Twitter etiquette is a good thing! If you want people to follow you back be aware that some things should be done and other things shouldn’t.
Here’s my top ten list of what I look for in a new Twitter follower. Would I follow you back?
1. You have a picture of you.
2. You have a bio that gives me an idea of who you are and what you do.
3. I see that you @reply others, you’re social!
4. You RT (retweet) others.
5. You tweet with value (of interest or timely or funny or nice.)
6. You’ve actually tweeted more than once!
7. You’re not tweeting “how to get thousands of Twitter followers.”
8. There’s not a link in every single tweet.
9. You’re not only posting quotes.
10. You don’t blast out spam!
Everyday I get emails from Twitter letting me know who followed me. I don’t automatically follow back but if you’re real I usually do. However, I actually click on the link and go view your profile before I decide to follow back or not. The list above is basically what I look at to make that decision.
Will people follow you back?
If you want to know how to get friends on Twitter, be real, tweet real. Some automation is okay. And scheduling tweets is okay, too. I don’t mind if you tweet what you had for lunch, just don’t make it an every meal thing (unless you’re a chef or awesome cook offering recipes!). I don’t mind if you tweet quotes, just be sure you tweet more than that. If you have tweet after tweet after tweet of nothing but links and there’s no evidence of conversation, I won’t be following you back.
- Yes! I want to see your new blog post!
- Yes! I want to hear about your successes, adventures, dreams and aspirations!
- Yes! I want to know what you’re doing — to a certain degree, of course.
- Yes! I want to see if I can help if you have a question!
Just be real.
How about you?
What would you add to this list? What would you remove? What irks you on Twitter? What do you like to see people tweet? Fill us in! We have inquiring minds and want to know!
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Twitter: redfoxcandle
says:
I never follow someone that doesn’t have a picture. For me it doesn’t even have to be of them but at least a picture of something. It’s a lot more personal when there is a picture up. Great post!
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Twitter: mywebgal
says:
Hi Tanya, I agree. A picture such as your Avatar works, too. I assume it represents you in some way and definitely shows your sense of humor by having a cartoon-ish character picture. I think that’s fine, too. Thanks for adding to the conversation!
I also agree with you guys. But the thing that I do personally is to check this picture because sometimes they use somebody Else’s picture which I hate. One time somebody used my picture in their twitter account.
Greg
Webmaster of Unfair Money System Review
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Hi Deb,
Thanks for informing us that what you like in twitter account to follow.These points really help readers and they can easily make you their follower.
Pete Goumas recently posted..WebWatcher Review
Twitter: mywebgal
says:
Thanks, Pete. Do you have any “rules” for following people back on Twitter? Do you think I go too far with my list??
I never follow the people who are interested in just bombarding their own links and are not interested in any kind of conversation.
A picture and bio are plus make me feel like i am interacting with some real people.
Twitter: MostDarren
says:
Nice list of rules. I pretty much follow anyone who follows me first. If they get too obnoxious, though, I might drop them
Darren recently posted..Web Presence Builder Makes Sense For Non-Profit Organizations
Twitter: mywebgal
says:
You sound like a very nice person, Darren. I’m now following you on Twitter. I like your style.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Hello Deb,
I lack in social exposure in Twitter and sometimes I forgot to reply when they mention me. But I am actually following back on those who follow me.
Glaiza recently posted..My Dating Stories
I have to admit, that I used to be great fan of Facebook. But now I just want to erase my profile, because of all spam and so on. And I will definitely try on twitter and you made some excellent points about it:)
Anna recently posted..Any idea? How much are veneers in general?
Twitter: webcircle
says:
Hi Deb great tips, I’ll remember the not posting a link every time thing because I fear I might be guilty of that!
The Web Designer recently posted..Twitter hacks for lazy people
Twitter: mywebgal
says:
Haha! It depends on when you look at the Twitter stream, right? I know, there are times it may appear that I’m tweeting a bunch of links but it’s usually because I’m in research mode and tweeting stuff I think is interesting. I always get back to Twitter eventually to get personal and tweet to actual people!
Loved your comment/confession!
Twitter: davidwalkertv
says:
Haha web designer. I think lots of people are guilty of that. Some merely jump on to blast links, but some I think try to be a ‘source’ of certain types of information. What do you think WebGal?
~David Walker
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Twitter: torymcbroom
says:
Nice list! I’m not a big fan of people who tweet exactly what they’re doing every minute of the day! If you average a couple hundred tweets a day you should probably find a hobby…
Tory McBroom recently posted..How To Create A Facebook Landing Page In 3 Easy Steps!
Twitter: mywebgal
says:
LOL! Love that Tory. So true, a hobby or a life, hey?!?
Thanks for adding your wit to the conversation!
I’m looking for those qualities also in Tweeter. I tend to follow those people who caught my interest and posting valuable information to share with others.
vhien recently posted..Hello world!
I never follow people in twitter who don’t have an picture or using someone else picture. Thanks for sharing this information I hope more people can learn from this.
Frank @ solar power for the home
I generally follow people only with a good bio, photo, reasonable number of followers and finally does not spam links.
Cheolsu recently posted..FaceB
1 more – don’t say “social media guru” if you follow WAY more people than follow you. It doesn’t offer you credibility and I see it all the time.
Brandi recently posted..Anolon Hard Anodized Cookware
I have one rule on Twitter, I never follow or even associate myself with users who may be bots or spammers. I usually check the profiles of the users who follow me before even considering following them back, mostly because I hate being constantly bombarded with sales speeches and product infos, although I do love to read them once in a while but not every time I log on Twitter.
Hi there,
i agree with Brian.
I also check the Profiles from Users.
But Twitter and Facebook and all the other Social Networks are the Future.
Wish you all the Best. And i thanks a lot for this Post and interesting Discussion.
With Greetings from Good old Germany Sandy
Twitter: UncleDutchFarms
says:
I generally look to see if first I’d even be interested in what they have to say. Oftentimes I get followed by someone and it’s obvious they just want a follow, since they talk about how they sell the best handbags, etc. So for me, it’s generally some internet marketing stuff (a select group), farmers and real foodists.
I do agree on the “real user” thing too… with a very few exceptions, I want to see real stuff from the people I follow. The only exceptions are really those marketing people or companies that I can trust that they will post “good stuff” even if there isn’t much personal interaction.
And spam… no thanks. I’m not interested in following someone that’s constantly tweeting out the entire inventory of their Etsy store.
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Twitter: deblog68
says:
I need a lot of help when it comes to social networking sites like Twitter. Just sayin’
Dee recently posted..Absolut – ly
I’ve always wondered how many tweets a day are socially acceptable as well as some of these other unwritten “rules”… Thanks!
Vincent recently posted..Rental Sound
Deb, I follow most of the people who follow me. The exception is obvious spam accounts or profiles that look sketchy (no bio or pic).
Lisa recently posted..Fotokopi
I like twiiter. Update news in tweet. But, very much not good about status. I just tweet my posting blog and my opinion. Thank’s for sharing.
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