I am a PR professional and I use Twitter for networking with colleagues in the field from all parts of the world. And I love Twitter – it’s a magical tool, which enables me to communicate with people, who are sharing the same interests as mine. Thanks to Twitter (Happy 5th Birthday!), I have build a network of more than 1 800 people occupied with communications, PR, social media, marketing, digital communications, advertising, journalism, blogging, etc. Here are the rules I follow:
1. Tweet in one language only. In the beginning, I was tweeting in Bulgarian [my native language] and in English, but I realized soon that this was not working right and was annoying my followers. Hence, I defined my biggest aim of using Twitter: to connect with more and more PR pros. This immediately made me choose that I will be tweeting only in English, so everybody can take part in the conversation and won’t feel isolated.
2. Never use automatic DM. When you meet new people, it’s good to great them and to try to establish authentic conversation with them, which is based on your mutual interests and which should demonstrate that you are interested in what the other person is doing. Automatic messages are self-centered and are not a good conversation starter.
3. I am talkative. I am talkative in real life and I am talkative on Twitter too. I love to communicate and I am open to talk with everybody from my Twitter stream, to exchange ideas, to share and comment posts, to show my concern about my Twitter friends [people with whom I speak almost everyday]. Being communicative also helps you to personalize yourself [don't forget to personalize your profile photo, background theme and bio].
4. I learned the Twitter etiquette and follow it. I am very strict when retweeting other people and they notice it and do the same when RT me.
5. I love to be nice with my Twitter friends. I think that it’s good to show your Twitter love and respect to people as you include them in your lists, for example. In addition, I am trying to suggest them and their content to my Twitter followers, not only when it’s #FollowFriday, but whenever I feel it. An unexpected tweet promoting your good Twitter mate, who writes great content at their blog, is a nice way to show you appreciate their efforts. It’s important also to congratulate them when you learn about their higher achievements.
6. I try to curate the content I provide and not to flood. I am very focused on the content I share. I want to provide something different, new, interesting. And always add my perspective and highlight why it’s important to read an article I am sharing.
7. I use hashtags. I am tweeting mainly about communications, public relations, social media, marketing, and advertising. That’s why I always try to use the right hashtangs in order to reach more people who maybe also interested in the content I am sharing. On the other hand, I am careful not to use too many hashtags. There should be balance!
8. I am trying to take part in Twitter chats. I wish I had more time to take part in more Twitter chats for PR pros as they are really interesting and useful. Due to the difference of time, it’s even harder to be active in Twitter chats. But I do my best to participate in #CommsChat and have found great Twitter friends there.
9. I try to be adequately fast with my replies. I do my best to reply to everybody mentioning me. It takes a lot of energy especially when you are at work. Actually, Twitter can learn you at multitasking, which is a great ability.
10. I am carefully sharing my own blog posts. I am afraid of bothering my followers with my own posts but still I share them 2-3 times after posting them on the Higher & Higher blog, regarding the different time zones.
11. I avoid too long conversations with @-mentions. When I want to talk more with someone on Twitter, I try to do it with DMs or via e-mail or on skype. Because I think that longer conversations are not so welcomed by the other people who somehow feel out of the context.
12. I do my best to remember people’s real names. It’s good when you refer at someone with their real name. Makes good impression and can help you build relations.
13. I use Twitter mainly for building a professional network. Facebook is for staying in touch with my friends and Twitter is for professional networking. In this context: Being personal on Twitter is ok only to show that you are a real person not a bot, but don’t get too carried away with sharing personal information, what you’ve ate today or what you did at the last night’s party.
So what are your Twitter rules? :)
Passionate about more great content: Follow @pgeorgieva
You can read more about the retro Twitter ad at My Modern Metropolis
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You’re certainly an impressive and prolific user of Twitter – with a Klout score of 59.
How could I have doubted you?
For some time, I was suspicious of the combination of high levels of outputs and uncommonly pretty profile picture. I envisaged a basement room filled with young men tweeting in your name. (It’s the classic ‘honey trap’ and it still works today.)
How did I overcome my initial distrust (trust being the most vital commodity online)? I met the impressive @vasvalch who confirmed that you are indeed real.
‘We can’t go on together with suspicious minds’.
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// Mar 22, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Hi Richard, this is an interesting comment :)
I am glad that Vassilena Valchanova [@vasvalch, who writes a great blog in Bulgarian] assured you that there is a real girl called Petya.
Maybe one of the biggest obstacles for everybody is to be trusted online, that’s why we need to be authentic. Hope you won’t doubt in me any more ;)
Thanks for stopping by!
Twitter: maringerov
// Mar 22, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Great post once again, Petya!
