The Twitter Rant
Ya’ know what, this post…THIS post, has been a long time coming. It’s not the first of it’s kind, it sure as hell won’t be the last, but I’m going to do it anyway. Motivated by a Google+ conversation started by the cool dad blogger Jack, I’m going to finally let this one out.
Twitter is a Social Network aka a Networking Platform
Don’t mistake virtual platforms for a fantasy world. It’s not a bloody video game. The people are real. They have feelings. They’re looking to build their network and are excited to be able to do it outside their local area.
It’s a place to socialize where you can find like minded people to do so with.
Don’t abuse members to grow your numbers to stroke your ego or impress some advertiser. I understand if you need to build your network for financial reasons, but networking is a two way street man. One thing Jack and I both hate is when people follow you for the follow back and then unfollow.
Also, if you decide to follow me, please note, i don’t sit here waiting for new followers. I don’t keep an eye on the numbers. I can’t even tell you, off the top of my head, how many followers I have. So if you follow me, say hi. Don’t follow me, be quiet for 3 days, then get pissy cause i didn’t follow you back. I like people, I like connecting. Let me know you’re out there, I’ll respond. I’m not a bloody politician for goodness sake.
If I’m following you on twitter and you’d like me to check out your FB page or circle you, that’s cool, you can say it in the stream, or you can initiate the process and find me on those platforms and reach out to me there. No need to DM me. By the way, I hate FB so don’t even waste your time with that one.
Also, I’m totally loving those losers who send me DMs saying, “I’m sorry, I’ll have to unfollow you on twitter in 3 days if you haven’t liked my facebook page” Just don’t follow me if you’re going to give me a reason to unfollow you.
Twitter’s a place to have mini convos…
where you share what’s going on, what you find interesting, what you think others will find interesting.
Having a convo in twitter is like having a convo in the local pub. People will overhear, someone may think your convo is interesting or funny or can maybe relate to what you’re saying and jump in. It’s to be expected, it is a public place. Want to have a private convo? Get a bloody room or at least learn to DM.
It’s a place to share thoughts, ideas, tips…
yes it’s okay to share your posts cause i know i like finding great posts in my stream that lead me to something entertaining, or a cause to help support, awareness of a matter at hand, a tutorial to help me out or a review of something i may find i want or know someone who can use it.
It is not a place to push your religious beliefs on me. I don’t mind the religious quotes and I actually like learning about other religions, so share something interesting. If what I say on twitter or if how I say offends you, there’s no need to fill the stream with religion based quotes about the nature of man along with threats to unfollow, just bloody unfollow me. Sheesh. And guess what? Ever tweet I see that bashes any religion, I’m going to report for spam and block your arse without even telling you.
Know what you’re tweeting.
I am a sponsored tweets member. Every so often you’ll see a sponsored tweet from me and it will be indicated as such with a hashtag. Yes, I like money. But you can bet your ass I’m careful about everything I tweet and I make sure to check out the link I’m sharing and sometimes I decline offers. Why? Because I will not share with my stream that which I can’t endorse. Simple.
I’m not a twitter Guru nor do I claim to know everything about anything. I’m a human. Who’s not a hermit. I know how to socialize and when I find the time to do so, I like it to be worth it.
Is there anything about twitter you’d like to rant about? Share it here!
photocredit: © Lorelyn Medina – Fotolia.com
Twitter is my favorite social medium and it’s one super fast conversation. I can’t say I have had some people come at me with unrealistic expectations, but I don’t follow everyone that follows me. I like following people with an actual blog, likeness with content and people that engage me in lite conversations. Plus if they have great content I usually follow back easily. I think those that are numbers-focused are newbies that don’t know any better.
I try and take that into consideration when asked about numbers and stats. Instead of answering with what they want to hear, I simply point them to articles I have read online that help get over that urge to spam. Good rant Vanita..you had me cracking up!
Sonia recently posted..Is Social Media Etiquette Something You Should Worry About?
thanks Sonia. and i totally agree with your method. you’ve got to follow those you’re willing and able to engage with, otherwise, what’s the point? and it’s not just the newbies, it’s the damn “experts” too.
I agree totally. You know what? Not so long ago people were talking of ‘On the internet’ and ‘Real Life’. People are people and should be treated as people.
(dofollow)
Now ‘The Internet’ indeed has become part of the so called ‘Real Life’ — the thin line disappeared. There is just real life now, on the internet and on the safe incognito internet. Incognito? Heh.
Treat others the same you like to be treated. Simple rules, just like that. Phuck up on the internet and you might get your but kicked.
JanB recently posted..Hunny? I breaded your cat!
“People are people and should be treated as people.”
Jan this is too true. I couldnt have said it better.
I love twitter and totally agree with what you said.
It’s a great place to connect in “real time” with your readers…if you’re blogging
And it’s just a great place to have a chat.
I really loathe the “auto “Thanks for the follow tweet” irkes the shit out of me.
Kimberly recently posted..Arcana Dea Is Something Beautifully Hopeful
I hate that auto thank you too! really, if you’re thankful someone followed you, automate a tweet if you need to, does it have to be a DM? geez.
I love this funny, yet, informative, yet, very truthful rant! Seriously. I take a big issue with the first kind of twitter user that you reference. I like to consider myself a friendly and sociable person. I do want to get to know others and value when they choose to follow me. But… I also don’t always key an eye on who is following me/not following me because that doesn’t matter much to me. I’m more about connections. I want to get to know people who want to get to know me because they really want to get to know me, not because they’re hoping meet some arbitrary number of followers to feel successful. You know? *sigh. (This rant has appeared courtesy of Jessica of Mommyhood NEXT RIGHT). LOL.
Jessica recently posted..52|6: Sick Days and Whitney
lol. let go girl! lmbo. now tell us how you really feel.
I love when you get all forceful. But honestly, I agree with you…except STAR stuff people. If you RT it, FAVORITE it…it brings notice to the user who impressed you enough to retweet. I wonder if it isnt getting over spammed now. I sometimes feel like a needle in a haystack. That may also be narcissism on my part
Chrissy recently posted..Just Call Me “Dead Leg”
excellent points Chrissy! Help your fellow blogger out and reshare their stuff, not just them sharing you.
It can be tough, we’re all busy. But giving some kind of effort shows and people understand. What do you think about auto rt’s? Like Tribrr (we tried. I like dit until it wasnt auto any more)
Chrissy recently posted..Just Call Me “Dead Leg”
Hi Vanita, I appreciate the shout out. Nicely said and very true. Most people I encounter in social media are pretty friendly and very willing to help. People could get a lot more done if they were just straight about what they want to do.
Tell people that you want 10,000 followers for whatever reason and you’ll often find that people offer more assistance than you would have expected.
Jack recently posted..You Are A Big Deal Online But Offline Nobody Cares
this is true. i’ve seen tweets asking for help to hit a certain mark, and when it’s from a blogger i like, i send out a #follow. I’m happy to help if asked. and if it’s someone i appreciate. which it usually is. cause if i don’t like you, what’s the point of following you?
Thanks so much for clearing the air about Twitter. ‘Social’ media should be interactive or it isn’t very social is it? I have to admit that I’ve never come across the “I’ll have to unfollow you in 3 days if you don’t like my Facebook page”…what arrogance! Success isn’t going to be in the numbers but in the quality of the interactions. I look forward to reading more!
Jean Holewa recently posted..The Cents-Sense Scent Test
Jean, you’re absolutely right! interactive is the name of the game. engagement too! thanks for stopping by!