Twitter – txt Messages and Twitter

Over the past three days, we have discuss the following topics: Twitter – What is it?, How to Get Started and Use it, and Definitions and Best Practices.

So, the question of the day is… Can I use txt messaging on my phone to send and receive tweets?

Yes you can!

Twitter allows its users to tweet by using txt messages; both sending & receiving tweets, replies and direct messages.

So, how do I set it up?

1. Login to twitter.com using your credentials.
2. Click Settings link, and then select the Devices tab. (see picture to right)
3. Enter your cell phone number in the box preceded with a “+” and country code. (example: +12125551212)
4. Select the check box to allow twitter to send txt messages to your phone and then click Save.
5. This will send a verification code in a txt message to your phone.
6. When the code arrives on your phone, txt the verification code to 40404 (Twitter).
7. All done.

What other options do I need to be aware of?

After your phone is setup, the device tab will look like the one to the right (my cell number blacked out for obvious reasons).

To use txt messaging to update twitter, send your text messages to 40404. Don’t forget that twitter has a 140 character limit.

Using this screen, you can turn the device updates on and off. ONE BIG SETTING is located on this screen. Notice the check box to turn off updates during these hours. This will automatically turn off the txt updates during the time of the day (or night) you select. This will prevent being awakened by a txt message in the middle of the night because someone tweets at 2:30 AM. (right Dean?)

Twitter allows more than an all or nothing setting for receiving txt messages. It allows filtering by individual followings (is that a word?).

It allows the ability to turn txt messages on and off at a person level. You can find & control this information by clicking on the link to see the people you follow.

Then simply turn device updates “On” for the people you desire to receive txt message updates on.

Don’t forget, standard txt message charges apply through your cell phone carrier. Twitter sending the txt messages does not cost anything. Be careful, if you follow a lot of people and they twitter a lot… the quantity of txt messages can add up quick.

Tomorrow’s post will be the final installment of this series (maybe). Stay tuned…