Top 5 Habits Of Bad Twitter Users.

Twitter is, at the end of the day, just another way to network, Whether that networking is social or business. It therefore follows that those same people that make you “tut” at networking meetings exist online as well, however it is very easy to fall into the category of one of these people without even realising it. So, to help you avoid this trap, and therefore to stop you annoying other users, here are my top five bad Twitter-habits, in the hope that you recognise and avoid them:

1) Using Twitter As An Online Advertising Billboard. I’ve spoken to people at networking meetings who barely even wait until they’ve shaken hands and introduced themselves to me before they’re throwing themselves into a sales-pitch for themselves and their work, and how it will be such a good idea to sign up to them right now. I’ve since grown out trying to be polite and steering the conversation, because it doesn’t work. I just walk away now. On Twitter, if I see someone’s updates are a constant stream of “this deal” or “this price” or “buy that product we’re selling” then I do the online equivalent of walking away: Unfollow. Twitter is a place to talk to people, so do that! If someone says something interesting, reply! Even if it’s just a “Haha”. That’s the point of social networking! Be friendly with people and form relationships, and occasionally mention a deal or promotion you have on, but don’t just sell sell sell.

2) Following Thousands Of People So Some Will Follow Back, Then Unsubscribing. This has a ring of point 1 to it, you’re signing up to follow people that are interesting to you, not for popularity. Also, it makes me think very little of a company when I see them follow me only to see that (a) they have nothing in common with me at all and (b) they follow thousands of people but have 7 followers. I know full well you’re not actively talking to all those people, so it’s obvious what’s happened. It might make you grin a little bit to see you have x-thousand followers, but if they’ve followed you purely out of some misplaced politeness, then what exactly have you achieved? It’s better to have a smaller core of people who actually want to speak to you than thousands of people who have absolutely no idea who you are among the thousands of people following them.

3) Stealing Content. Can you imagine thinking up a hilarious joke or witty anecdote and telling a crowd of people, only for one of them to go off telling others, claiming he thought of it? It’s the same as those who copy & paste content from others, instead of clicking RT. Don’t do it; you’ll only end up with annoyed messages and comments from the original authors about how bad it is that some people (you) can’t think of original content. Just click RT, it’ll go down well, you’re still sharing it, and hopefully when you do think of something brilliant, they’ll RT it for you.

4) Tweeting Three Times A Year. Friendships are all about consistency! Therefore, allocate some set time throughout the day to update your tweets, reply to people, and to update your presence. Like with traditional networking meetings, people will happily recommend the guy who turns up every week who they know well, and not so much that funny guy who is there when the month ends in “ber”. Our sister company, Ultimedia PR, get around this nicely by tweeting one morning a week about their PR Surgery: a hashtag where people can ask them questions on PR and Marketing. This means that they’re regularly and consistently communicating.

5) Ultimate Sin: Be Rude To People. Why would you go onto Twitter, as a professional, and be rude and insulting to others? Why would you counter an incorrect assertion with derogatory comments about the poster? If someone’s wrong, explain why. Don’t call them names. I’ve not only blocked people who have done this, but I’ve gone out of my way to tell others about what they’re like on-line, which has almost certainly resulted in lost business, and definitely resulted in a damaged reputation. If you don’t like someone, unfollow them. Can you imagine someone throwing a fistful of obscenities at another in a meeting? Don’t do it on-line.

 

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