8.5MILLION followers later: How this man convinced Trump to join Twitter in a seven-minute pitch by telling him it would help sell more books

  • Peter Costanzo, 51, did marketing for Trump's 'Think Like A Champion'
  • Thought Twitter could help the billionaire reach a broader audience
  • Had seven minutes to pitch the idea in a Trump Tower boardroom in 2009
  • Trump joined Twitter that year and now has more than 8.5 million followers
  • See more of the latest Donald Trump news at www.dailymail.co.uk/trump

Donald Trump joined Twitter after a seven-minute pitch by a man who said it could help him sell more of his business books.

Peter Costanzo, 51, is the man who helped turn Trump into @RealDonaldTrump - the mogul's handle on the platform.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee has used it to pump out insults, political attacks and self-promotion to more than 8.5 million followers.

But the billionaire's foray into the world of social media began with a much simpler purpose: making money.

Peter Costanzo (pictured), 51, convinced Donald Trump to join Twitter in 2009 while doing marketing for the billionaire's book 'Think Like A Champion'
Costanzo came up with the handle @RealDonaldTrump (pictured)

Peter Costanzo (left), 51, convinced Donald Trump to join Twitter in 2009 while doing marketing for the billionaire's book 'Think Like A Champion'. Costanzo came up with the handle @RealDonaldTrump (right)

Costanzo crossed paths with Trump in 2009 while working for the publishing company putting out the businessman's book, 'Think Like a Champion.' 

Twitter, which began in 2006, was still in its infancy at the time. But Costanzo, the company's online marketing director, thought the mogul could use it to connect with more people - and increase sales.

Costanzo was given seven minutes to make his pitch to Trump - 'not five minutes, not 10,' Constanzo said - in a boardroom at Trump Tower in Manhattan.

The room appeared to be the same one used on Trump's reality television show.

Trump liked what he heard that day.

'I said, "Let's call you @RealDonaldTrump - you're the real Donald Trump,"' Costanzo said. 'He thought about it for a minute and said, "I like it. Let's do it."'

Costanzo helped coordinate Trump's Twitter account over several months and worked on the billionaire's official Facebook page too, often sending out messages for him.

He credited Trump with being an early adopter of the service and says he believes Trump understood its potential.

'He seemed very excited about the idea of being able to reach people so directly,' Costanzo said. 'I think he immediately got it.'

Trump's office confirmed the outlines of Costanzo's account. Costanzo now works as digital and archival publishing manager for The Associated Press, a position that is separate from the news department.

Twitter, which began in 2006, was still in its infancy at the time. But Costanzo (pictured) thought it would help Trump reach a broader audience - thus selling more books

Twitter, which began in 2006, was still in its infancy at the time. But Costanzo (pictured) thought it would help Trump reach a broader audience - thus selling more books

Costanzo was given seven minutes to pitch the idea in a boardroom at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump (pictured in Washington, DC on Sunday) agreed to join Twitter afterwards

Costanzo was given seven minutes to pitch the idea in a boardroom at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump (pictured in Washington, DC on Sunday) agreed to join Twitter afterwards

Costanzo's moniker for Trump on Twitter may have survived but the early days of the businessman's account bear little resemblance to the current iteration, which frequently drives news in the White House race.

During the roughly eight months when Costanzo was in charge of the burgeoning Trump Twitter account, each missive was carefully crafted by the publishing company or the businessman's office.

Trump got final approval before Costanzo pressed 'Tweet'.

Most of the messages were quotations from the book, a collection of Trump lessons on life and business.

One early tweet reads: 'My persona will never be that of a wallflower — I'd rather build walls than cling to them.'

Sometimes Trump would send word through an associate that he wanted to offer a holiday greeting. His retweets were rare then.

Now, Trump starts firing off messages early in the morning and often continues past midnight. He'll shout out tweets for aides to type during the day and take over himself at night. Spelling and grammar are sometimes amiss, and exclamation points are plentiful.

Trump frequently retweets messages from other people's accounts, something he's admitted 'gets me in trouble'.

He faced particular criticism for retweeting an unflattering photo of former rival Ted Cruz's wife and has since said he wished he hadn't done that.

Costanzo, who no longer has any role with Trump's Twitter account or books, says he's marveled at the following his most famous client has built on social media.

When someone ashed whether he had any Twitter advice for Trump now, Costanzo said: 'He seems to be doing just fine without me.' 

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee has used his account (pictured) to pump out insults, political attacks and self-promotion to more than 8.5 million followers

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee has used his account (pictured) to pump out insults, political attacks and self-promotion to more than 8.5 million followers