Want to know how Twitter works? Read this story as a novel way to learn about the etiquette of Twitter code, conversation and content.

(With apologies to the real owners of these usernames)

Mum
@ LittleRedRidingHood Pls would you take this basket of food and deliver it to @ Grandma?

LittleRedRidingHood
@ Mum OK, although I’m a bit scared going through the forest on my own

Mum
@ LittleRedRidingHood Just be careful and don’t talk to any strangers

LittleRedRidingHood
Just checked in to ‘The Forest’ on FourSquare

BigBadWolf
@ LittleRedRidingHood Where are you going, little girl?

LittleRedRidingHood
RT @Mum Just be careful and don’t talk to any strangers // That means YOU!

BigBadWolf
@ LittleRedRidingHood *Sniffs. What’s that in your basket? #HungryLikeAWolf

LittleRedRidingHood
@ BigBadWolf Some goodies for my Grandma. Now go away and leave me alone

BigBadWolf
Just checked in to ‘Grandma’s House’ on FourSquare

Grandma
@ BigBadWolf Who’s that? ARRGGGHHHH!!!

BigBadWolf
Just swallowed Grandma whole. What did you have for lunch today?

BigBadWolf
Now dressed in Grandma’s clothing. What are you wearing today?

LittleRedRidingHood
@ Grandma OMG, what big eyes you have!

Grandma
@ LittleRedRidingHood All the better to see you with, my dear.

LittleRedRidingHood
@ Grandma OMG, what big ears you have!

Grandma
@ LittleRedRidingHood All the better to hear you with, my dear.

LittleRedRidingHood
@ Grandma OMG, what big TEETH you have!

Grandma
@ LittleRedRidingHood All the better to EAT you with, my dear. #HungryLikeAWolf

LittleRedRidingHood
ARRGGGHHHH!!! #RunsAwayScreaming

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Woodcutter
Nice day in #TheForest. What’s it like where you are?

LittleRedRidingHood
@ Woodcutter Hayulp! Hayulp! @ BigBadWolf has got into @ Grandma’s account!

Woodcutter
@ BigBadWolf Get out of @ Grandma’s account right now, or I will Block you and report you as Spam

BigBadWolf
@ Woodcutter Grrr!

Woodcutter
*Swings mighty chopper

BigBadWolf
ARRGGGHHHH!!!

Grandma
Just escaped from inside @ BigBadWolf thanks to @ Woodcutter!

LittleRedRidingHood
#FF @ Woodcutter So brave! So fearless!

Woodcutter
D LittleRedRidingHood Mmm, you look nice in red xxx

LittleRedRidingHood
D Woodcutter Thanks, shall we have a Tweetup?

*****

Key to Twitter code

@ Username = Clickable link to a particular
Twitter user in a public message that other Twitter users can see

RT = Retweet = Tweet that is passed on by other Twitter users

#Hashtag = A way to collate all tweets about a particular keyword

#FF = Follow Friday = A recommendation to other Twitter users to follow a particular username

OMG = Oh My God

Pls = Please

D = Direct Message = A private message only possible between Twitter users who follow each other and only seen by them

Tweetup = Meetup arranged on Twitter

This article was originally published on Business on Twitter.

One of the services I provide for clients is writing Twitter and Facebook updates as the voice of their brand. Alternatively, I can train you how to do it yourself. Please contact me if you’d like some social media help.

This article has also been published on Fresh Business Thinking and Business on Twitter

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