Inside the origins of Trump's high-octane Twitter account

[...] the billionaire's foray into the world of social media began with a much simpler purpose, yet one that's still distinctively Trump: making money.

Costanzo crossed paths with Trump in 2009 when he was working as online marketing director for the publishing company putting out the businessman's book, "Think Like a Champion."

[...] Costanzo saw the 140-character-per-message platform as a new tool that the real estate mogul could use to boost sales and reach a broader audience.

Costanzo — a 51-year-old who goes by @PeterCostanzo on Twitter — now works as digital and archival publishing manager for The Associated Press, a position that is separate from the news department.

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.

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.