It’s the age of social media and online networking. Now, not only is the internet a global marketplace; it’s also a global restaurant, bank and even fighting ring. Social networks such as Facebook, Google+, and more popularly Twitter are used by young people around the world for various interactions. Twitter is more popular, because it is a micro-blogging site; you can update your status i.e. tweet every few seconds ( imagine how crazy you’d look doing that on Facebook). For this reason, youths around the world have grabbed the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions with other people. Now sometimes, this is not always a good idea (remember the days of Odinabarbie). So here, I’m going to school you on twitter etiquette; what to do and what not to do.
1. Keep Facebook out. Facebook is a totally different and more personal site than Twitter is. So be sure not to mix up the 2. Don’t discuss personal topics and release information you don’t want strangers to see. Linking your Facebook account to your Twitter may not be such a good idea.
2. Easy on the Re-tweet Button. So anytime someone says something nice about you, you re-tweet and favourite? Stop it. It’s really the same thing as bragging, people are going to get tired of you blowing your trumpet.
3. Use Hash-tags Properly. All around my twitter, I see meaningless hash-tags and topics. Hash-tags were designed to create awareness about pressing issues, or to get people to participate in a trending topic. Typing #ImFreshLIkeThat or #FineGirlNoPimples doesn’t cut it at all. Nobody wants to know about your mega awesomeness. #TheyJustDontCare.
4. 2 letters for 2-ways; DM! Don’t hold an entire conversation with someone else on your timeline. It’s just like having a phone conversation on loud-speaker in a crowded room. Direct messages were designed so that the 2 people involved can have their conversation in private; well, private until someone screen shots and twitpics. So be careful what you discuss on twitter.
5. Keep it simple. In the words of Mindless Behaviour, 140 characters is more than enough. You don’t need to write an epistle in two stretches before you make a point.
So next time you log in to twitter, be mindful of these tips. What else do you think should constitute twitter etiquette? Share your thoughts in the comments section.