Hot off the heels of the 101 Class: “Twitter for Ministry Strategy 101” comes the 2nd-level course.

So you’ve convinced your ministry, staff, or organization that Twitter is pretty much the best thing since sliced bread and that if you’re not on it than you’re a nobody.

Great.

Here are some things that you’ll need to do as you go in for the plunge:

To Do #1 – Your Twitter ID (@handle) is Everything

When you sign up you’ll be forced to create a user ID. This isn’t anything new. But make sure that it’s super easy to remember, super easy to type, and as short as humanly possible.

Remember, you’ve only got 140 characters to say something. If you’re twitter handle is something like @gracefellowshipchurchindallastexas … that’s 36 characters that you just lost. And if you already made one like that but need to change? Don’t worry. There’s a way to do that too.

To Do #2 – Know the “Language”

It’s pretty important that you know how to truly navigate the waters of Twitter with the use of the @ symbol, #, DM, RT, etc… Take a look, print it out, and memorize:

• @username + message
  

directs a twitter at another person, and causes your twitter to save in their “replies” tab.
Example: @meangrape I love that song too!

• D username + message

sends a person a private message that goes to their device, and saves in their web archive.
Example: d krissy want to pick a Jamba Juice for me while you’re there?

• WHOIS username

retrieves the profile information for any public user on Twitter.
Example: whois jack

• GET username

retrieves the latest Twitter update posted by the person.
Example: get goldman

• NUDGE username

reminds a friend to update by asking what they’re doing on your behalf.
Example: nudge biz

• FAV username

marks a person’s last twitter as a favorite. (hint: reply to any update with FAV to mark it as a favorite if you’re receiving it in real time)
Example: fav al3x

• STATS

this command returns your number of followers, how many people you’re following, and which words you’re tracking.

• INVITE phone number
  

will send an SMS invite to a friend’s mobile phone.
Example: Invite 415 555 1212

To Do #3 – Find Friends, Build Rapport

Start friending the people that you know, staff members, or anyone that you may have similar interests in. Remember, it’s ok to “follow” friends that you don’t personally know. They won’t feel wierd.

Also, one of the fastest ways to build rapport in Twitter is using the “@” symbol. Message other users directly, ask them questions, and make sure you respond if they send one to you!

To Do #4 – Subscribe to TwiTip.com

Darren Rowse, more widely known as “ProBlogger,” started TwiTip.com only a few months ago and it is quickly becoming the resource for Twitter strategy, applications, and practices. Subscribe to the RSS Feed and get schooled.

To Do #5 – Marketing is Ok

One of the fastest ways of “getting the word” out is by putting a link to your Twitter account on everything. Put it on your blog, in your emails, in your signatures, on all your social networking profiles, etc.

Put it everywhere!

Add it to the places you travel the most, make sure you put it on places where you comment… Just do it!

To Do #6 – Start the Conversations, but Don’t Stop There

Get used to doing it. Conversate. Start talking. Make some “noise.” Understand who you’re following, read their bios, read their blogs, follow others, promote others, and don’t give up.

Twitter has always been an amazing “jump off” point, to get you to find the people that matter and the people that will help you do what you’re “on mission” to do and accomplish.

Make sure that Twitter and the “twitterverse” bleed into the real world. Meet up with others, do something like @rick_smith’s TrainFriday, etc!

To Do #7 – Have Fun

If you’re not having fun, then stop. Find someone else to do it for you that’s interested, passionate, and concerned. You may believe your ministry needs to do it, but that doesn’t mean you have to be the one that does it.