There’s no lack of advice on what to do on Twitter to gain more followers, offer better information, drive more traffic, etc. But about things not to do on Twitter? Here are some definite no-nos:
1. Repeat your Tweets several times a day. TwitterAddict Guy Kawasaki contends this is a good way to make sure your followers have a chance to see your updates but,that seems like a lame way to gain attention. If I want to see re-runs, it’ll be on TV – nothing like a old Seinfeld episode.
2. Auto-Follow. Following everyone who follows you, particularly if you use a third-party service to do it, is bad form. It’s not a numbers game, it’s about following people who are interesting, valuable, informative…or a friend.
3. Using profanity. If you want to swear, don’t do it on a public forum. For that matter, not swearing at all is a pretty good policy.
4. Excessively ReTweeting. A ReTweet here and there can be a good thing but constantly ReTweeting is annoying. It suggests that other peoples’ updates are a lot more interesting than yours and/or you’re not capable of original thought. Come on, how difficult can 140 characters or less really be?
5. Having an incomplete profile. If you really want to participate, let people know who you are: your name, a mini-bio and a URL go a long way in peeling back the onion, as well as validating your ID.
6. Self-Promotion: Twitter can be an effective marketing tool but it’s a different kind of marketing. It’s not just about blasting out your key messages; it’s about giving and taking. At the end of the day, a solid balance between give and take can be an extremely effective marketing approach.
7. Providing boring/inane personal details: Most people really don’t care your cat is sick, you have a hankering for a Starbucks cappuccino, or you’re feeling sluggish after not getting enough sleep.
8. Providing updates on where you’re located. E.g. Now at 123 Main St., Philadelphia, PA. For one, most people don’t care. Two, it seems a little 1984-ish to allow yourself to be tracked.
9. Over-Tweeting: If you’re doing more than 15 to 20 updates a day, you’re over-Tweeting and likely have too much time on your hands.
Anything else to add to the list – other than bloggers who create lists about things to do/not to do on Twitter?
This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.
Nine Things Not to Do on Twitter
There’s no lack of advice on what to do on Twitter to gain more followers, offer better information, drive more traffic, etc. But about things not to do on Twitter? Here are some definite no-nos:
1. Repeat your Tweets several times a day. TwitterAddict Guy Kawasaki contends this is a good way to make sure your followers have a chance to see your updates but,that seems like a lame way to gain attention. If I want to see re-runs, it’ll be on TV – nothing like a old Seinfeld episode.
2. Auto-Follow. Following everyone who follows you, particularly if you use a third-party service to do it, is bad form. It’s not a numbers game, it’s about following people who are interesting, valuable, informative…or a friend.
3. Using profanity. If you want to swear, don’t do it on a public forum. For that matter, not swearing at all is a pretty good policy.
4. Excessively ReTweeting. A ReTweet here and there can be a good thing but constantly ReTweeting is annoying. It suggests that other peoples’ updates are a lot more interesting than yours and/or you’re not capable of original thought. Come on, how difficult can 140 characters or less really be?
5. Having an incomplete profile. If you really want to participate, let people know who you are: your name, a mini-bio and a URL go a long way in peeling back the onion, as well as validating your ID.
6. Self-Promotion: Twitter can be an effective marketing tool but it’s a different kind of marketing. It’s not just about blasting out your key messages; it’s about giving and taking. At the end of the day, a solid balance between give and take can be an extremely effective marketing approach.
7. Providing boring/inane personal details: Most people really don’t care your cat is sick, you have a hankering for a Starbucks cappuccino, or you’re feeling sluggish after not getting enough sleep.
8. Providing updates on where you’re located. E.g. Now at 123 Main St., Philadelphia, PA. For one, most people don’t care. Two, it seems a little 1984-ish to allow yourself to be tracked.
9. Over-Tweeting: If you’re doing more than 15 to 20 updates a day, you’re over-Tweeting and likely have too much time on your hands.
Anything else to add to the list – other than bloggers who create lists about things to do/not to do on Twitter?