The One Where I Talk About Twitter

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?

Follow Friday

A well-known blogger had the idea to post Follow Friday recommendations to your blog to help clear out the Twitter feed a little bit and drive traffic to your site instead.  I've participated in #ff a couple of times, always listing people individually with specific reasons listed why I love their feed and think you'd like it too.  Since there are few things I dislike on Twitter more than a list of @s with no reasons why (I've literally NEVER followed someone from one of these lists),  I like this suggestion very much. So, first #ff list will be the people whose posts I never miss.  Sure there are people with billions of followers that I try not to miss but why would I list them here?  You're likely already following.  Next week, business related.  Then, maybe art/food/music/bikes/hilarity.....in no particular order.

@lotaleesparkman - She has a dreamy, other-worldly language all her own.  Most courageous person I know, bestie, and business partner of sorts.  Owner of paperlily design + photography.  Extraordinarily talented.  (Disclosure: most of the photos I will use are hers.  The thumbnail for this post is hers.  She loves toast.  Sometimes, we'll have chats 100 lines long about toast and toasters.  Overshare?  Maybe.  But it's toast.)

@brokenhalo - His brain is represented.  And it's a really good brain.  Tells great stories.  Consistently makes me laugh and I'm tough on funny.  He's a freelance writer, which means you can read more than 140 almost anytime.  Don't miss his wife's hilarity either - @misskittypryde.  The banter between them is snort-worthy.

@winnerbowzer - For her swears, both imaginary and real.  I am a swearer and her feed is cathartic.  New friend & cutie pie.

@dena33 - My share-a-brain.  Matching enthusiasm & passion. Publisher of @metromag, amongst others.  Between local hip-hop, food porn, paper pimping, and books, she's got me covered (and I, her).

@billybillybilly - My friends call him the only one of our parents cool enough to be allowed on Twitter.  My Dad.  And while he doesn't post too often, when he does, it's hilarious or very profound and educational.  Perfect balance.

Now you have my quick list.  Who are some of the people you never miss?