It's been well over 6 months since I put together a whimsical Twitter form-guide post. So, thought I'd give the original one a 2011 makeover. Let's face it, half a year is a life time on the SM landscape . . Oh, and feel free to add some more of your tips to the comment mix. Look on this post as an SM community service . . . .
NOBODY'S PERFECT . . . We've all been guilty of the odd Twitter faux pas. ALL of us. While many are still navigating ways around it, some are still working out what works and what doesn't work for them. Do you want to be a player or an observer?
Is it a 100% work and marketing tool? Is it a way to get your website or blog read? An avenue to get your good deeds out to the world? A way to promote (or maybe placate) your employer? Flog a product? A way to share interesting links and info to like-minded people? A tool to vent your spleen or take part in live event commentary?
ONE BIG DRINKS PARTY . . . . How you use Twitter is up to you (and once you do actively take part, it is a commitment) but the general consensus is that you should think of the forum as one giant cocktail party. You can dip in and out of conversations. You can duck out to the loo. Go and get another round of drinks. Move onto someone else. Even leave without saying goodbye.
You need to be pleasant but if you have a strong or opposing opinion on something, say it the same way you would to that person's face. That's what you would do at a party or a pub, isn't it? So, if you're legless and start throwing the vitriol around, step away from the tweet.
Many of us have been on Twitter long enough now to be able to sit back and take an overview. We can all pinpoint the nit-picky things that some of us do, and don't do. Basically the things which really piss people off.
There are lots of books, websites and social media experts out there who have handed down their official guidelines, but after canvassing fellow tweeters, here are a few pet peeves . . . and some pleasing moments too.
THE GOOD AND THE BAD . .
*Many tweeters don't understand why someone would use a DM to say something pleasant to someone else. Why not express it on the public stream? If it is a thank-you or a positive comment, why DM it? Shout it to the world.
*Many can't understand when fellow tweeters never respond, especially after they have put a question out there. You've answered it (and even go on to ask them a question) but they just ignore you. Sure, someone with 100s of thousands of followers would need a full time ghost to answer every bloody query, but if you ain't one of those, most think it is bad form to be ignored. We've probably all done this, but consensus is that it gets time-consuming to reply a 'thanks' to every reply you get. And remember that we all can't expect immediate response as there are other elements in every tweeter's life.
*From @MaggieA: "I hate it when someone quotes your original concept and only credits you with a VIA! It's a re-tweet!" So very true, Maggie Alderson. (Further research found that some mobile apps use a "via" as an RT.)
*This is a popular one: When people interrupt a twitter conversation that others are having (and that they haven't been part of from the start) it feels like they are cutting into a private chat. I've done it. And god, the atmos could be cut with a knife.
*Most say they dislike it when people RT without attributing; loathe getting foursquare location updates in their stream; are not always into people who RT a #FF and dislike tweets from people talking about how shit house or busy their lives are. Others don't like it when a personal-praising tweet is RT-ed, by the person being praised.
*There is not much space for big comedy in 140 digits, so it's often best to leave jokes to those who do them well. Comedy/irony/cynicism often comes from the most unexpected places, so if you think yours works, go forth. Avoid emoticons when you can. Not too popular, so I am told. *Do we really want to know the mechanics of where blah-blah is meeting blah-blah for dinner? We're thrilled to be given a verdict on an actual meal or a venue recommendation, but the taxi pick-up time and frock choice holds little interest.
*Spelling and grammar are peeves ('there, they're and their', are perfect examples) as are junk DM's (tedious) and feel-good auto quotes. *Another negative seems to be people who use those websites to 'up' their 'followers' quota. Remember, it is quality and interactive quality, rather than quantity that really matters on the big T.
HASHTAGS . . . These have become a small bone of contention, for some . . . to hash or not to hash. If the hash tag subject matter is of potential general appeal, then go for it . . . a current news story, politics, a tv show (#qanda is perfect example), a band, a song, celeb, or a short saying that has become part of a current vernacular (eg, #winning) then yes, also go for it. But, if your hash tag is just an inane thought that just wasn't going to fit into the rest of your 140 length tweet, then I'd have second thoughts. Often a hash tag like #iwasthinkingofgoingbutthoughbetterofit just wont be understood by anyone else . . . apart from, perhaps, one other person. And 2 hash tags is about the max for a tweet . . forget throwing 4 hash tags into one train of thought . . .
OVER TO YOU . . . . Ok, sure. We'll all continue Twitter hiccuping (a lot) and we won't all agree with all of the above, but that's why we love it. So, send through some more peeving and pleasing moments so we can add to the list. (Oh, and you can follow me @melissahoyer . . . )
3 comments:
It is indeed a big long party or in my opinion, like the staff room at schools where I've worked. You join in a convo that sounds interesting .. Tweet a comment.. Nothing! Maybe look later . Ok .. I am boring.
I used to get despondent over this perceived rejection until I was told unlock your account! with a locked account only ppl who follow you can see tweets! So, unlocking has scored me some attention.
I now join in convos where I am familiar with topic & have something worthwhile to add. Or I may just praise or say something sweet.
What I have learned, and learned well that all the emoticons in the world can't save you if a tweet is perceived negatively or gives offense. My bad..not now
Welcome newbies. I felt lonely & was encouraged by tweeps who'd followed me to start me off.. They told their friends to follow me
Don't identify places or people Or circumstances unless there is a pertinent reason - keep DMs for those
No no for me is the tweep who seeks attention.
"oh no". Eg no explanation .. Wants ppl to ask
"gee I wish I knew what to do" same!
My contribution!
I use bad grammar,always interrupt convos -heck if its private why u haveing it on twitter. I RT without comments sometimes because the tweet is too damn good on its own it doesnt need a comment.I think Im a comedian most days so I always tell bad jokes.
My belief is if people dont like who you are they can unfollow. Use twitter world whatever way you like, be it to vent,promote,joke, just RT,raise funds, do what works for you cause somewhere out there amongst the 200millions tweeps theres a brother or sista that luvs your tweet way just the way it is. Twitter has brought me amazing friends, abundance of business & constant laughter. Have fun with it.Gotta go tweet,Ciao.
I really like the cocktail party theory.
My tip is sort of something you've touched on. If you guys are meeting at 6pm at a particular bar etc etc, perhaps arrange all that stuff via email or DM's. In private.
I totally freaking love twitter but it is also a massive time suck. So useful but just like highschool, has the ability to make you feel locked out or unloved which is RIDIC!
Loved this.
@Bern_morley on twitter
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