immediately in the
main Timeline for all other users who follow you on Twitter.
Compose new Tweet

38. • Tweets that contain images stand out a lot on when scrolling through your Timeline.
• Recommend using wide images (eg 16x9 ratio) as Twitter crops images in the Timeline,
and only expands when the image is clicked on.
• Make sure you have permission to use the image before posting
• NOTE Twitter uploads to pic.twitter.com and generates its own short URL. Unfortunately,
these URL’s use up your allowance of characters
• Similarly, if you copy web links and include the in your Tweet, Twitter will shorten the URL,
but this still uses your character allowance.
Tweeting – Add Photo

39. This is how the Tweet will appear in the Timeline.
Tweets with images

40. This is how the same Tweet will appear on mobiles and tablets
Twitter App on the iPhone (left) and on the iPad (right)
Apps

41. This is how @replies appear in Twitter.
•If another Twitter user replies to your Tweet, it will appear under the ‘Notifications’ tab
•To reply to a Tweet, click on the ‘Reply’ button beneath the Tweet. The new Tweet will begin
with the users @username (Twitter Handle)
•Click on the ‘View Conversation’ to reveal all the Tweets that have been replied to
@Replies

42. Clicking on ‘View Conversation’ will display all the Tweets and @Replies
View Conversation

43. @Replies begin with the Twitter Handle of the user you are replying to
Sending an @Reply

44. Conversations

45. Note that @Replies don’t appear in your main Timeline view
Tweets Timeline

46. Selecting Tweets & Replies reveals ALL the Tweets you have sent
Tweets and Replies

47. • Click on a #Hashtag that appears in a Tweet will open a new Timeline containing all
Tweets that use the same hashtag, eg #SalfordOpenDay
• When using #Hashtags, research ones being used currently if you are Tweeting about that
subject. Eg #Scotland.
• Sometimes hashtags are promoted, such as ITV’s #BedpansAndBandages
• If composing your own hashtag, think about how others may use it – using #OpenDay will
link to all Tweets about any Open Days, but #SalfordOpenDay will more likely deliver
results to an Open Day at Salford
• Don’t use them just for the sake of it.
Working with #Hashtags

48. • You can filter through #hashtags, by viewing Top (most popular Tweets) or All (every
Tweet) using the link at the top
• Use the Search box (top right) to search for Tweets by hashtag
• The Save option allows you to save searches for future reference
• The column on the left allows you to filter by People, Media, Timelines etc.
#Hashtags

49. • Be careful when composing a new hashtag – EG #nowthatchersdead could be read as
• Now Thatcher’s Dead
• Now That Cher’s Dead
• Now T Hatcher’s Dead
• Don’t believe everything you read on Twitter!
• Robin Williams / Robbie Williams
• Nelson Mandella / Morgan Freeman
• Joan Rivers / Joan Collins
• #RIPFergie – Fergie leaves Manchester United, or Black Eyed Peas star dead?
#Hashtags

50. Direct Messages are also limited to 140 characters, but are Private. You can only send DMs
to mutual Followers i.e. you have to Follow each other.
DMs are useful if exchanging Tweets publically, but want to share some private information,
such as a telephone number.
Direct Messages

51. Favourite Tweets work in the same way as the Like button on Facebook. Use it as a way to
acknowledge content you like, and as a reference to refer back to later – it may contain an
interesting link, for example.
Favourite Tweets

52. Verified accounts are those that Twitter has confirmed as being authentic. Generally used by
celebrities and large organisations.
(I made this mock up in Photoshop to show how I would look with a blue tick!)
Verified Accounts

53. Lists are a great way of finding out information on Twitter, by following specific groups or
subscribing to existing lists.
•Create Lists to group users together
• Eg A list of Twitter accounts run by the University of Salford (Schools, services, departments etc)
• Twitter accounts run by Salford academic staff
• Twitter accounts of Student Societies or Sports Clubs
•Tweets view will show a Timeline that just contains Tweets sent by users within that list
•List subscribers allows other users to access the list (or you can keep these private)
Using Lists

