Twitter is big news at the minute. The “Race to 1 Million Followers” between Ashton Kutcher and CNN made a splash on all the mainstream media channels, while Oprah Winfrey has just joined the micro-blogging service.

So after more than three years of life, why is Twitter so hot all of a sudden and how can you get started on it?

1. What is Twitter? There have been numerous descriptions of what Twitter actually is. It’s a micro-blogging site; it’s a chat room; it’s an Instant Messenger. In truth, it’s a little bit of everything.At its simplest, it’s a space where you can share your thoughts with other like-minded people using just 140 characters. It can either be used for personal conversations or business use – finding new clients, connecting with possible customers, and more. Twitter’s use and benefits is really down to you.
2. Your Profile. Because Twitter is such a short attention span tool, getting to the point is key. You have short messages to share your thoughts – think of this mindset when setting up your profile.Have a short description that offers the most information about you as possible, and then use the URL option to direct your new connections to somewhere they can find out more. This could be your blog, your LinkedIn profile, your website, or even something like MeeID that allows you a portal to all your online spaces.If you have design skills, you can forgo the standard Twitter background and have your own personal one. Sites like TwitBacks offer free personalized background tutorials so you can create your own unique design.
3. Watch, Learn, Explore. When you first start using Twitter, it can be a scary experience. The amount of constantly changing information can seem overwhelming. However, because you’re always in control of the medium’s use, you can tailor the noise and information to how you want to be informed.Have a look at how other users use Twitter. Compare their conversations with how you’re looking to utilize the service. You don’t have to jump in immediately – get to know the ebb and flow and what works for you and what doesn’t. Then you can jump in and start to tailor your needs.
4. Tools of the Trade. Because Twitter is web-based and on a single screen, it can be difficult to keep up with the conversation. This is where a host of third-party solutions come into play.Applications like Tweetdeck, Tweetgrid and Seesmic Desktop allow you to set up different ways to monitor certain conversations. They allow you to set up replies just to you; conversations of friends; business targets and more.There are also a few Twitter account management tools that help you keep your account up-to-date. Tweepular and Twiping are just two. Using these tools will ensure you don’t feel overwhelmed with information.
5. Business or Pleasure? The only real decision you need to make about starting out on Twitter is how you’re going to use the account. Will it be a personal approach or a business one? Perhaps a bit of both?If you’re looking to use it primarily as a business account and a way to connect with customers new and old, you’ll need to be more careful about the messages you send out.There have been plenty of examples where employees and brands have shared personal views via a business account and landed in hot water. The best way to counter this is ask yourself if you’d say the same thing in public, offline.

This is just an introductory guide to getting started with Twitter. Future posts will look at ways to integrate it into a business, use it for non-profit fund-raising, build your expertise and more.