I Heart Twitter (Part III): Twittiquette

Posted by Emily Orpin on 3/26/10   |   Categorized as For Buyers,For Sellers,How To

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tweet necklace

Tweet acrylic necklace by Plastique

Yep, I’m back on the Twitter bandwagon again…

Etiquette is a strange beast.  I think for most of us, it’s simply about being nice and showing respect and it’s something we just try and do.  But kind of like when we’re in foreign lands, new technologies can bring new behavioral norms and expectations and sometimes we can all use a few tips on keeping ourselves nice.  And whether you use Twitter for business, pleasure or a bit of both, having some knowledge of  the norms and expectations can only be a good thing.

So, I’ve been reading a bunch of blog posts and tweets about ‘Twittiquette’, and here’s a summary of what I found:

Google before you Tweet poster by Joe Newton (from I Love Typography)

1. Always acknowledge your source – let people know where/who you got that link, photo, idea, etc, from (it’s a great way to build connections too)

2. People don’t seem to like it when you use Twitter for endless and blatant self promotion.  Bragging is also a bit of a turn off.

3. If you retweet (‘RT’) someone, don’t change what they originally wrote.  If you do have to change it to save space, ensure the essence of what was originally said is kept (I also correct obvious spelling mistakes, but that’s your call!).  Oh, and self serving RTs (where you RT something lovely someone else said about you) are generally frowned upon (see point 2).

4. Speaking of RTs, always thank people for them.  You should do the same for a nice ‘mention’ also.  And a ‘Follow Friday’ (more on what those are all about in Part IV – when I write it…)

5. Although we all make the odd typo, in the world of spell checks and on-line dictionaries there’s no excuse for consistently poor spelling

6. The overwhelming majority say that automatically generated direct messages (‘DMs’) are a definite NO.  If you want to welcome new followers, take the time to have a look at their profile and Twitter stream and DM them something meaningful.  This is more likely to result in them in turn taking the time to look at your profile (and your handmade wares!).  In contrast, and generic auto DM saying ‘Hi and thanks for the follow!’ is likely to result in an unfollow.

7. Twitter is not a one-way broadcast.  Interact with people: @reply to their tweets and/or include them in your tweets (for example, are you tweeting about something on Handmade Spark?  Why not let @handmadespark know?)

8. Twitter is not a chat service.  Know when to get off Twitter and continue your one-on-one conversation via email, an instant messaging service or (heaven forbid!) the real world.

9. Don’t fight on Twitter!  It will be uncomfortable and embarrassing for all, and you will likely end up here.  Ouch.

Follow Me knee-high socks by Tattoo Socks

10. Show respect and sensitivity.  Assume the best of people, give them the benefit of the doubt.  Be inclusive.

There is another thing that all the Twittiquette ‘experts’ seem to agree on, and that’s ‘don’t tell me what you’re having for lunch’.  But I didn’t put it in the list because I really like hearing about what you’re having for lunch (and dinner, and breakfast, and afternoon tea…).  I love food and restaurants, and I love tweets about food and restaurant.  It also surprises me how often it is that my food-related tweets (like my recent addiction to Milky Way bars) generate a flurry of @replies and mentions.  Anyways, I think what the experts are trying to say with the whole ‘don’t tell me about your lunch’ thing is actually ‘don’t be mind numbingly boring, if you can help it’.

So, what do you think of all this Twitter etiquette guidance?  Helpful, common sense stuff or just more annoying rules to follow?  What really gets your goat on Twitter? What makes your heart sing?  Tell me, tell me, tell me please – I would love to hear from you!

Oh, and one last thing…for those of you who are thinking ‘I tweet, but no one buys’: if you don’t enjoy it, stop.   People can tell when you’re hearts not in it.  Besides, there are so many other avenues you can use to market your stuff, you may as well find one that you like!

ps. there’s more random musings and handy Twitter hints here in Part I and Part II in case you missed them.

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  • http://pepenewton.etsy.com Pepe Newton

    gosh! what great socks! and good advice for tweeters, thank you. Must say I like hearing about what everyone eats for lunch MUCH more than trawling through 10 ‘just listed’ items from one shop – frankly I never click on those links out of principle!

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyorpin Emily Orpin

    So true! To be honest I’ve even been pushed to the point of unfollowing a few of those people who tweet a million times a day but only to tell you about what they or their friends are selling…

  • http://www.drawpilgrim.com pilgrim

    good list! i try and be a good twitizen (that’s a ‘twitter-citizen’) but i must admit to being guilty of the conversation thing.. and sometimes forgetting to thank people. but thats not out of in-gratitude, just vagueness and the bad habit of checking twitter when i don’t have time to reply!

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyorpin Emily Orpin

    Oh I am guilty of the conversation thing too! Am in two minds on that one – I can see how it might be annoying but sometimes I’ve really enjoyed ‘eavesdropping’ on Twitter conversations and will often join in. I wouldn’t have that opportunity if the discussion was moved off Twitter. I guess it depends on whether the topic is general/relevant or not: if you’re organising to meet for dinner maybe take the conversation off Twitter (unless you like giving that kind of information to potential stalkers, of course!)

  • http://pepenewton.etsy.com Pepe Newton

    “twitizen” I like it!

