Justin Cox
So you want to follow me on Twitter?
With the heightened popularity that Twitter has been receiving lately thanks to the “race to a million followers” publicity stunt and Oprah’s recent entrance to the 21st century — and yes, I was here before Oprah — I figure it’s high time to explain what you should expect if you follow me. Reading this may also give you a bit of insight into how I use Twitter, if you know, you’re into that sort of thing. If this sounds like something Wil Wheaton would do, well, it’s because he did and I really enjoy the post.
Coming soon, Oprah's must-follow list.
The number one rule is that if you claim to be some sort of “social media expert” and you follow me, I will block you. End of story. This may sound a bit harsh, but deal with it. First of all, you are by no means a social media expert. No one is. When I see “social media expert” on someone’s one-line bio I actually read “social media whore” or “lame spammer.” I don’t want to be one of your five thousand followers in the hopes I’ll follow you back just to inflate your own digital ego.
That brings me to the second rule: If you follow me, don’t expect me to follow you back. Twitter doesn’t work that way. There’s only so many different people I can keep track of and while I’m flattered you find my mindless drivel interesting, don’t count on my following you back.
I won’t use #hashtags unless I’m at a conference or trying to get on some sort of TV program, like Current’s debate coverage. I think #hashtagging is pretty silly for daily use, but if I’m at a conference then I’ll tag away. Expect to see #orange09 appear very soon.
While I don’t post as much as some people do, I will go through bursts where I post often, especially while at a conference — see above. Having said that, I do tend to use @replys an awful lot. If you have all @replys turned on, well, you may find me annoying. Oh well.
Speaking of @replys, if you follow me, feel free to drop one on me from time to time. My favorite use of Twitter is as a means of communication; which is why I heavily use @replys. So answer the random questions I ask from time to time or just say hi.
I don’t retweet anything, unless it’s some sort of contest or freebee deal and even then it’s very rare. it’s not that I don’t find things funny or interesting or insert adjective here, it’s that I don’t think retweeting makes any sense. I don’t need to copy someone’s exact words. I didn’t do it while in college and I’m not going to do it on the internet. Maybe I’ll pass on a link and give someone credit for it, but I’m not going to copy the entire tweet. Seems silly.
Basically I use Twitter the way that I like to use Twitter and it may or may not mash up with they way you use Twitter. If it doesn’t, and for whatever reason you can’t deal with it, well don’t follow me. I don’t really care. But if you’re down with all the above, then jump on it.
How do you use Twitter? Do you have any hard and fast rules you use? Let me know in the comments.