I’ve sort of had it with a few habits and practices as a frequent user and lover of Twitter. I came up with a short list which became a longer list. Here it is. It is made up of mostly don’ts or things to avoid. Please note: these are arbitrary Twitter rules from a self-appointed non-expert.
Stop auto-DMing. I got one the other day from a well-known agency that said: ”So And So is all about innovation! Blah blah blah other words here!” I DMed back: “You know what’s not innovative? Auto DMs.” Never heard back.
Stop .@ing. Be creative and work the name in.
Stop making plans on the timeline – use your phone or DM. It says, “ME! ME! ME!” (waving hands like a first grader) more than any other activity on Twitter (except maybe the next one). You also get people inviting themselves, and rightfully.
Don’t retweet all of your mentions. Please? Pick a special one now and then, like when your favorite blogger @s you. I’d even RT that mention.
Never argue or pick fights. Bite your fingertips. It makes you look bad. No one else but you. (Read it again.)
Stop auto-posting your 4sq updates. Once I know you do this, I lose interest in all of your posts. Unless that’s what you want? Then carry on.
Stop complaining. Occasionally it’s fine. Especially when it’s a #laughatyourself moment.
Stop doing this: “In case you missed my blog post, here it is again.” We didn’t. Stop.
Stop #ff. Or if you MUST, pick one person a week that blows your mind and tell us WHY. With gusto. We’re all busy people! Lists of @s are unacceptable. I skip right over them like I do green DOTS.
Stop cross-posting. (Putting identical messages on all the networks.) The occasional one is acceptable. For example: It’s a girl! Or: I’m gay! Big deals you want everyone to know twice.
Post only the articles you read that MAKE YOUR BRAIN SPARKLE. The ones that you wish you wrote they’re so good. Same goes with retweeting. They should say: I care about this. It means something to me. Or: it made me laugh. Hard.
Go forth and do these things liberally:
• Promote others and awesome things they are working on oodles more than your own stuff. Oodles.
• Be supportive and empathetic. Pat people on the back.
• Make people laugh. But never at the expense of others.
• Always use spellcheck.
• Be genuine. It shows when you’re not.
My goal on Twitter is to amuse or educate. What’s yours?
I agree.
Though I must quote Merlin Mann (and give @jaredamay credit for he sends this to me twice a day):
@hotdogsladies: My Twitter Guide: 1. Be yourself 2. Try 3. Take breaks 4. Follow what you enjoy 5. Unfollow whatever tempts you to write a Twitter guide
I follow #5 religiously.
This is fantastic. I think we’re all guilty of a little of this. But keeping it in check is what counts. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Nancy! I think so, too, re: guilty. I sure am!
Yeah, I love @hotdogsladies and RTed that post from Mr. Mann a few weeks back. So funny and totally awesome! Unfortunately in my line of work, I’m not afforded the luxury of only following what I personally “enjoy.” Would be nice, though. Dreamy, in fact.
Thanks for commenting.
I love this. (I’ll admit, I have done a few of these.) I don’t think people realize how easy it is to come off as purely self-promotional and “OMG look at ME;” this list is a great way to make sure we’re all keeping ourselves in check. Keep up the great posts!
LOVED this! THANK YOU for the points on retweeting all your mentions and the #ff. I do not understand #ff. If someone is funny or interesting enough to the point where I feel like more people should follow them, I’ll retweet said funny or interesting tweets from them –> aka, Show, Don’t Tell. As for retweeting all your mentions? I rarely follow anyone (or keep following them) because they’re A Big Deal. Humility is much more attractive.
Thanks, Amber! I appreciate your thoughts so much. Glad you liked it.