Learning to use Twitter is an odd experience. It takes a while to get the hang of it. For months, Twitter was something I would avoid. With email, IM, my blog and my business, who has time for another time suck? But just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. It's a cross between a IM, a chat room and a stock market ticker tape updating you on everything. So I tried it, put it away for a month, tried it again, made some mistakes. Here are a few of the lessons I've learned in a fairly short time.
- Twitter is pretty simple and it is hard to really get the benefit of Twitter unless you are using something like Tweetdeck.
- Find some friends to coach you. I started using Twitter without really understanding it. A friend helped me figure out and coached me through some of the start-up pain.
- Have a good reason to Twitter. I still feel like I don't have a great reason or a real focus. I'll try to improve how I use it.
- Get involved and be useful. When you add value to the conversation, you attract followers.
- Don't Tweet and drink. Enough said.
- Don't Tweet and drive.
- Twitter is more and less than IM. I don't really know what I mean when I say this, but give me a week or so and I'm sure I will clarify this statement.
- Don't try to sell.
- Stay connected. On the days that I Tweet, I get more followers. On the days that I don't Tweet, I don't. Do the math.
- I'll add more as I learn more. If you have suggestions, send them over.