21 Rules to Consider: What are the Rules?

As a seasoned social media marketer, I have been utilizing Twitter since 2008 and have witnessed its evolution over the years. Despite the changes, one thing remains constant: the importance of good manners. Therefore, I aim to share with you the essential rules of Twitter etiquette that I have gathered through my experience. Twitter is a unique platform, and treating others with respect can greatly benefit you. Remember, the things you post online can have a lasting impact, so it’s important to be mindful of your interactions.

### What You Tweet

When composing your tweets, consider the following Twitter etiquette rules to ensure your content is engaging and appropriate.

#### 1. Watch what you tweet.
Be cautious of what you post on Twitter as it can have consequences. Recent incidents of account suspensions highlight the importance of being mindful of your content. Additionally, potential employers often review social media profiles before making hiring decisions.

#### 2. Keep it short and sweet.
While Twitter now offers up to 280 characters per tweet, the platform is still geared towards concise messaging. Avoid long-winded tweets that may cause your message to be missed by your audience.

#### 3. Don’t just talk about yourself.
Share a variety of content on Twitter beyond self-promotion. Become a valuable source of information for your followers by curating and sharing diverse content.

#### 4. Stay positive.
Maintain a positive tone in your tweets to foster a healthy online environment. Avoid excessive negativity, as it can deter followers and impact engagement.

### Hashtags

Utilize hashtags effectively to categorize your tweets and engage with trending topics.

#### 5. Don’t over-hashtag.
Avoid using too many hashtags in your tweets, as it can come across as spammy and reduce engagement. Limit your hashtags to a few relevant ones per tweet.

#### 6. Do use hashtags to classify your tweet.
Include hashtags in your tweets to make them discoverable for specific keywords or ongoing discussions. Use branded hashtags when relevant to your content.

#### 7. Don’t hijack trending hashtags for your own benefit.
Resist the temptation to capitalize on trending hashtags if they are not relevant to your content. Misusing trending hashtags can lead to backlash and damage your reputation on Twitter.

### Tweet Frequency

Balancing the frequency of your tweets is crucial for maintaining engagement without overwhelming your audience.

#### 8. It’s OK to tweet a lot.
Tweeting frequently is acceptable as long as the content is relevant and valuable to your audience. Avoid excessive tweeting that may lead to follower disengagement.

### ReTweeting

ReTweeting others’ content is a common practice on Twitter, but it should be done thoughtfully.

#### 9. Don’t be afraid to ReTweet.
ReTweeting others’ content is a sign of respect and can help you build relationships on Twitter. Share content that aligns with your interests and adds value to your followers.

#### 10. Add your perspective to a ReTweet.
When ReTweeting someone’s content, add your perspective or commentary to provide context and engage your audience. Personalizing Retweets can enhance the original content and generate meaningful interactions.

### Liking Tweets

Liking tweets is a way to show appreciation for others’ content and boost engagement.

#### 11. Like other people’s tweets.
Liking tweets can signal appreciation for the content and help users discover quality posts. It can also facilitate connections between brands and influencers for potential collaborations.

#### 12. Don’t like your own tweet. What is the purpose?
Avoid liking your own tweets as it can come across as self-promotional. Focus on engaging with others’ content and building a positive online presence.

### Mentioning Others in Tweets

When mentioning users in tweets, maintain respect and relevance to avoid breaching Twitter etiquette.

#### 13. Don’t mention random people in tweets in hopes that they recognize or follow you.
Avoid mentioning users randomly in tweets with the expectation of gaining followers. Instead, engage with users authentically by sharing and commenting on their content.

### Sliding into the DM

Direct messaging on Twitter requires discretion and respect for the recipient.

#### 14. Don’t DM someone until you’ve built rapport with or know them.
Avoid sending unsolicited direct messages to users before establishing a relationship. Spamming users with excessive DMs can lead to negative reactions and tarnish your reputation.

### Receiving Mentions from Others

Responding to mentions is essential for fostering engagement and building relationships on Twitter.

#### 15. Reply to @mentions that are personally addressed to you.
Acknowledge and respond to mentions addressed to you, especially for brands. Timely responses to mentions can enhance customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

#### 16. Don’t be afraid to block inappropriate people.
If you encounter inappropriate behavior on Twitter, don’t hesitate to block and report the user. Protect yourself and the community by avoiding interactions with negative or offensive users.

### Following and Unfollowing

Strategically following users based on relevance and objectives is key to successful Twitter usage.

#### 17. Don’t follow just to unfollow.
Avoid following users solely to gain followers and then unfollowing them. Focus on building genuine connections and engaging with users who align with your interests.

#### 18. Do follow back people if they are relevant to your objective for being on Twitter.
Follow users who are relevant to your Twitter objectives, such as thought leaders in your industry or potential collaborators. Building connections with relevant users can enhance your Twitter experience.

#### 19. Do follow people whose content you’d like to appear in your timeline.
Follow users whose content interests you and adds value to your Twitter feed. Engaging with diverse content creators can broaden your perspective and inspire new ideas.

### Automation

Utilizing automation tools can streamline your Twitter presence, but it should be done thoughtfully.

#### 20. Don’t set it and forget it.
Regularly monitor and adjust your automated tweets to align with current events and maintain relevance. Flexibility in automation practices can help you adapt to changing circumstances.

#### 21. Do schedule tweets in advance.
Schedule tweets in advance to stay active on Twitter and reach different segments of your audience. Planning and scheduling content can help you maintain a consistent presence on the platform.

By following these Twitter etiquette guidelines, you can enhance your online presence, build meaningful connections, and maximize the impact of your tweets. Twitter is a powerful platform for networking and engagement, so approach it with respect and consideration for others. Happy tweeting!



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