Let’s get some things out of the way right up front here. I like Twitter (and other social media). Heck – By day, I am a software architect for a “community” web site with plenty of social media magic mixed in. I also realize there is no “right way” to use social media. These are my personal views. If they rub you the wrong way, I’ve probably already unfollowed you. Finally, I’m not trying to get a Twitter High Score. While I would love to have millions of followers to pimp my music projects to, it would mean just that many more who see my late night drunken one liners.
Some of you have fancy Twitter tracking tools, some of you obsess over your followers list, and some of are you are puzzled that I wasn’t familiar with the oh so witty remark you made earlier in the week. Yes – it’s true. I unfollowed you. Now, don’t take it personally. Well, maybe take it personally. Let’s see why I may have kicked you to the virtual curb.
You have multiple accounts and are constantly retweeting yourself. You’ve got a side project or three. Awesome. If I’m interested in it, I’ll follow it. If not, I’ll just stick with your main account. But here you come with your RT fever. I consciously decided not to read those tweets, but you seem to know better than me and will make sure I see them anyways. I get and support the occasional cross promotion for your new followers, but give me a break.
You abuse the Quote style retweet. Some of you are hopping up and down to tell me that I can turn off retweets from specific accounts if I don’t like the above scenario. I know all about it and use it to great effect. Unfortunately it blocks all retweets. Except those pesky old school ones where you add your witty content to it. If I’ve already flipped the no retweet switch and I still think your a bit spammy, it’s time to part ways.
You cross post every tweet to Facebook. If we’re connected on both sites, I don’t need to read it twice. Given the two, I’ll opt for Facebook, because people really get butthurt when you unfriend them there.
You RT for contests on a daily basis. Hey, we’re all human and a chance for a Colorware Macbook Pro is sometimes too hard to pass up, but if you’re retweeting everyday for low dollar items you need to do one of two things: create an account just for your spam or dig deep in your wallet and just buy the damn thing.
You have a one track mind. No, not that track. I’m good with that. Some of my personal contacts seem to use Twitter almost exclusively to ramble about a single topic. Good for you. I’ll see you on Facebook or at happy hour.
Your business/service is mixing news with a feed of some sort. I really want to stay in touch with some websites. If they are having a sale or a service disruption, twitter is the perfect place for me to be informed. But keep the automated data feeds separate. Just because I am interested in your music hosting service doesn’t mean I want to know everytime someone else uploads a file.
You are a music promotion account hyping pop and R&B. Yes, I am a self-described music junkie and I do produce music but for the most part my tastes are more specific. Sure there are great tracks coming out by the artists you’re pimping but I’m sure one of the eleventy jillion blogs I read will let me know when the next Rebecca Black is peaking (hopefully this reference will need to be Googled by next week).
Phew. That felt good to get off my chest. I’m sure there will be some retaliation. Oh well.
What are your Twitter pet peeves? Feel free to add your thoughts in the (moderated) comments.
Updated 08/18/11
Another reason I unfollowed you: An automated Direct Message when I followed you. Spam me once shame on you…
