1. It isn’t updating your Facebook status
Unlike Facebook, Twitter only has 140 characters for you to express your thoughts. There’s only so much you can tweetshrink a message before it becomes something like this:
Did U know twttr has a max 140 char length 2 post unlike Facebook? & thr is only so much U cn TweetShrink the msg before it’ll ended up lk a skool kids SMS msg 2 her friend.
Did you understand that? Even that, was lengthier by 33 characters! So, keep it simple and brief.
2. It’s for my friends – ’nuff said
When I post to Twitter, it’s because I want my friends to know about it. Yes, you may have 44, 468 phantoms on your followers list but, do all of em really read what you posted? At least, my friends do.
3. There isn’t a format to follow
But I like keeping my twitter updates structured like this:
@If any Message Shortened URL #Hashtag
To me, it’s arranged based on the priority of the content. You want to communicate the message out first. Then, share the source and trend it.
4. Updates are not private
Unless you make it protected. And if you did, only followers who you approved may read your updates. Therefore, remember that if you posted personal information like your mobile/email/IC number to an unprotected account, any Internet user can read it.
5. You can’t buy loyalty
If you’re a corporation on Twitter, you can pay as much money to Twitter advertising networks but I’ll never be loyal to your brand unless I’ve used it and I was happy.
P.S.: It’ll also be more effective if you were on Twitter so we (fans and non-fans) can communicate directly to you what we think of your product. That’s branding.
Bonus:
6. Say it and mean it
After I lodged a complaint with 1901hotdogs via Twitter, they took the initiative to settle my concern and even, reward me with a free meal. The meal was a bonus but they took action to speak to the other concerning party about my feedback.
So, don’t think Twitter is only a bunch of young immature kids. Some of these kids have the power to make your kids hate you. Seriously.