54. Discussion
In groups, read the Salford
Story on your table
Summarise content into a
Tweet (max 140 characters)
Consider what image you
would include
Would you use a #Hashtag
Write on paper, and present
back

55. This Professional Sound and Video student
has always dreamt of seeing his name on the
credits.
When you pick up the remote to watch
Saturday night TV, Josh is the one rushing
around behind the scenes to make sure
every moment is perfect.
Britain’s Got Talent. X Factor. The Voice. This
Salford student has worked on them all.
But Josh’s ambition won’t stop until he’s
reached the top.
Keep the camera rolling; who knows what the
next episode will bring?
Discussion – Story 1

56. Behrooz Barzegar is a member of the Royal
Aeronautical Society, director of the Aircraft
Research Association and a member of the
National Aerodynamics Council. If it has two
wings and a turbine engine, he’s your man.
Behrooz graduated with an Honours degree
in Aeronautical Engineering Science. The
training and practical focus opened doors for
Behrooz and he went on to work at Airbus.
Several years later and with a Salford MSc in
Air Transport Economics added to his flight
bag, he touched down in Indonesia, to lead
an 8000 strong team in building a pioneering
civil turboprop.
Arriving back on British soil, Behrooz
continued to take his career soaring ever-
higher, becoming Airbus’ Vice President of
Aerodynamics.
But this high-flier hasn’t forgotten where it all
started. Behrooz still touches down at the
University of Salford to share his wisdom with
the next generation of aeronautical engineers
whenever he can.
Discussion – Story 2

57. Alina Stanciu has bigger artistic ambitions
than taking on the world. This Interior Design
graduate is looking to the entire galaxy.
This rising star of design is lighting up
Manchester’s social scene with her
innovative “Parables and Parabolas”
installation in trendy Northern Quarter hot
spot Kosmonaut. It’s the first such exhibition
to ever be displayed in the bar.
Alina’s intricately interwoven black cords wind
their way across the room, weaving out the
silhouette of the Orion Constellation.
Kosmonaut’s event manager Paul Allen
described the exhibition as ‘dramatic’.
Speaking about the installation, Alina said
that it was designed to ‘symbolically capture
stories from above the bar booths.’
Studying
Interior Design at the University of Salford
was a giant leap towards Alina’s future.
She’s over the moon at achieving her vision
and has her sights set on continuing to
develop innovative projects in some of
Manchester’s most exciting spaces.
Discussion – Story 3

58. This undercover artist has always had a secret
passion for sketching, but until she came to the
University of Salford, her talents were a mystery to
the world.
“I am the type of person who hides my drawings
under the bed,” admits Eleonora.
Thanks to studying an MA in Animation at Salford,
all that has changed and Eleonora’s charming
characters have made the leap from sketchbook to
screen.
With five of her quirky cartoons chosen to feature
at Hidden Door festival, Eleonora saw her nursery-
rhyme inspired The Orange Song step into the
limelight, receiving the most votes of any film in the
festival’s student Animation Showcase.
“I was like a child on Christmas Day! Especially
when I found out that The Orange Song had got
the most votes.”
Looks like your secret’s out now, Eleonora.
Watch Eleonora’s The Orange Song animation
here.
Discussion – Story 4

59. Marketing and Student
Recruitment
Using Twitter for

60. During Clearing, August 2014 we ran a campaign on Twitter using the #hashtags below. The
numbers and chart above show the number of Tweets on Twitter that used those #hashtags.
•#salfies 323
•#salfie 1,199
•#GetInSalford 2,828
For comparison, the following show just the tweets sent from our account, @SalfordUni
•#salfies 60
•#salfie 269
•#GetInSalford 806
Interesting that #Clearing was used nationwide over 18,000 times. We chose to focus on
#GetInSalford, as our message would have gotten lost amongst the other 18k Tweets about
Clearing.
Clearing Campaign – Get in.

