The Twitter Book

Given the intense media spotlight shining on Twitter right now, chances are if you haven’t twittered yet, you’re probably considering it. Even Oprah twittered for the first time recently and Twitter traffic surged dramatically as a result.

So what is Twitter? Why is it so popular? How can you turn it into a time-saver rather than a time-waster? And how can its 140-character messages be a serious — and effective — way to boost your business? The Twitter Book answers all of those questions and many more.

The Twitter Book is co-written by two widely recognized Twitter authorities. Co-author Tim O’Reilly, founder and CEO of O’Reilly Media, is now one of Twitter’s most influential thought leaders with more than 300,000 followers as of April 2009. Considered by many to be the best computer book publisher in the world, O’Reilly Media coined the term Web 2.0.

“I give talks all the time where I throw up a picture or a screenshot of an interesting Web site. And I thought we can do a book like that and it would be a way of capturing the world of Twitter — screenshots of tweets, screenshots of new applications, and a little bit of text telling you how to use it,” explains Tim about why he decided to take time out of his busy schedule to develop The Twitter Book. “So in a lot of ways the book is a reflection of how I would give a talk about Twitter.”

And co-author Sarah Milstein frequently writes and speaks on Twitter and is the 21st user of this service. “Our book will help you understand the ways Twitter is useful and addictive and unlike any other communications service — and how you can tap that power.” Sarah says, “Twitter gives companies unique opportunities to listen to and engage with customers, partners, and other important stakeholders. In the book, we show you how companies of all kinds are successfully turning Twitter into a critical, two-way communications channel.”

Clearly and entertainingly written, The Twitter Book is brimming with up-to-the-nanosecond tips for finding your stride in the fast-expanding eddy of global tweets. This colorful guide will teach you everything you need to know to quickly become a Twitter power user. It includes information on the latest third party applications, strategies, and tactics for how to turn Twitter into your personal newspaper, tracking breaking news and learning what matters to you and your friends.

The innovative format illustrates Twitter best practices by showing Twitter and supporting tools in action as demonstrated by more than 60 top twitterers, whose work is included in the book. The Twitter Book also sports a full color illustration on every page spread. This essential guide will help you:

• Use Twitter to connect with colleagues, customers, family, and friends
• Stand out on Twitter, whether you’re new to the service or already have experience
• Avoid common Twitter gaffes and pitfalls
• Utilize Twitter — and the best third-party tools that help you manage it — to build a critical professional communications channel

So if you want to know how to use Twitter like a pro, The Twitter Book will get you up to speed fast. Indeed Cory Doctorow, co-editor of Boing Boing and author of Little Brother, agrees and says The Twitter Book is “as easy to grasp as a tweet; this book cuts through the tiresome twitterhype and delivers a bunch of sensible, down-to-earth material on using and enjoying Twitter.”