Twitter Netiquette - Do's and Don'ts

Twitter is a social networking tool that has helped launch many businesses and grow business connections.  On the other hand, it can also hurt your business don't follow the rules of "netiquette."  Here are some DO'S and DON'TS to follow:

• Create a profile that reflects how you want your business to be perceived.
• Participate in conversations.
• Be a posting hog.  Some people log on to their Twitter account and post 20 consecutive messages at a time.  That takes up an entire viewable space for everyone else.
• Post relevant and interesting news about your business and link to it when it's appropriate.
• Abbreviate or use text chat too much.  You only have 140 characters, but omgroflttyl is way too confusing.
• Use hashtags (#) to tag posts.  Hashtags were developed as a means to create "groupings" on Twitter, without having to change the basic service.
• Automate your direct messages.  Your recipients will view this as junk mail.  If you choose to send direct message, please make them personal.
• Thank people for following you...privately.  Posting a series of "thank you's" to every new person who follows you takes up space and annoys people.
• Steal tweets.  If someone posts something interesting, RT - retweet it and give them credit.
• Keep your personal conversations personal.  DM - direct message - is there for a reason.
• Drag a post on for several consecutive tweets.  It will get too scattered and difficult to follow your train of thought.
• Take it personally.  People can and will unfollow and block you...it's okay.
• Know that you don't have to autofollow.  You're not expected to do so.  It's tough to form a connection with 5000 people.
• Know that you can block anyone you don't want to connect with - same for unfollowing.
• Ask people to RT your posts all of the time.  If it's worthy or retweeting, people will do it.
• SPAM
• Minimize URLs. This saves space and makes it easier to RT your post.

With the ever-evolving technology, there will always be changes in etiquette and the way we do things.  Stay true to your purpose for using Twitter.  Be considerate and professional and ALWAYS remember that what you put online does not go away.  If you aren't sure whether to post something or not...don't post it.