Most important for me when using twitter is to make my (re)tweets/DMs as personal as possible. As you’ve mentioned – it is essential to show that behind the square image and username is a real person who really cares about making a connection. And slowly, but surely, I am starting to experience the benefits of such approach on twitter – in the last couple of months I got to interact regularly with very interesting people from the field of communication with whom I share common interests.
Take care!
Marin Gerov recently posted..Activate your Google Profile now!
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// Mar 22, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Hi Marin :)
Glad you liked the post! Btw I’ve noticed your progress on Twitter, which is great. I should say you have good approach on social media, you’re interacting a lot :)
Thanks for sharing the post and commenting here. It’s always great to hear other professional views and they’re much appreciated! :)
Twitter: maidoesimple
// Mar 22, 2011 at 4:54 pm
You got some very good rules there, I especially agree on content curation, I usually always promote things I have commented actively on, to encourage more conversation. Keeping a friendly, conversational mood is always the best way to act, really.
About @replies, I kinda abuse them because they work in a smart way. If you start the Tweet with the @, only the person mentioned will see it in his stream AND people following both you and him/her. Since the Tweet is “hidden” on others’ streams, I don’t really think no one would mind. It’s a smart mechanism I admit I didn’t know of initially, then I read some guide and bam :)
Gabriele Maidecchi recently posted..Delirious Thoughts on How an Awesome Design Can Benefit Your Brand
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// Mar 22, 2011 at 10:38 pm
You mean if I use @ + comma nobody who is not following both of us will see our dialogue?
Twitter: maidoesimple
// Mar 23, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Mmm what do you mean the comma?
I mean that, let’s say, I tweet this:
@pgeorgieva Hi there how are you?
The only people who will read this on their stream are: me, you, people following BOTH me and you. No one else. :)
Gabriele Maidecchi recently posted..5 Good Reasons Why People Really Need to Talk More and 4 Things to Avoid
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// Mar 23, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Well, this is something new for me :D Lol! Big thanks, I didn’t know that it’s like that! And it’s great! :)
p.s. forget my stupid question from earlier :D
Twitter: maidoesimple
// Mar 23, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Old post, but it clarifies things a bit more:
http://blog.twitter.com/2008/05/how-replies-work-on-twitter-and-how.html
Gabriele Maidecchi recently posted..5 Good Reasons Why People Really Need to Talk More and 4 Things to Avoid
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// Mar 23, 2011 at 8:37 pm
That’s really helpful! Thanks once again :)
That is a great insight Gabriele.
Twitter: maidoesimple
// Mar 23, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Thank you Jeremy :)
Gabriele Maidecchi recently posted..5 Good Reasons Why People Really Need to Talk More and 4 Things to Avoid
This is a great post Petya! I have learned a few new things I hadn’t thought about before. I really appreciate it!!
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// Mar 23, 2011 at 8:07 pm
It’s always great to hear positive feedback. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment, Jeremy! :)
Twitter: a_myers05hotmail.com
// Apr 8, 2011 at 11:22 pm
As a new Twitter user, I appreciate the advice you gave on separating the personal use of Facebook with the professional use of Twitter. This is something that I was apprehensive about because I enjoy being personable with those I communicate with. When I become more accomplished with Twitter, I will remember to keep these tips in mind. Thank you for this “Twitter Wisdom”.
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// Apr 15, 2011 at 7:48 pm
You are very welcome, Angela. I am glad the post was helpful for you :) Thanks a lot for stopping by and commenting :)
Twitter: News_Spark
// May 24, 2011 at 9:49 am
Hi Petya,
Love rules 3 and 5!
Think that, on the whole, the more you put yourself out there on the platform — or any worthwhile relationship — the more you get back. We either initiate, fuel or ignore the dialogue that defines the platform.
And think that the Twittersphere is generally a positive place where we tend to reciprocate the support or real-ness we receive from others!
-Chris Ehrlich
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// May 24, 2011 at 10:31 am
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the great comment! Really well said and I absolutely agree.
Best wishes,
Petya
Great set of tips, I think some of them should be staple twitter rules! Fantastic post Petya.
I find Twitter an utter waste of resources except for one thing – It exposes the foolishness of some public figures and celebrities.
Alexander Zilo recently posted..Heroes & Life Lessons
Twitter: pgeorgieva
// Sep 11, 2011 at 8:23 am
Thanks for sharing your point of view ;)
p.s. As a new Twitter user, I appreciate the advice you gave on separating the personal use of Facebook with the professional use of Twitter. Glad you liked the post! I have learned a few new things I hadn’t thought about before.
Mable Mathews recently posted..Arthritis Tips
I have a lot to borrow from you. I am a regular user of twitter but there are some things that I did not know to maximize my performance. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Mary Anne recently posted..maxworkoutsreview.net
Amazing. Its incredible idea of your blog. Thanks for sharing.
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