Complete Guide to Twitter Etiquette
Basic Twitter Etiquette
Getting started on Twitter may look like a monumental task, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be breezing along and reaping the benefits of an expanded social media profile. However, there are some basic guidelines of being a good Twitter citizen, and by following them you’ll reap the benefits of a positive Twitter experience.
Here are some basics Twitter tips for the newcomer:
- Twitter is an interactive social media. This means it’s not all about YOU. Interact with other people, don’t just post about you, you, you. Not only is this directly against what Twitter is all about, it will get you ignored quickly.
- If you wouldn’t say it out loud at a dinner party, chances are you shouldn’t say it on Twitter, either. Remember, there is a wide variety of people on Twitter, and some subjects are just not appropriate. Be personable, and know your audience and what they will tolerate.
- Don’t spam your followers with a barrage of sales Tweets. You may have a product or service to promote, but posting every two minutes about it will help you lose every single one of the people who have taken the time to follow you. If they wanted a constant barrage of commercials they’d be watching network television.
- Be polite. Don’t pick a fight, and refuse to engage if someone starts one with you. The beauty of Twitter is you can unfollow unpleasant people with a simple click of a button. Twitter is not the venue in which to argue, and all it does is make your followers uncomfortable. Take it outside.
Follow back – if someone has taken the time to look you up and follow your Tweets, it means they saw something interesting and wish to get to know you better. Return the favor. You will meet some fascinating people, and a follow is not necessarily a concrete contract if you find that after all, you don’t have anything in common.
- Share information and offer value, don’t just lurk quietly and keep to yourself. Again, Twitter is an interactive social media platform, and conversing with your fellow Tweeters is key. Share links, tips, and information about subjects with which you’re familiar. Comment on the information shared by others, and re-tweet what appeals to you for your followers. Fellow Tweeters will return the favor, expanding your Twitter network.
Using common sense and courtesy goes a long way in the Twitter universe, similar to what happens in real life. Be polite, don’t spam, and be yourself to maximize the benefits that Twitter has to offer. The best way to put it is, imagine you were attending a party with people you’ve never met. If you behave the same way you would at this party, your Twitter experience should be informative, entertaining, and most of all, fun.
Twitter Etiquette For The Professional
Maintaining a professional presence on Twitter is a little different than just letting your personal alter-ego fly by the seat of his pants. What you want to do is establish a level of trust with your Twitter followers and yourself as a trustworthy and dependable source of information for your followers. This doesn’t mean you should be stiff – on the contrary, you want to appear approachable and friendly, but still retain your air of professionalism.
Here are some tips to establishing yourself as a professional on Twitter:
- Create an informative, engaging profile page. Include your contact information, and a place where potential clients and followers can get an idea of what you and your business are about. On your Twitter bio, you have 160 characters to make your case. It’s in your best interest to make them count, so if you’re stuck for words, hire a writer to help.
- Display your full URL or web address on your profile page. Shortened URLs are necessary when on Twitter, but on your profile page it looks like you’re hiding something. The complete address assures your follower or potential client when clicking on the link, they know exactly what they can expect.
- Verify the links you re-tweet. On Twitter, don’t ever pass on a link to a site you have not visited yourself. If your follower clicks on a link you have endorsed and it takes them to a dead site or worse, it will hurt your credibility and ultimately, your reputation and you’ll lose followers. Do your due diligence.
- By all means, share your product or service, but don’t spam your people. Your goal on Twitter is to establish your reputation as an authoritative source of information in your chosen industry, and using Twitter to Tweet exclusively about your product or service will only alienate the very people you’re trying to win over. Space out your information about your products among other valuable Tweets.
- Bulk automatic direct messages (DMs) are not a good idea. Most veteran Twitter users, when receiving an automated or “sales” DM, will immediately drop you and may block your Twitter stream entirely. They may complain on Twitter, and others will read their complaints and likely decline to follow you, as well. Save the DMs for personalized messages.
It’s important to maintain a business focus, but don’t let that prevent you from being personable and approachable. Remember, Twitter is a social media outlet, and the point is to interact with people. People are much more likely to do business with someone with whom they are familiar, and have gotten to know and trust. Following these simple guidelines will go a long way toward establishing you and your business as a force to be reckoned with in the ‘Twitterverse’.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by mashmoz: Complete Guide to Twitter Etiquette http://url4.eu/168XN…
Michael, this is a great post, I found it very useful. Thank you.
Thank you for stopping by
A very nice guide for the beginner and intermediate.
“Don’t spam your followers with a barrage of sales Tweets” excellent point!!
@dindasheeva Thanx for this Basic Twitter Etiquette @ http://www.webdoctus.com/2010/01/complete-guide-to-twitter-etiquette/
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Interesting, never thought of it like that
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@helengbeads try here: http://www.webdoctus.com/2010/01/complete-guide-to-twitter-etiquette/