  • http://www.ubervu.com/conversations/handmadespark.com/blog/i-heart-twitter-part-iii-twittiquette/ uberVU – social comments

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by pepenewton: RT @handmadespark I Heart Twitter (Part III): Twittiquette http://bit.ly/bov6il...

  • http://greeneearthoriginals.blogspot.com Maria

    Good stuff!

  • http://topsy.com/trackback?url=http://handmadespark.com/blog/i-heart-twitter-part-iii-twittiquette/ Tweets that mention I Heart Twitter (Part III): Twittiquette | Handmade Spark — Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by timothyadam, handmadeology, Handmade News, Sean, pilgrim lee and others. pilgrim lee said: great post on @handmadespark – twitiquette by @ejporpin: http://is.gd/b1jYL [...]

  • http://Blissforest.etsy.com Aly

    I’m new to Twitter, and it’s a bit overwhelming, so I appreciate guidelines and other’s opinions. For example, I get a lot of “thanks for following me” and that feels really dull, yet I wonder, “Am I SUPPOSED to thank everyone too?”

    So much of the info is random on Twitter, I have no idea how to make friends or to have time for meaningful twitter community, so I’m reading all I can. I liked this article. Thanks.

    Aly

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/hellome hellome

    Wow – every Etsy seller should read this! Well researched and well said all.

    PS – I like hearing what you’re having for lunch too! :)

  • http://watchesbyhelen.artfire.com Helen

    I use Twitter for when I list on Art Fire. I don’t UNDERSTAND (caps used for emphasis) how to twitter something and then have someone I barely know twitter something back at me. I have never had that happen. I have just seen people promoting on Twitter. I also use it to Promote other artists. As always, your article makes me question what I am doing and makes me ask myself if I am doing it the best that will benefit me. So that is a good thing!

  • http://www.tools4etsy.com www.tools4etsy.com

    Great Article… When it comes to computers and the internet we all can loose touch with basic etiquette…

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyorpin Emily Orpin

    Thanks for your comment Helen. I can totally relate to how weird the whole tweeting to a total stranger thing seems…

    All I can say is this: be selective about who you follow – if they are people who inspire you and/or whose work you admire and/or who share a common interest, one day you might read one of their tweets and you might think ‘yeah, me too’, or ‘that looks amazing’ or you might even be able to offer advice or an opinion on a question they’re asking. And when that happens, don’t hold back – @reply to them! I was a bit (ok, a lot!) scared of doing it at first, but once you do and you get a few replies back and you make ‘Twitter friends’ – the addiction begins! I do hope you’ll take those opportunities to @reply and find a source of encouragement, inspiration, crafty advice and fun!

    As a an example, I recently asked Twitter what to put between two pieces of felt to join them without making the felt too stiff. I got several helpful replies, but in particular the amazingly generous @giantbutton not only made a suggestion, but has since gone on to do a trial of the product they recommended and has given me a 5 tweet review of the results! And this is from a ‘stranger’! There is so much generosity out there!

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyorpin Emily Orpin

    Thanks so much for your comment – glad there’s other lunch lovers out there :)

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyorpin Emily Orpin

    Thanks Aly. It took me awhile to find my ‘groove’ on Twitter too. I do think it all comes back to making sure you seek out people to follow who share common interests or who you admire – that way you’ll hopefully find that the time you spend on Twitter is more meaningful to you. It also might mean that you are more likely to interact with the people you follow, as you’ll see a tweet that just begs of you to @reply to it! I think interaction is the key (no matter how scary or weird it might seem at first – speaking from personal experience there!) :)

  • http://www.shimmeringshackstudios.com/ ShimmeringShack

    Thanks for the article. I have to admit that I really enjoy Twitter. I think that it is greatly misused, though. It am especially turned off by people who use it purely for self promotion. I think that this sheds a bad light on the handmade community. I’m also turned off by excessive tweeting & usually won’t follow tweeple (ha!) who tweet daily or more. On the other hand, my very favorite tweeter almost always includes his meals in glorious scrumptious detail…..

    That being said, I think the best way to gauge your own tweets is to try to look at your stream objectively. Would it be interesting enough for you to follow if you didn’t know yourself, your friends, or your work? Most importantly have fun with it ~ make new discoveries & meet new people!

  • http://www.etsy.com/shop/emilyorpin Emily Orpin

    I do think frequency preferences can be very personal (I do follow people who tweet several times a day), but flooding peoples Twitter stream by tweeting constantly is a definite turn off…

    And I completely agree with your last point – enjoyment is critical. Well said, thanks!

  • http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/i-heart-twitter-quick-tip-1-favorites/ I Heart Twitter: Quick Tip #1 – Favorites | Handmade Spark

    [...] you missed my previous posts on Twitter you can find Part III (and the links to Parts I and II) here. Tagged as: favorites, favourites, favstar, How To, managing information, tweetdeck, [...]

  • http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/i-heart-twitter-quick-tip-2-follow-friday/ I Heart Twitter: Quick Tip #2 – Follow Friday | Handmade Spark

    [...] If you missed my previous posts on Twitter you can find Part III (and the links to Parts I and II) here. [...]

  • http://www.handmadespark.com/blog/new-years-resolution-build-a-better-etsy-shop-with-these-quick-links/ New Year’s Resolution: Build a Better Etsy Shop with These Quick Links | Handmade Spark

    [...] I Heart Twitter – Part 3 [...]

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