The top 7 mistakes new Twitter users make
Monday, March 09, 2009
Not completing a bio
The cardinal sin of most new Twitter users is not filling out the small but important section that says a bit about who they are. It could be a simple as a name (or a clever alias for the secret agents or painfully shy) or even just a sentence or two. If your goal is to get the conversation going — which is the point of Twitter after all — a bio can be the icebreaker.
Protecting updates, but complaining about no followers
There are a few reasons to keep your updates private: not wanting to share your personal business with the world, thwarting spammers, etc. But many twitterers forget that by blocking updates from public view, they are also blocking potential followers. It's a give and take situation, so you gotta give a little to get something back.
No updates, but complaining about no followers
It's one thing to protect your updates, it's another to not have any updates at all. Complaining about not having followers in this instance is like walking into a party, not speaking to anyone, and then complaining about how terrible the party is.
Entering an incorrect URL in your profile
Twitter allows users to add a web address to their profile, which can be their website, blog, or other social networking profiles. Many potential followers click on this link to get a better idea of who the person is. Don't miss an opportunity by entering a typo in this field (e.g. htp:/reporterwordpress.com) or by adding more than one address in a single line (http://reporter.wordpress.comwww.cnn.com)
Making the text unreadable
Because Twitter allows users to create their own color scheme, some make quirky, cute, or even garish color choices. Most are okay, except for those who choose dark text on a dark background, making potential followers strain to read the page. Remember, it's no use completing a bio if no one can read it.
Going into RSS/Twitterfeed overload
While it is true that some people are starting to use Twitter in lieu of an RSS reader, the sure way to garner complaints and/or unfollows is to make your Twitter feed identical to your RSS feed. Your blog/site may be awesome, but the point of Twitter is to stimulate conversation.
No avatar
Nothing says "I'm a new Twitter user who hasn't quite figured this thing out" like a default Twitter avatar. An avatar is a brief glimpse into the person behind the tweets, so be sure to make it special.
Also on 10,000 Words
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• How to analyze your Twitter followers and friends
• 10 Journalists you should follow on Twitter
Labels: social networking
56 Comments
PepGiraffe Says:
Yeah, the smartest thing that Twitter did was to make the default avatar ugly as hell. Definitely made me want to change it immediately.
Barbara Ling Says:
Also rack up there not having a Twelcome page as your Twitter website link (a page on your site that is twitter-oriented but gives a warm welcome to your visitors). I've found that to be most useful indeed (read about it from from http://twitter.com/pistaschio ).
Says:
No. 4 isn't valid anymore. Twitter IS slowly converting into an IM, and longer discussions between two or even more people become more and more normal.
Maria Says:
Great list. All valid points.
I might add "tweeting mostly about Twitter" to this list. Sometimes I feel like saying, "Yeah, you're finally on Twitter. Now get over it."
I might add "tweeting mostly about Twitter" to this list. Sometimes I feel like saying, "Yeah, you're finally on Twitter. Now get over it."
Kiwipuer Says:
My son sent me this list and it's great guidance for a new Twitterer, so thanks. I'm off to finish my bio:-)
Margaret Staples Says:
thanks for the tips. I had already caught on to most of them, but had overlooked my blank one line bio. I am bio-ed up and ready to Twitter ;)
Scott Moroney Says:
I would say the #1 mistake Twitter users make is not watching the video to learn how to use it.
Great discussion.
http://scottmoroney.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/the-1-twitter-mistake.html
Great discussion.
http://scottmoroney.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/the-1-twitter-mistake.html
Patrick Burke Says:
All newbies on Twitter are not aware of sites like tinyurl.com, where they can maximize their 140 character limit by minimizing their posted url.
Says:
I'd like to add to the list not to tweet about what you're eating/how you're feeling. I don't think anyone on twitter really cares. (This may apply to non newbies as well.)
al4ie Says:
The biggest mistake, actually? Not actively following others withd shared interests. That's the thing which *actually* gets people involved.
Oliver T. Hellriegel Says:
Very good article! Maybe you should add "Stop tweeting about twitter" ;-)
Jen Says:
I would add one more: exclusively tweeting things like "Picking the kids up from school" and "I need a coffee".
Whilst these updates might be interesting for family and friends, I'm not interested in following people that have nothing more to say.
At the end of the day, most of us use Twitter as a give-and-get tool and I don't see how I can benefit from the knowledge that X is having a cup of tea...
Whilst these updates might be interesting for family and friends, I'm not interested in following people that have nothing more to say.
At the end of the day, most of us use Twitter as a give-and-get tool and I don't see how I can benefit from the knowledge that X is having a cup of tea...
