Facebook and Twitter For Seniors For Dummies [Paperback]

Marsha Collier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0470637544 | ISBN-13: 978-0470637548 | Edition: 1

A fun and easy social media guide for the over-55 set

People over 55 were the fastest-growing user group on Facebook in the first half of 2009, and they’re flocking to Twitter at a faster rate than their under-20 grandchildren. From basic information about establishing an Internet connection to rediscovering old friends, sharing messages and photos, and keeping in touch instantly with Twitter, this book by online expert Marsha Collier helps seniors jump right into social media.

• Seniors are recognizing the communication possibilities of Facebook and Twitter and are signing up in record numbers
• This plain-English guide explains how to get online, set up a Facebook profile, locate friends, post public and private messages, share photos, create events, follow local businesses and friends on Twitter, create a blog, play games, and more
• Marsha Collier explains every step with the same friendly, comfortable style that has made her eBay For Dummies books bestsellers

Facebook & Twitter For Seniors For Dummies supplies everything seniors need to function confidently on these two social media platforms.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get steps and advice for connecting with friends on Facebook and Twitter!

So you've decided to find out why all the world seems to be into social networking? That's great! Let this book be your guide to setting up Facebook and Twitter accounts, catching up with old friends and making new ones, communicating with the grandkids, avoiding shady characters, foiling identity thieves, and maximizing your online experience!

• If you're starting from scratch — get advice on buying a computer, setting up Internet access, and establishing an e-mail account in Part 1

• Face the world on Facebook — create your account and profile, upload your photo, set privacy controls, and explore your home page

• Reach out and find someone — learn how to search for friends, send friend requests, chat, and retrieve private messages

• Fun and games — join groups, play games, and create events

• All a-Twitter — set up a Twitter account, learn the shorthand, find people you want to follow, use hashtags, and create lists

• Intermediate social networking — find places to share photos and videos, read movie and restaurant reviews, and contribute your opinions

• Venture into the blogosphere — try your hand at blogging

Open the book and find:

• How to find your friends and family on Facebook

• Suggestions on how to build your Facebook profile

• Facebook privacy tweaks so only your friends can see your profile

• How to post photos and send private messages on Facebook

• Tips for condensing your thoughts to 140 characters for Twitter

• Sites that review restaurants, rate hotels, and recommend music

• Where to get Web-based e-mail for your social networking

Learn to:

• Get a Web-based e-mail account and sign up on Facebook

• Update your Facebook profile, find friends, share photos, and post messages

• Share quick thoughts with your friends using Twitter

• Find the best sites for dining, travel, and music recommendations

About the Author

Marsha Collier is well known for her many books on eBay and eBay businesses, which have sold more than a million copies. Recognizing the power of social media, Marsha has expanded her scope, and was recently named a NOW Award All-Star by the Twitter-focused 140 Characters Conference.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (September 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470637544
• ISBN-13: 978-0470637548
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Computers & Technology > Home Computing & How-to > Social Media How-to
  • #45 in Books > Computers & Technology > Web Development & Design > Web 2.0

More About the Author

In 1998 Marsha created the first edition of eBay For Dummies, then, followed up the success of the first book with a second book targeting individuals interested in making e-commerce their full time profession, Starting an eBay Business For Dummies. That book became an instant nationwide hit, making several notable Best Seller lists. Since then, Marsha has updated each of her books and published many more.

Marsha Collier's name crops up a lot in the same breath as e-commerce and customer service. No surprise there. She's the author of eBay For Dummies, eBay Business All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies plus many other related, best-selling titles. She's sold over a million books and been on the Business Week Best Seller list and has published more than 35 books in the Wiley "For Dummies" series. (List of books in print below).

Her latest books, 'Social Media Commerce For Dummies' and 'The Ultimate Online Customer Service Guide: How to Connect with your Customers to Sell More' gives businesses insight into how to use Social Media to build customer relations and bottom line.

Her e-commerce advice has appeared in publications such as Martha Stewart Living and Reader's Digest, and don't be surprised if you've seen her on television - as a guest on The View or the Today Show and in her own PBS special, Making Your Fortune Online.

She is a popular keynote speaker, inspiring online sellers to success, the lead instructor at eBay University, speaks at conferences worldwide, and runs a successful online business - so is she an internet fanatic? Well, let's just say she's on a mission: educating current and future online sellers.

Very active in social media, Marsha uses her years of experience to instruct online citizens on selling and marketing. She was named one of the top twenty iCitizens by Kelly Mooney in her book, "The Open Brand." She is also listed in:

Forbes Top 10 Women Social Media Influencers
Forbes Top 50 Social Media Power Influencers
30 Best Female Bloggers
Small Business Book Awards: Startup Book Category, Starting an eBay Business For Dummies
The 100 Most Powerful Women On Twitter
PeerIndex #1 Customer Experience Online Influencers
Top 25 Most Influential in Customer Service: MindTouch
140 Characters Conference 2009 NOW Award Winner
One of Top 10 LA Tech & Twitter Voices in the Los Angeles Tech Scene by Ranker

Marsha currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. She can be reached via her Web site, www.marshacollier.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Guide September 16, 2010

By Jessica Gottlieb

Format:Paperback

I consider myself to be well versed in Facebook and Twitter and the etiquette for both. What I am not capable of is explaining it to my parents. I got this book today, and it's the perfect tool to introduce seniors to the social web (sorry mom).

The chapters are well laid out, with great examples of lingo that I (as a heavy social media user) take for granted.

If your mom doesn't know a DM from a status update, just buy her this book. It's really terrific. Also, Marsha mentions that as we age we are less mobile. This could be very liberating for someone who can't get out as much as they'd like to.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not good enough March 1, 2012

By Howes

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book (Facebook and Twitter for Seniors ...) is good as an overview. The subject has changed so much since this book was written that it is almost out of date already. It has helped me somewhat though not as much as I had hoped it would.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource for All Ages November 14, 2010

By Julie Spira

Format:Paperback

This simple to understand in-depth guide by Marsha Collier is your must-have resource for all ages. From the fact filled tables and graphs and how to buy computer supplies, to how to easily join the social networking site of your choice, this book covers it all. Get your post-its out and mark your favorite pages.

From Twitter hashtags to crowd sourcing, you'll learn some of the meanings of the acronyms you may have heard of beyond the World Wide Web. Now that I've finished reading it, I'm giving it to my parents who will no longer have an excuse as to why they can't join in on the social media fun.

~Julie Spira, author ofThe Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online