61. Here are some example #hashtags used on Tweets and campaigns through @SalfordUni
account
•#GetInSalford 806
•#Salfies or #Salfie 329 (#Salfie 269, and #Salfies 60 - interesting that #Salfies was the
instruction in the printed frames)
•#SalfordGrad or #SalfordGrad14, 46 (3 used without the year)
•#BedpansAndBandages, 40
•#Clearing 35
•#Classof92, 31
•#abudhabi 29
•#GetReady 16
•#Dementia 15
•#NSS, 11
•#SalfordUni 8
•#itv 7
•#MUFC 6
•#SalfordWelcome 6
•#ALevelResults 5
•#NorthWest 5
#Hashtags used by @SalfordUni

62. Go to analytics.twitter.com to get an overview of how your Tweets have performed. They are
measured based on the following:-
•Impressions
• ie number of people who saw your Tweet
•Engagement
• ie number of people who interacted with your Tweet, either by:-
• Clicking/tapping on a Tweet
• Clicking/tapping on a #hashtag
• Clicking/tapping on a link
• Clicking/tapping on your Avatar
• Clicking/tapping on your @username
• Expanded the Tweet to see more (eg the image or video)
• Favourited your Tweet
• Replied to your Tweet
• Retweeted your Tweet to their Followers
• New Followers acquirred
•Engagement Rate
• Ratio of the Engagement actions (as listed above) and the Impressions generated over at Tweet
Throughout August, @SalfordUni received 1.9M impressions across all Tweets sent (over 3k)
Specifically for Clearing, we received
•761,000 impressions
•24,800 engagements
•4.07% engagement rate
Measuring Success

63. 12 retweets, 3 Favourites
Retweeted by SalfordCityFC to 22.3k followers,
1,230 views on YouTube (on Quays News)
Tweet with highest number of Impressions

64. sent at 8.31pm immediately after the broadcast on ITV.
Tweet with highest number of @Replies

65. Generated the highest number of impressions; 8888
And highest number of engagements, 898
Largest number of retweets, 47 retweets
24 Favourites
Tweet with highest level of Engagements

66. Discussion
In groups, discuss how you
could potentially use Twitter
for Teaching and Learning.
Write on paper, and present
back.

67. Teaching
Using Twitter for

68. • Use Widgets to embed your Twitter onto Blackboard – important
to have all sources of learning accessible from Blackboard
• Sync with your Blog or website – each time you post something
new, a Tweet is automatically sent
• Tweet dates/times and any changes for upcoming lectures,
seminars, trips.
• Tweet reminders about deadlines for submissions
• Summarise content of your lecture at the end, include relevant
links to additional info
Twitter for Teaching and
Learning

69. • Use for research – Follow other academics and public figures in
your field, see what they’re talking about
• Engage in discussion with them, by replying to their Tweets
• Share / Retweet relevant and useful information to your
Followers, either from other Twitter users, or sharing links from
the web
• Create Lists
• EG List of students on your course, to Follow each other
• List of other academics, sources of news and info to Follow
Twitter for Teaching and
Learning

70. • Host a Twitter Q & A, organised with a unique, relevant #hashtag
• EG during Clearing or Applications, Q & A about your course
• Run a Twitter Poll
• EG use #SalfordYES for YES vote or #SalfordNO for NO vote
• Ask a question
• EG Should the @BBC be publically funded? Discuss #hashtag
• Facilitate discussion
• EG arrange Guest Speaker to engage with you and students on Twitter, to discuss a
topic
• Encourage students to submit questions beforehand, using your #hashtag
Twitter for Teaching and
Learning

71. General style advice when Tweeting
The University of Salford is proud and bold, friendly and
welcoming, down-to-earth and straight-talking,
credible and inspirational…
your tweets should be in your own personal style, but in the context of the
University you represent.
And finally…

72. Questions