Here's how you can receive direct messages and @ replies directly to your phone, plus a rundown of five Twitter text commands you can use to communicate with your followers when you're on the go.

: Log in to your twitter account and choose "Settings" from the drop-down menu next to your username. Choose "Mobile" to add your phone number, which will allow you to send updates to Twitter via your mobile phone and receive messages.

After you've entered your phone number, click "Start" to verify your phone. You will be asked to send a message to Twitter's U.S. , 40404. After you receive a text message saying your phone has been verified, revisit your mobile settings page on Twitter.com to update your preferences.