Everybody is talking about Twitter this and Twitter that. And you’re wondering: “Just how do I get onto this particular bandwagon?” Fear Not! Here’s how to set up and personalise your very own Twitter Account:

Go to the Twitter website  (step 1) and sign up with your name, email, password (step 2) and click Sign Up (step 3):

Step 1: Choose your Twitter user name (or “Twitter Handle” as its known)
You’ll have to pick one that hasn’t already been used! (step 2)
Create your account (step 3)

You will then be guided through your set up. Click on Next:

The next step is to follow people already on Twitter. This will enable you to see their updates on your page. Twitter will initially suggest people – usually celebrities – for you to follow (step 1). Twitter also provides categories which includes people talking about subjects that may interest you too. (step 2).

You can now easily look up people you actually know by allowing Twitter securely (step 1) to search your email contacts or your LinkedIn profile (step 2). Or if you do not wish to give Twitter access or you do not have one of these email applications then simply skip this step (step 3)

Don’t forget to confirm your account set up in the automated email you should have received by now!

Next you need to set up your Profile. See Step 1: Click on your Twitter name to open the drop down menu. Select “Settings” This will bring you to your settings pages, where, first, you should select “Profile” (step 2). Add a photo of you, or your company logo, or any avatar you wish to use. Square images work best as they are automatically cropped by Twitter (step 3). Add your website address (step 4) and a description of yourself or your business, limited to 160 characters (step 5). If you want to, you can automatically link your Facebook and Twitter accounts (step 6).

While still in your settings tab, hop over to “Design” to personalise your page (step 1). You can either use some of the default Twitter backgrounds or add your own (step 2) or you can simply have a background colour with no background image (step 3) or combine them. Play around until you have something that you like (step 4).

CONGRATULATIONS! You have set up your very own Twitter page! All you need to do now is increase the number of people you follow (step 1) and begin Tweeting (step 2). In time you will have followers of your very own!