Video Post: How To Use TweetDeck

If you’ve been using Twitter for at least a week, chances are you’ve heard about TweetDeck, the desktop microblog app for Twitter. Developed early in 2008 by Iain Dodsworth, it has become one of the most popular desktop apps for two reasons:

The ability to organize all of your twitter feeds and break them down into “more manageable bite sized pieces”.
One click ease of use for creating groups, sending messages and filtering posts.

Below the video, I’ve posted an outline of the demo so that you can quickly skip to the topics that you want to learn more about.

So… on to the video

Beginning – 0:40 >>> Download TweetDeck / Make a donation to Iain Dodsworth
0:40 – 1:15 >>> What people like about TweetDeck / Outline of the demo
1:15 – 2:00 >>> Loading the various catagories of posts
2:00 – 2:40 >>> How to create custom groups
2:40 – 3:10 >>> Adding people to your “favorites” list
3:10 – 4:25 >>> Posting the different message types
4:25 – 5:35 >>> Viewing user profiles & adding users to custom groups
5:35 – 6:15 >>> Editing custom groups
6:15 – 8:15 >>> Filtering and clearing messages within a column and moving columns
8:15 – End >>> Settings window, changing colors / fonts and adjusting API limits

Update: Please see the follow-up video on the new version of Tweetdeck, and “How To Manage Your Twitter Relationships Better with TweetDeck”.

What did I miss? Please ping me on Twitter and/or post additional Tweetdeck tips in the comments section below.

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John

Thanks for this tutorial. I’ve been on twitter for a while and have certainly heard about tweetdeck. I was resisting it because I didn’t want to deal with yet another application but I must say that it looks like it will be very useful. Your tutorial made it easy to understand. The developer has a tutorial of the new features on his block but you covered the basic features well. Thanks!

http://www.corporatedollar.com johnscotthaydon

@Steven – go to TweetDeck.com and download the app. Once installed, enter your twitter ID and password.

Kimberly Wolfson

If I close (x) the replies or direct message tabs and they disappear from the dashboard, will they reappear if I click on “replies” or “direct messages” from the top menu? For example if I don’t want them to be on the dashboard but want to see them when I feel like it do I have that freedom? So in other words eliminating replies or direct messages from the dashboard doesn’t eliminate them permanently like custom groups does. Am I correct? Please respond via twitter or email. Thanks, Kim
http://homeopathyworldcommunity.com Debby

Hi ~ is there a place to see your FOLLOWERS? I would like to see my new followers in one place to see their page and decide whether to follow back. Thank you
Deb
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http://www.corporatedollar.com johnscotthaydon

@Jon – You’re not missing anything. The user fits both the “all friends” criteria and “your group” criteria.
http://www.corporatedollar.com johnscotthaydon

@Sterling – I don’t think there is. I always completely clear columns (using the trashcan icon), rather than selectively clearing like you do. Stuff I want to read later, I mark as a favorite. But that’s me (I also throw away all my Christmas cards in January).
http://www.corporatedollar.com johnscotthaydon

@John – Glad you found it useful. Thanks for stopping by!
http://www.corporatedollar.com johnscotthaydon

@Kimberly – Yes – @ & DM columns will re-appear once you click on the icons.
http://www.corporatedollar.com johnscotthaydon

@Debby – I don’t think that view is available in Tweetdeck (followers vs. following). However, Mr. Tweet is a great tool to decide who to follow back.