The Self Promoter
Some people join Twitter and have absolutely no intention of providing value or developing meaningful relationships.
They look for popular users and blast them with @replies about their own products and services.
I checked out one guy’s profile and he was doing nothing but sending self promotional @replies to me, Oprah and Barbara Walters. (Well, at least I was in good company.) 😉
This is NOT the way to use Twitter. To me, it’s even worse than e-mail spam. If you want people to notice you, create value and people will come to YOU.
It’s bad enough when people promote their site/service in every tweet, but to @reply someone with an unsolicited offer is taking it to a whole other level.
Not cool.
The Obsessive Compulsive Return Tweeter (O.C.R.T.)
This is the person who rarely (if ever) comes up with content of their own and spends most of their time on Twitter RT-ing what other people tweet.
Certainly nothing wrong with an RT every now and then, but if you really want to gain a loyal following, you should also work on generating your own content.
The Stalker
This person will do anything to make contact with you, even if that means @replying to you multiple times per day about absolutely nothing.
Occasional small talk on Twitter is fine. I’d like to think I’m a pretty friendly gal. However, 8 tweets in a row from the same individual asking personal, irrelevant questions is not. So stop.
(I’m not speaking from personal experience or anything.) 😉
Random Roger
Every now and then I get @replies from people I don’t know, about very random topics and articles. I’m not sure what the strategy is behind this, but it’s very odd.
Anonymous Andy
It’s 2009. So the I-don’t-have-a-digital-photo excuse doesn’t fly anymore. Unless you resemble the default icon Twitter provides (which is a whole other problem) ;), you really should take the time to add a picture or logo.
If you’re using Twitter for fun or personal reasons, that’s one thing, but if you are promoting a business you must pay attention to the smallest of details. Yes, even your Twitter icon (or lack of one) makes a huge difference.
The RT Begger
I don’t have a problem with people asking for a RT every now and then. If your tweet is useful, exceptional, or compelling, then it’s good to encourage people to spread your message once in a while.
However, adding “Please RT” to the end of every tweet looks a little desperate if you ask me.
Here’s the deal. If you tweet good stuff, many people will RT without you even asking. If your tweets are useless/boring, adding “Please RT” to the end won’t do you much good.
By the way, don’t forget to RT this post.
Just kidding. 😀
The one problem with ur blog is this. Before being able to leave ur own comment you have to stroll through 200+ others. I would just show the latest 5 comments and then give people the option to ” read more” it could really turn potential commenters off. Sorry if i’m making a fool of you
.-= Nick´s last blog … Nice for today with rainy weather by Wednesday and Friday =-.
hey lisa I just started google adsense and I want to thank you because you have inspired me to reach my peak in online marketing I have my own website can you please give me some advice on how to attract more visitors and increase cash flow on google adesense I read your bio and im willing to work hard and put in time for it just like you did
Last month I was looking for a good financial blogging forum for my daughter (who hates Twitter by the way). I was all excited to finally find one for her that we could follow on Twitter. Now I fell silly recommended it to her because every single tweet they send out starts with “PLS RT!” How lame. I don’t even want to visit their site links after seeing that. So if anyone knows of a financial blog or forum (not a news site) please let me know. Next time I will monitor their tweets for about a week before they get my recommendation.
Thanks Lisa, your blog is so much fun.
.-= Ileane´s last blog … Twitter meets Buzzom =-.
Your Right again Lisa. Luckily we haven’t experienced any stalkers, but alot of direct unrelevent messages from people we don’t or won’t ever get to know. http://leapbrowser.com
We have a direct link to http://2createawebsite.com on our home page for reference to beginners who need help with the Web.
.-= leapbrowser´s last blog … 27/05/2009 19:01:17 =-.
Loved this post, as well as the 5 other ones I just read one after the other because I couldn’t stop. Subscribed to your blog just now and looking forward to learning from you.
I love Twitter because it connects me with everyone I know in my special ADHD way. It’s just like going to a cocktail party where I’m talking with the interesting people, learning from them and also sharing what I know and what I’m discovering. I’ve made some connections with amazing people and strengthened some old connections as well.