Magpie_Guy Says:
I would add
(8) Don't keep ask celebrities inane questions like "what are you doing today?"
I'm sure they will tell us if they want the twitter-kingdom to know without being prompted!
Magpie_Guy
(8) Don't keep ask celebrities inane questions like "what are you doing today?"
I'm sure they will tell us if they want the twitter-kingdom to know without being prompted!
Magpie_Guy
Lisa Logan Says:
I'd like to add to the pantheon Mistake Number Eight: Using Auto-DM's. Nothing annoys me more than getting a DM (that I may have had to pay for, since DM's are sent to my cell phone where I pay per text), only to respond to the message and have the sender go deer in the headlights on me, because they can't even bother to remember what their bot is sending out.
Heikki H Says:
My number one mistake so far was trying to use Twitter.com to use Twitter! Simply put, it's not very good.
Many sites are building on the API, and for a very good reason.
Many sites are building on the API, and for a very good reason.
Glen Persson Says:
I'd have to say Tweeting about what you are doing now...is really silly???Like WHO cares??? Unless you are showing off a website or product...simply telling the world you are now taking a crap...is useless?
Rich Tucker Says:
A top Mistake new users make is that they give up. They need to find 20 people who share a common interest and connect with those people and then start growing from their...too many people write a few tweets without following anyone and then give up on it. You have to Follow, Listen, Learn, and then add value....and do not give up with only a couple of Tweets. @RichTucker @CruiseSource
molly Says:
another thing people do, myself included, is shameless self promotion over and over again.
jen Says:
Also - please do not tweet every song you are listening to on blip.fm or other music service. That's an easy unfollow for me.
What the frak?! Says:
Yeah, I am just getting onto Twitter this week.
Honestly I felt pretty tech savvy before, but this thing is just amazing/addicting.
Honestly I felt pretty tech savvy before, but this thing is just amazing/addicting.
Jake Birkett Says:
Phew looks like I'm on the right track then 7/7! Good tips though and reassuring.
Unconcerned Citizen Says:
Hello. I am Unconcerned Citizen and I approve of your Tweeter Tips. Thank you very much.
Optimistically pessimistic,
Mister_UC
Optimistically pessimistic,
Mister_UC
eberlingeri Says:
8) Following tweeps just 'cause they followed you.
As many have commented so far, follow people that share your interests and connect with them.
As many have commented so far, follow people that share your interests and connect with them.
kalany Says:
You're making some interesting assumptions about why people use twitter. I don't think any of these are *mistakes* if you use twitter differently.
Personally, I use it to keep in touch with a small group of personal friends, and to update them with how I'm doing. If other people want to follow me, that's great. If they don't, that's also great. I have no desire to use it as anything else.
Personally, I use it to keep in touch with a small group of personal friends, and to update them with how I'm doing. If other people want to follow me, that's great. If they don't, that's also great. I have no desire to use it as anything else.
rwsansom Says:
I have to say lack of "respect", "courtesy", and "friendliness" is another mistake many people make
Peter Says:
So far, I have tried to be more sociable (with value added) and less self-promoting, but feedback to my social 60+ tweets has been limited. I guess this is the time to keep on & use more keywords.
Michele Says:
This is great!! Thanks for the Twitter tips. I am brand new to this and having these tips can really make my start a lot challenging.
I am a student at Rasmussen College and I blog about Student life and personal life. I have been searching for something likes this for over a year now - Trying to find some good interaction with others - events, life, etc. Thanks for your help and I look forward to using Twitter!
Please check out my blogs at Rasmussen College - I love having visitors and any feedback on blogs is always welcome.
Michele
http://www.rasmussen.edu/blogs/Micheles-Blog.aspx
I am a student at Rasmussen College and I blog about Student life and personal life. I have been searching for something likes this for over a year now - Trying to find some good interaction with others - events, life, etc. Thanks for your help and I look forward to using Twitter!
Please check out my blogs at Rasmussen College - I love having visitors and any feedback on blogs is always welcome.
Michele
http://www.rasmussen.edu/blogs/Micheles-Blog.aspx
JRandal Says:
When including a link don't just say, You gotta see this! Tell what it is you want us to click on. Ex.: Read this article on curtain-hanging with your teeth. That gives me incentive, or not, to click.
pattydeboun Says:
I stopped following several for posting so much bs that my page was full when ever I clicked on Twitter. Better now that I un followed them
Todd Says:
I think it needs to be clarified that there are "mistakes" and there are "preferences." While it's true that no one wants to follow anyone who *only* tweets about what they're eating or listening to, getting occasional updates from friends or people that I only really know through Twitter might enlighten me to a new band or restaurant. I think it's lame to try to put rules on what people are saying -- if you don't want to listen, just unfollow them. There are numerous ways to enjoy and utilize Twitter, so please don't assume that *your* way is the only way.
