Welcome to Twitter, the world’s top short-form social media platform! With over 100,000 users signing up daily, you’re not alone, so don’t be afraid. The “rules” seem tough to learn, and posting may appear to be daunting, but Twitter is fun and welcoming — we promise. But 44% of users sign up for an account and then never tweet. We’re here to fix that. Here are some rules and basic etiquette that every new Twitter user should know:
1. You can follow anyone you want (kind of).
Start off by following anyone with a public account that interests you. Yup, you can follow celebrities like @SophiaBush, @LeoDiCaprio, and @KatyPerry (who, at 63.4M, has the most Twitter followers of all time); media outlets like @CNN, @HuffingtonPost, and @BostonGlobe; brands like @TacoBell, @Orbitz, and plenty more; as well as local personalities (check out our list of Boston Twitter pros for recommendations).
Some personal accounts, though, are private, and require a follow request — kind of like a friend request. Sometimes they’ll accept, sometimes they won’t. Don’t take it to heart; there are plenty of people you can follow instead.
2. You can UNfollow anyone you want.
Unlike Facebook, if you unfollow someone, they aren’t untethered from you forever. They can still follow you and retweet (RT) you and all that goodness, but you don’t have to feel bad for not following them back. If you REALLY don’t want someone to see your tweets, you can always make your account private or block them. Or if you REALLY feel bad about unfollowing, but want nothing to do with their tweets, you can always mute a user – they’ll never know.
3. Keep it short and sweet.
The 140-character limit is there for a reason. If it’s too long to tweet, the general rule of thumb is to keep it off Twitter. Hilarious scenarios are one exception.
4. Share cool things.
Your tweets don’t have to be personal musings. Share a YouTube video, a really cool article you read, or a picture of a double rainbow over the Mass Pike. You should tweet anything you think other people would like.
5. Use the search function.
If you’re sharing cool things, other people are, too. Searching Twitter can lead you to new people to follow, things to see, and even new experiences. Search for keywords, hashtags, names, and more.
6. Edits don’t exist.
Once you post it, it’s there. You can delete a tweet, but chances are it’s already been seen. Probably why so many perfectionists love Twitter — ruminating over a tweet is actually worth it.
7. Take it seriously.
Like any other social platform, keep in mind that what you’re posting is public and somewhat permanent.
8. Don’t take it seriously.
After all, Twitter is a blast. Have fun, reach out to new friends, and learn new things. You’re guaranteed to have a good time.
Of course, there’s plenty to learn as you get more familiar with Twitter, but this is just a start. You’ll learn as you go, and that’s part of the fun.
Want to learn more about strategy? We offer Twitter 101 classes. Email lauren@mettermedia.com to sign up.
Metter Media LLC is a Boston-based social media management company that implements community-based, localized social engagement strategies for small businesses and corporations alike. Need help with your social media? Email Lauren today.
