5 Things You NEVER should do on Twitter!

You’ve spent lots of time and effort crafting your online image and identity, you’ve built a good reputation and it can serve you well long into the future – unless you destroy it, something that can happen with a single tweet (as we have seen from several actors and politicians lately.

Here are 5 things to NEVER do on Twitter”

1. “T.W.I.” or Tweeting While Intoxicated. If you’ve had a few, you can do a lot more stupid things than calling your ex – you are likely to tweet less than brilliant ramblings filled with typos or worse, you may even be tempted to tweet your ex with secret confessions – for all the world to see.
2. Automate your Social Media. The key ingredient of social media is the social part – you can’t have a computer bot pretend to be you, YOU have to be you. This includes auto responders – it’s obvious to poeple who get them. Got a new follower? Unless you’re Lady Gaga, you DO have the time to send a quick “@_,Thanks” and demonstrate your good manners. The same applies to Repeat-Tweet, if you have a gem of a tweet that you want to put out there more than once, do it – a little differently each time. You’re making a point, not beating a drum.
3. Sell and Yell. If all you do is tell people how great your stuff is and why they should buy it, you’ll see your Twitter followers disappear like people abandoning a sinking ship. Twitter is for communicating, it’s for commenting, sometimes it’s just for carrying on – but it’s not for “selling and yelling” if it’s all about you, all the time, it’s a safe bet people will ignore you pretty quick. Give value : tweet stuff that matter’s to the people you’re connected with, if once in a while you have a special offer then make it – but make sure you’ve earned the right, earned the trust. Always remember; this isn’t broadcast, it’s social.
4. Re-Tweeting without Acknowledgement. If someone you follow on Twitter posts something particularly interesting or clever and you want to pass it on, or re-tweet it, then by all means do so, but acknowledge the source either by leaving the RT up front where Twitter puts it automatically or by adding “via @myFriend” at the end. If you pretend you thought it up, it’s like stealing – bad behavior! Acknowledging in the RT is the internet equivalent of applause, it’s flattering to the originator and helps build your community by showing that you care and share.
5. Dropping the “F Bombs”. Would you talk to your mother like that? If not, then spare Twitter foul language – nobody reads an expletive laden tweet and thinks “gee, they are so smart, I want to be like them!” (or do business with them) A possible exception is if you are a famous Rap Star or something, then you can get away with it – but you should be ashamed of yourself!

There are plenty of great things to do on Twitter, meet people, find information, learn stuff, share your expertise, build your Expert visibility, grow your connections (and your business) steer clear of these few potential pitfalls and let the Tweeting fun continue!

Mike Wolpert / Founder, Social Jumpstart
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