Have you ever noticed that a person’s Twitter personality is a lot like their personality in “real” life? I try to keep it real everywhere I interact. Thanks for this post – I’ll share it with my friends who are just starting on Twitter.
Your label ‘The RT begger’ is quite creative and amusing! My first visit to your blog and have enjoyed your writing style as well as quality of content.
.-= Meam Wye´s last blog … Travels of Ibn Battuta =-.
No doubt! Spoken like someone who’s truly spent some time on Twitter. These fools are unavoidable, but I still find Twitter to be a valuable place to hang 🙂
.-= Christian´s last blog … Please Post Your Facebook and Twitter Profile Here =-.
Lisa,
this is a funny, but TRUE post. Good job!
I was just commenting the other day about how people will follow you, you in turn go to check out their profile and find that they have maybe 2 tweets alltime! Now they obviously have nothing to say, so why follow anyone?
Twitter, like real life, has many strange characters.
Thanks for this nice post, which I will RT because of it value 🙂
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog … 15 Blog Design Mistakes to Avoid =-.
How about the tweeter who details the minutia of life! With “walked the dog” “drank a cup of coffee” etc..
Great post.
I’ve gained alot from Twitter. I’ll post the occasional link.
But the main method I’ve benefited from Twitter is that I have contacts who work in the same field as I (web dev) and I see them post links to some latest technologies, methods, problem solving tips…etc.
At the same time though, I’ve noticed that some accounts ONLY seem to send links… some a bombardment of shrunken URLs.
Twitter is great to get to know people and share resources…. but can also be quite annoying at times.
.-= Yves´s last blog … Great internet research tool – Google Alerts =-.
I love my stalkers, LOL. There are the ones (always men) that just @CarlaRose and maybe a few other Tweeters and dont say anything. Nothing. I had this one guy repeat my name like 10 times in a Tweet and didnt say anything. I guess I can always block him if he gets too annoying.
All in all, I have met everyone you mentioned. Great post!
.-= Carla´s last blog … Two Great Green Living Blogs =-.
I really don’t use Twitter. I know that I should because I’m a tech but do we have to be everything new that comes out. I don’t understand how it works and better yet how to make it work for me.
.-= Kino´s last blog … The Benefits of IMAP =-.
I’m just starting out with Twitter and I certainly appreciate your many useful insights! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Enjoyable post that made me laugh and sigh in relief that I am not tweeting this way 🙂 Good stuff and deserves an RT 😉
Explain in more detail what a Random Roger is.:)
I guess I’m Andy
.-= Cash´s last blog … Cash37: I should have booked my travel in advance for #ase09 payed increased price.. but I know its going to be worth it! Let’s get it! =-.
I love the way you put it Lisa not sure I could have said it better myself. I know if I had tried it may have been a lot more pointed and I’m sure someone would have left my site with a bloody nose or a black eye…
I spent the weekend reworking my twitter account by getting rid of all the no pictures, porn and people that have nothing good to say and of course anything else that looked useless, I still have some more to go also installed tweet deck that’s pretty cool. Checking out Bubble tweets too that’s pretty cool for those of us that don’t mind the talking head video.
Here’s something everyone needs to take to heart about social media:
1. It’s just like going out to a social type outing where you would find people to meet. You wouldn’t walk up to everyone there and immediately ask them to buy from you so therefore don’t do it on twitter.
2. Think of all your social media usage like a date what would you do or not do on a first date if you decide that you want a second date I’m sure you wouldn’t conduct yourself poorly.
3. Just because we can hide behind a computer screen doesn’t mean we should act like an @$$ If you catch my drift.
4. Don’t say anything or post anything you wouldn’t want your tell your best friend… I was going to say your mom, but I don’t guess that works to well…
I do however think that Twitter and many of the others out there are a viable way to get traffic and customers.
I know that I get a lot of traffic from twitter, YouTube and a few others and surely wouldn’t want to have to start any of them over again.
And lastly but not leastly don’t forget that all of these fine sites we have at our disposal for finding new customers, subscribers and even friends all have buttons for reporting spam and buttons to block you if you don’t conduct yourself in a mannerly fashion.
