'Twetiquette': Making the most of #followfriday on Twitter
For the second Friday in a row were are posting our #followfriday recommendations here on the Morgan PR blog rather than in amid the near deafening noise of Twitter, which is so noisy with everyone Tweeting their #followfriday thoughts on who you should follow.
The overwhelming response to the first #followfriday blog post was encouragingly in favour of blogging more detailed reasons for who should be followed, which brings me neatly on to the next point!
One of the reasons that the phenomenon has become so consuming is because far too many normally sane and friendly Tweeple (apologies to those who are not entirely au fait with the Twitterisation of the language!) suddenly abandon their normal observance of the Twetiquette.
Honestly, why do people issue mindless lists of Twitter names with the #followfriday or #ff hashtag? Presumably they are genuinely recommending these Tweeple should be followed, but it looks lazy and as if they actually have nothing interesting to say about why we should follow these people.
Firstly these Tweets are of little value and meaningless to read. Even when we see our own Twitter names among such lists the initial thrill soon vanishes when you sadly realise they did not explain why you should be followed. I would even go as far as to say that this ill considered generosity can actually damage the author's Twitter reputation as this disappointment of being ineffectually recommended sinks in.
Also, by using up the maximum of 140 characters it makes it difficult for the #followfriday to be Retweeted and it is this republishing that can help build followers.If people follow the rules and leave enough room, do RT them as this in itself recommends them and makes for a nice thank you gesture too.!
Finally, don't go crazy! It seems abundant to suggest lots of your followers for #followfriday, but it should be a recommendation - so less really is more!
So to recap:
- Avoid meaningless #followfriday lists
- Do explain why someone should be followed
- Make it short enough to be used as a RT
- RT those who show good Twetiquette
- #followfriday in moderation
So lest we hear the sound of breaking glass as we happily toss stone around our glass house, how should it be done? Well below, in 120 characters or less, are the Tweeple that myself, @Nigel_Morgan and @DianeMorgan00 think you would benefit from following... and why!
Following our own advice, this #followfriday we are only suggesting some Newbury Tweeple!
You're reading this blog thanks to the skill and patience of web designer @Adrian_Scott and his team, do #followfriday
#followfriday #Newbury health food shop @Natures Corner & @LePetitSquare French restaurant who have offers on Twitter
#followfriday gentle dental wizard @RichardCharon who is also generous with his RTs
As generous is @MikeSamuels68 who cheerfully warns sunny dilemmas with his tips on avoiding skin cancer
When it comes to copywriting Tweeps, we like @AdrianHiggs and @InspirationCopy and say #followfriday them
Definitely #followfriday recruitment expert @maddrennan who offers great interview tips on Twitter.
Tips on making the most of your career come from @Michelle_Lucas, another to #followfriday
We are liking more and more the tweets of @mwsmedia2009 so do #followfriday Kiri who tweets most days
Often fluffing up their feathers on Twitter are #followfriday legal eagles @clmlawbits
Now there are many more we could Twitter about, but having urged you to be selective we have made some tough decisions! Not enough to Tweet the Tweet, you need to walk the walk too! Besides, there is always next Friday!
What do you think? Post your comments below and even your #followfriday recommendations too, for on here they will deliver good search engine optimisation without fading after Friday!