7 ways to get the most out of Twitter

As a public relations professional—especially today, when journalists, bloggers and other influencers are short on time and looking for story ideas or resources—you have to be active on Twitter.

Through the connections I’ve made on Twitter, I have found new clients, new work, opportunities for travel, speaking gigs and interviews, and I have built relationships with people who are a vital part of my life today.

I joined Twitter on Dec. 18, 2007. Later, I read ” Twitter Revolution” by Deborah Micek and Warren Whitlock, one of the early books explaining not only how to use Twitter, but describing the power and potential it offered for business and communication. I was transfixed and fell head first down the “Twitter rabbit hole.”

After diving in, I learned to follow these seven simple, but essential, Twitter rules:

1. Be genuine

From the beginning I have been @allenmireles on Twitter. I have used Twitter as channel to curate and share information on the use of social media and digital tools in business, marketing and public relations.