Learn the benefits of using Twitter for government. We'll even tell you how to get started!

1. Digital 3.0 101:
Twitter for Government

2. What is Twitter?
Everyone from CNN reporters to your
child’s high school principal is using
Twitter, the free Web- and cell phone-
based messaging service that allows you
to broadcast short messages, or updates,
to your friends or followers.
Share what you ate for breakfast, how
your workday is going, and even what
your take is on the latest Canada’s
Next Top Model.

3. Who Uses Twitter?
Twitter isn’t just for teens—users are an
affluent and well-educated bunch. A study
from comscore.com states the majority of
visitors are 35 years of age or older.

4. Getting Started
To sign up for a Twitter account, go to
Twitter.com and click on “Get Started – Join!”

5. Getting Started
Use your real name on your account so friends and
contacts can find you. Note: You can choose “Protect my
updates” to limit your Twitter followers to authorized status.

6. Getting Started
Once you’re registered, simply forward
your Twitter page link to your contacts.

7. How to Tweet
To send a “Tweet,” log onto the Web page from
your computer or mobile device and use the entry
window to enter your message up to 140 characters.

8. How to Tweet
Once sent, your message will appear on
the Twitter pages and mobile devices of
your Twitter followers.

9. Online Tutorial
Visit the Common Craft to view helpful
introductory videos at
www.commoncraft.com/twitter

10. Why Tweet?
Governments and public officials use Twitter too! Seriously,
governments at the federal, state, and local levels are
starting to communicate via rapid fire messages for the
benefit of the public. Examples: President Barack Obama
uses Twitter, and emergency services are using the tool
to send notifications about car accidents, fires, extreme
weather alerts, and missing persons.

11. Twitter Benefits
Allow the public instant access to government
Web sites.
Draw the type of public response, en masse,
that public servants want.
Allow citizens to aid emergency services by providing
valuable information about crimes, environmental
conditions, and catastrophes without crashing public
servers as a result of spiking page hits.