If you want to try and sell people everything under the sun make sure that you have them at your house (your site) before you let lose with all of your recommendations to buy this or that.
Even this my have been a bit pointed…
Enjoy
Dave
P.S. I believe if you take the time to read a post you should be at the very least Tweeting, Digging, Stumbling maybe even a little Tumblr and Propeller Especially if you liked it and if it was that good write a comment.
.-= Dave Moore´s last blog … Internet Marketing Fairy Tales: EXPOSED! Part 1 =-.
I’ve meet them all! Great post.
100% correct and agreeable, we should follow these guideline to have a good experience on twitter
Before Twitter: Visits to blog in month 500.
After Twitter 8 months later: Visits to blog in month 3,500.
Works for me.
It does take time. Think of it this way. If you go to a party and sit in the corner, you are not going to meet anyone. But if you get up and mingle, you will meet a lot of new people and maybe make some friends along the way.
It’s even easier on Twitter since I can meet people without having to shower and shave=)
Good luck!
Mitchell
.-= Mitchell´s last blog … Coming Soon: Tournament Poker For Donkeys. Expert Strategy Guide For Players Who Want to Stop Losing! =-.
What a great blog you have Lisa. I have been reading this blog from quite sometime now (found it from Thesis video) and your content is always well explained and detailed.
A great post. I think you should clearly know why and how you want to use twitter otherwise you will end up wasting time and energy.
.-= Sohail´s last blog … How To Delete A Twitter Account =-.
I have been contemplating for a long time whether or not I should be more active with Twitter. I get hardly any traffic from it, but I can’t help but wonder if my traffic would increase from twitter if I were more active on it.
All of my tweets are blog updates, which is, so far, the only useful thing about twitter for me. I just don’t see the point in trying to have an actual conversation with someone there. I go to twitter because its a good place for me to get an update on all of the blogs/websites that I follow in one place, not to really socialize with other users. The service is very similar to blogcatalog.com for me.
.-= Sonya´s last blog … Jul 31, About me – why I started this site and how I’ll one daybe a stay at home mom. =-.
Hi Sonya
I guarantee you will get more use if you use it more. That’s exactly how I started. I only used it to announce my blog posts with Twitterfeed. For 9 months, this is all I did with Twitter. But once I started tweeting more and sending people to useful sites/articles and answering a question or two here and there things picked up.
People appreciate you taking the time to answer them and I’ve noticed that many of the ones I answer are the same people who decide to ReTweet my info and tweet about my websites. So definitely the more you use it, the more you’ll get out of it. It’s about finding the balance that works for you.
I agree with everything in this article. The most interesting thing is that I just published a very similar post named “5 Reasons Twitter Is Pointless”. I have been using Twitter less and less lately, and feel that I will eventually abandoned it for these reasons.
.-= Juscelino M. Acevedo´s last blog … 5 Reasons Twitter Is Pointless =-.
While there are some bad habits on Twitter, I haven’t come to the conclusion that it’s pointless. Despite the negative points mentioned above, there are actually many positives. I’ve been able to make new connections, answer quick questions (further building trust and connections) and the number of RT my posts have been getting are amazing. I also get a decent amount of traffic from Twitter. So even though things like spam can put a damper on the party, I’m not ready to leave the dance floor just yet. 😉
I can understand your point of view, however, Twitter does not work for everyone. In my opinion, it takes up too much time that I can put towards something else, plus I am not benefiting from it. I know it is a great resource for other, and maybe one day for me, but not at the moment.
.-= Juscelino M. Acevedo´s last blog … 5 Reasons Twitter Is Pointless =-.
Great post! Having a twitter presence is a super way to build relationships that will help your biz. You give good advice for ramping up your twitter personality! Take heed people 🙂
.-= Martha Giffen´s last blog … Rocky and Me =-.
People can be careful with who they start to follow, in order to see a minimum of spam. Unfortunately this has resulted in people using direct messages to spam instead. How do we solve it? Well, the only method I can think of is to block people using this method. Maybe use a big database which lists users that spam.
.-= Stefan´s last blog … How to Keep Track of Your Comments =-.