5 Signs You’re Being A Twit on Twitter
Filed under Social Media
Are you a twit on Twitter?
What’s a “twit” anyway?
One definition of a twit is:
“a foolishly annoying person”
If you’re new to Twitter, it’s easy to get confused and be a twit rather than sending out a good tweet. Here are 5 signs to look out for:
1. You talk a lot–even shout–but never engage.
I’m certainly no guru, but I’ve seen so-called marketing and social media experts push out only their own tips, blog posts (both theirs and blogs they are mentioned in), and quotes – attributed to themselves. Ick.
Yes, it may make you look like an expert, but not a person. Think about what it’s like at a networking event. Would you just talk about you, you and you? How much business did you get?
If you keep tweeting information without interacting with other people on Twitter, you end up looking more like a robot than a human being. And everybody hates Twitter bots!
Sure, links to informative web pages are valuable and helpful. But allow us to get to know YOU, too. People buy from people long before they buy from a company. I want to find something in common with you. I want to laugh or cry with you. I want to connect and converse with you. Even if it’s just once every 10 tweets.
2. You’re not original.
Everybody appreciates getting retweeted. But do you find yourself ALWAYS just retweeting other people’s messages… and never coming up with your own?
If so, you are in effect hiding your real persona, your true self. Don’t! Do share with us your diverse interests. That’s what makes you interesting and somebody people will want to keep seeing on their Twitter stream.
The one thing that makes you different – maybe you’re also a triathlete, or a mom, or a painter – can be something that stands out for your potential client if they are also a triathlete, mom or painter. As Oscar Wilde said: “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”
3. You never link back to your site.
Of course we want you to be generous and help other people get exposure for their stuff.
However, Twitter is an effective marketing vehicle for your own site. Don’t be afraid or timid about sending your Twitter followers back to your own content and offers. After all, almost everybody on Twitter (and other networking sites) is marketing something. You wouldn’t be the only one, nor the first one.
Strive for balance:
valuable content + engagement + an offer to buy = sales
4. You have a silly Twitter handle and/or avatar.
How would you feel about following someone with a cartoon character, animal or cleavage on their avatar?
How about a handle with the words “sexy,” or “get rich”?
I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t follow those users! Neither would I take them seriously.
Here’s a better idea: use a nice, clear photo of you with a big smile. Studies have shown more people will follow you if you use a pleasant user photo.
As for your handle, use your real name or a variation of it. Remember to keep it short, as your username does take up some of the 140-character limit on each tweet.
5. You send automatic DMs and take your ego with you.
It’s not gracious to welcome your followers with this automatic message:
“Thanks for the follow. Please click on my site and buy something because I’m so cool.”
That’s a sure way to get your followers to automatically… hit the “unfollow” button.
Stop Being A Twit
The most important thing to remember, to avoid looking like a complete twit on Twitter, is to be yourself.
Give before asking (use the 80/20 rule), and have a clear strategy laid out.
This way, you won’t waste your–or anybody else’s–time.
What are your Twitter tips? Do share them below.
PS: Do you need help using Twitter and other social media in a strategic way to get more exposure, leads and customers for your business? If so, I hope you’ll consider getting my course, “Social Media for Beginners.” I teach the exact system I used to increase my list three-fold and bring an additional five figures to my income–all within the first year of using social media. Click here to find out more about it.
Image from Crestock Stock Photography
Elena Verlee is a serial entrepreneur, certified professional coach and PR professional.
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I’m here from your weekly “PR in your pajamas. I don’t think you used the word, “twit” etc too much. I can’t imagine anyone being offended by what you wrote. In fact I liked your article so much I may just “re-tweet” it.
Ha ha, Thanks so much Karyn! Glad you stopped by, it’s always nice to know my newsletters get read too!
Very practical advise. Thanks for making it all so clear! I’m retweeting and passing this along directly to a couple semi-twits that come to mind (in a nice way of course:)
Thanks Amanda – it’s all meant to help of course
Very clear and to the point as always, I thought it was perfect. thanx Elena
Brilliant article. I am quite new to Twitter, and was so worried about making the wrong first impression that I read quite a few books on Twitter and the etiquette surrounding Twitter before embarking on my journey. Unfortunately I only found you yesterday, otherwise would have come to you first!
Ha ha Vanessa! With Twitter, I just jumped in, made my mistakes and learned as I go. So I hope my article saved you some of that grief and learning curve. Thanks for sharing.