I have found it hard to explain Twitter and the benefits - even to those who are comfortable using social networking. I have links to articles which I send on to people who are keen to know more. Maybe the time has come for me to wade in with my own so here are my thoughts on Twitter having the potential to be the best party you ever attended.

Don’t know how to break the ice? Have you ever had to go to a party where you did not know anyone? My advice in this situation is to join a group, smile and listen until you find a point where you think you can contribute. Well the same applies at Twitter. Just check out some of the conversations going on and chip in ( or chirp in- there are lots of Twitter words) when you have something to add. Smiles optional.

You want to meet to someone specific You might have a guest list ahead of the party and know who you would like to meet. Sometimes that is hard - you might need someone to point them out and introduce you. At Twitter you can search for people by name and then follow them. If that sounds a bit like stalking remember - Twitterers are effectively broadcasting so that people will read what they are saying. Without followers there would be no point.

You want to learn something new.  You might be at a party and meet someone interesting and you follow up on what they were talking about later with a bit of a Google search. At Twitter you can search by topic, read other Tweets ( 140 character posts), and follow their links either to good articles or other experts.

You want to make new  like minded friends. How do you know if you like someone? Well there is always the “eyes across the crowded room” potential but more often or not it comes from how you click. Twitter has a Direct Message option - so if you want to take your conversation away from others you can. Being safe on Twitter is as important as anywhere else - only give details out that you don’t mind others having!

You would like to make new business contacts At traditional business events making contacts and gathering business cards is the valuable first step. The Twitter business place is the most diverse imaginable. Twitterers are talking about their own business with others which is ideal if you want to find out what is going on in your sector - and what your competition is doing and who they are speaking to ( but remember they can do that by reading your posts too..). Twitterers are generous in sharing good practice and links to new ideas and products. And if you have a business issue by posting a question it is amazing how many will jump in with suggestions and offers of help.

You want to launch a product There are many  challenges on  how to reach the appropriate audience for your product, book, idea, gallery, cafe - whatever. On Twitter you can tell some friends, ask them to “retweet” - that means posting your post on their page and so it continues. I think it might be called viral marketing - or maybe I just made that up.

You want to take part in a fundraiser Hire the venue, organise the caterers, refine the guest list, find a celebrity - and have fun. Well all of this possible through Twitter - without the overheads. The guest list is potentially the entire Twitterverse. Recently there have been a couple of high profile charity requests - one to support a homeless single mother in the US, and the flurry of Twestivals ( which are real live events of Twitterers!!!) across the world  in aid of Wateraid.  The Just Giving website also has a Twitter presence to make donating easy….and there is an fast growing number of celebrities joining Twitter. Stephen Fry and Phillip Schofield are amongst the high profile names who are talking about it on TV, radio and in the press. Just invite them along…

You want to know what is going on in your community The town hall public meeting can be a dry affair but is a good means to finding out what is going on locally or nationally . Or on Twitter you can follow MPs, councillors - even the Mayor of London !

You just want to have fun which surely should  be the point of going to parties. Even business events should have an element of funny stories and good banter . And yes - you guessed - you can get all of that at Twitter. There are links to funny videos, jokes and stories. Follow funny people for your entertainment - be funny and entertaining yourself and others will follow and join your party.

There must be more. I will Tweet this post and will add any more I get! Please “chirp” in yourself!!