Twitter is an ever evolving tool – new ways to use, participate and collaborate are being created every day. We all know how to use twitter, or at least we think we do. But like any tool, as it becomes more and more mainstream, the ideals of the tool tend to get lost.
Whether you are just starting with Twitter or have been using it for months, these few tips and techniques from design to the not-so-basic basic will help (all in under 140 characters each of course!)
Bio/Design
- Avatar. Of you. Your face. Recent. Helps to make a connection. Trust me.
- You’re not really boring. So fill out your bio. If you are really boring & have nothing to put in a bio, why would want to tweet?
- Oh, and put in a link. Not to Myspace. Or Facebook. Or Blip.fm. A website, preferably YOUR website.
- A custom background shows us who you are. Be interesting, share something. That’s the point.
Tools
- No matter what tool you use, make sure it works for you or it doesn’t actually work
- Tools will make twitter easier and more efficient. They don’t make you a better tweeter
- Share tools you find with the rest of the community
Twetiquette
- RT’s don’t have to be thanked, but there is nothing wrong with doing it.
- You might be a spammer if you claim you can make people millions by sitting on a couch doing nothing
- You might be a spammer if you still have the stock avatar, no custom background, and no biography
- If someone sends you a DM, do not reply in the public stream
- If you wouldn’t yell it in the middle of a conference, don’t tweet it, DM it
Not so Basic Basics
- Block. Use it. Seriously! Spammers get punished w/points against them when you do. Awesome!
- 2000 limit doesn’t exist as long as your follower/followee ratio is almost 1:1
- If you think you’re an expert, don’t tell us in your bio, show us by your tweets.
- Twitter is a conversation; it involves sentences, questions and answers. Not just statements
- Protecting your updates is like going to a party and not talking to anyone.
Remember, the inherent goal of twitter is to listen, share and connect. Make sure that you’re doing all 3 and you’ll survive the stream.
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Comments For This Article So Far
May 18th, 2009
Great post. I agree with everything except for the first point maybe, a face vs. an image. I use my logo on my Twitter (And everywhere else) because I’m building the brand, not myself.
I know Twitter is made for conversations and to be personal, and while a person can probably do that easier than a brand, there’s no reason a brand can’t do it as well. I want people to recognize my logo and associate any positive thoughts with it. :)
May 19th, 2009
Michael,
Thanks for your thoughts on the post. I do agree that a brand logo can be used, but I prefer a combination of image/brand if it’s going to be used. For example, @scottmonty on Ford uses his brand in the corner of the picture. It enables people to see him, but people also realize that he is talking as the brand. It is a great combination of business and personal.
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