I’ve learned a thing or two tweeting. I’ve learned more from Twitter by reading others tweets. Ultimately the benefit of Twitter will be determined by the quality of content. Twitter users have the ability to control what content shows up on their Twitter feed by choosing who’s tweets to follow. Followers follow for a reason. Once the Twitter buzz is gone your success on Twitter will be solely determined by the content you tweet. Those who follow you will continue to do so because you are tweeting tweets worth reading.
Make sure your tweet is relevant, funny, informative, interesting, engaging, or original before you hit “Send”.
relevant
Does anyone enjoying being around the person who says every single thought that pops into their head? The person who Tweets everything they think isn’t any different. When you tweet, make sure it will be worth reading. You obviously think it’s worth typing but stop and ask yourself if it is something another would want to read.
funny
If you’re not going to provide me with some type relevant information you better make me laugh. Unfortunately there are only a few funny people on Twitter. Christopher Walken is, BY FAR, the funniest. There are plenty of people who think they’re funny (I’m just as guilty as the next) but only manage to become painfully obnoxious.
informative
Sending Tweets is a horrible way to combat boredom. When you’re bored you’ll start searching for something to tweet. When that happens, you don’t tweet anything worth a damn. Tweet about the things you know, understand and have some level of expertise in. Also, when you tweet a link or URL provide as much information about the link when you send it. Rarely will someone click on a tweet link without some idea of what is going to be on the other end.
interesting
Most people would rather talk about themselves than you. The same applies to Tweets. If you’re sending something that is simply about you, unrelated to anything other than an “I am/have/just…” statement chances are 99.9% of the people who will read it, won’t care. When followers don’t care about what you’re tweeting, they’ll soon become unfollowers. This applies to celebrities too. Andy Dick is a great example of random, unless, uninteresting tweets. Chris Cornell and John Mayer both have tweets worth reading.
engaging
Do you spend a lot of time talking to yourself in a room full of people? I hope not. If so, you have much bigger problems and you should get off your computer and go meet some people you can actually interact with. When you don’t interact with your followers or those that you follow on Twitter you’re essentially talking to yourself in a room full or people. Answer others questions. Ask questions of your followers. Interact with others. Make Twitter useful.
original
Do the majority of your tweets start with “RT”? Do your tweets all end with (via @…)?. As soon as those reading your “RT” catch on, they’ll follow the actual source or original information and leave you behind. RTs aren’t bad. In fact they’re very helpful when the content being sen on can be classified as funny, relevant, information, or engaging. When you RT add your own thoughts to help your followers know why you’re sending this to them.
These are the guidelines I’ve tried to follow when tweeting. Before you send your next tweet ask yourself if what your about to send can be classified in at least one of these categories.
Follow me (@gscottinc) on Twitter. I’ll do my best to provide tweets worth following.