So you’ve jumped on the Twitter band wagon and you’ve heard you can make money via Twitter and you want a gazillion followers. First stop right there, TwitterPants! This blog is about what NOT to do.

He who is without sin, let him cast the first tweet. Yes, I have been guilty of some of these things when I first started tweeting. What’s worst…I have witnessed some of the so-called social media gurus and big name bloggers  (especially tips #3 and #4) commit these offenses.  Perhaps they feel since they have numerous followers they can get away it.

If you are yearning to get reported for spam, unfollowed or blocked,  just take up the following Twitter practices.

10 Twitter Practices To Avoid:

1. Tweet @ replies to people who are not following you with your affiliate links. Instead just send a regular tweet and give people the option to click on your link if they want. Most won’t, especially other “serious” affiliate marketers. Sure clueless newbies will click your link and I assume that’s what you are wagering.
2. Tweet a direct message with an affiliate link or the latest product you are promoting. If someone is interested in more information on your product, they will ask you. Isn’t that what your Twitter URL is supposed to do…refer followers to your web site. (Which brings me to the next offense.)
3. Use a URL shortener for your Twitter bio URL. That just screams spam or affiliate link to God knows what! Most likely it’s always a link to a porn site to which you have to register to view pics or a new fangled program to gain a million Twitter followers overnight. Don’t be so shady.
4. Tweeting a link that takes the user to a bookmarking or social media site. Most annoying. Why take some one half way around the world to read the information? Tweet a link that takes the user directly to the link. If the user wants to vote your post up or down or bookmark it, they will more than likely do so from your web site or blog. Surely you have some of those neat little buttons on your site to let the reader bookmark or share via their favorite social media site. Using this technique might get your post voted down by someone who is ticked off at your twitter tactics.
5. Retweeting other people’s Follow Friday tweets. Follow Friday is about recommending people whom you think are follow worthy. If you are not following someone on Twitter, why the heck would you want to recommend them? No one will take you seriously. Research and get to know the people you are following and make your own recommendations.
6. Twitter Fights. Name calling and fighting on Twitter is  juvenile and makes you look very unprofessional. I have seen some ugly things go down on Twitter. Be the bigger guy/gal and hit that block link on your side panel and go on about your business. Trust me, it ain’t that serious and certainly not worth your time.
7. Get a Twitter profile pic. Again this just screams spam. Take the time to upload a picture. The picture doesn’t necessarily have to be of you…just pick a picture that reflects your personality or your business. You might want to refrain from posting a pic of boobs unless you are a porn star and they are your boobs.
8. Write a Twitter Bio. Take the time to write a Twitter bio and it might gain you a few followers. Tell  users about yourself with your bio. Bios can be witty and funny or as serious as you want them to be. If people don’t know who you are, why would they want to follow you?
9. It’s not all about You. I hate to burst your bubble, but it’s not all about you! Add value to your tweets. Tweet and retweet other links besides your own. Get to know people by interacting with them…after all this is social media and it’s all about being social.
10. Just say “No” to cutesy Twitter apps and games. This is Twitter. This is not Facebook or MySpace. Invites to join Mafia Wars or Farmville, play games, or cutesy hearts are just down right annoying. If you do not personally know (in the “real” world) the person, think twice about sending these annoying little tweets or direct messages. They will get you blocked faster than you can say “Tweet, Tweet.”

For additional information on the correct way to use Twitter, you might want to download or read online Mashable’s Free Twitter Guide Book.

BTW the adorable little Twitter Queen graphic on this blog post was downloaded from the Little Box of Ideas and was designed by Sneh Roy.

These are some of the major annoying practices on Twitter. Feel free to add your own comments.

Related posts:

1. My Twitter Philosophy, Do You Have One?
2. Domain Name Purchase Offer…Scam or Spam?
3. Comment Policy

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