Says:
Twitter is nearly worthless as a marketing tool.
I see more and more people using Twitter for instant messaging conversations.
I see more and more people using Twitter for instant messaging conversations.
Carol Wingert Says:
I never follow ANYONE who has there profile protected. I hit the delete button immediately!
What are they hiding from, or do they think they are SO important?
Carol Wingert
www.carolwingert.com/gift
What are they hiding from, or do they think they are SO important?
Carol Wingert
www.carolwingert.com/gift
Says:
First of all twitter usernames with more than 3 numbers, red flag for me. It's 2009 and with new words being added to the dictionary all of the time you'd think we can all come up with creative names, who's with me? lol.
Second of all having a low tweet count for the hour/day/month. For example if I visit someone's page and I see their last tweet was a month ago, its a maybe I'll follow if I find them interesting but doubt it...but if they are interesting and tweet often every hr lets say then that means they keep my homepage fresh constantly stimulating to me, I'm creative and so just browsing their tweets it helps me out.
Not sure if you all feel the same way but at least this is what does it for me =)
- Meli
http://twitter.com/mindfulMeli
Second of all having a low tweet count for the hour/day/month. For example if I visit someone's page and I see their last tweet was a month ago, its a maybe I'll follow if I find them interesting but doubt it...but if they are interesting and tweet often every hr lets say then that means they keep my homepage fresh constantly stimulating to me, I'm creative and so just browsing their tweets it helps me out.
Not sure if you all feel the same way but at least this is what does it for me =)
- Meli
http://twitter.com/mindfulMeli
Eyebee Says:
Use the phone instead? You mean call someone and speak to them? Heck, that's so 20th century.
Seriously though, my Blackberry is my pocket PC really. I make about an hour of calls a month on it!
Seriously though, my Blackberry is my pocket PC really. I make about an hour of calls a month on it!
M Says:
I think that in 100 years from now none of this will make any difference. Seriously. Twitter is for fun but also for some profits.
I follow anyone that seems interesting But you're right. No avatar? If you take the time to create an account, take 30 seconds to upload a graphic even if it's a stock photo.
I follow anyone that seems interesting But you're right. No avatar? If you take the time to create an account, take 30 seconds to upload a graphic even if it's a stock photo.
Hagope Says:
The biggest Twitter mistake is none of the above. It comes from Facebook users who login to Twitter and begin there tweets with "is", such as, "is taking a nap..." See it all the time.
michael Says:
I see where these could be some major problems for the new users of twitter. Here you have a list of some really good tips to keep from making the same mistakes.
Thanks
Follow me on Twitter @michael_37
Creating More Than Just a Tweet-
and please read http://creatingmorethanatweet.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Follow me on Twitter @michael_37
Creating More Than Just a Tweet-
and please read http://creatingmorethanatweet.blogspot.com/
dirtyboyragz Says:
I would like to say to Glen Pearson who said said who cares?? it's silly?? about tweeting about what you are doing. THATS WHAT IT IS FOR. It even say's it right on the page.. a answer to the old question what are you doing? That is actually exactly what twitter was created for. Perhaps you are using it for different outlets and do not care but in actuality, twitter is simply for leting people know what you are doing! Go to myspace or something.
La Casa Mexicana.us Says:
When I go through my list to do a routine unfollow, no avatar tweeters are the first to go. So, PLEASE put something there so that you look like an active REAL person and not a forgotten account or a spammer.
Excellent article.
I'd like to add another EXTREMELY common mistake which are auto DMs that mean nothing or try to advertize to me.
Excellent article.
I'd like to add another EXTREMELY common mistake which are auto DMs that mean nothing or try to advertize to me.
Says:
I've solved all my Twitter problems.
Do not use it now, and have no intention of ever useing it.
Do not use it now, and have no intention of ever useing it.
dean martin Says:
I don't have a tweeter account yet but as I read this tips and the comments, I have learned a lot about it. I'm on my way for tweeter. Thanks for these tips guys. Happy tweeting!
Says:
Seriously? How arrogant are these comments. Twitter is whatever you want it to be. You can follow or unfollow whoever, whenever, wherever. Do not preach to other tweeters what you do or do not want to read. Your views may not be anything like other people's views. Twitter was designed to TELL PEOPLE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. If you want to do it in a different way than others, great. But don't tell them they're tweeting 'wrong' because it doesn't fit how you want to read them.
Wow, serious arrogance around here. :-/
Wow, serious arrogance around here. :-/
March 10, 2009 3:47 AM