Twitter Etiquette and My Tweeves

I’ve been twittering for about five months now. I love the instant feedback and the community I’ve enjoyed being a part of during these days. However, I have seen a lot of people miss use and even abuse Twitter. So here’s my top 5 Tweeves (Twitter Peeves)


Twittarrhea: An unstoppable string of running Tweets for no reason. If you have 12 tweets within an hour, something very important, dangerous or extremely cool should be happening. Otherwise, don’t punish us for your boredom.

Twitteralogue: A long Twitter dialogue between two people. You want to text you best friend, then great, text him, but please don’t have a long private conversation on Twitter. I really don’t want to know that you use Yukon Gold potatoes for mashing. Remember, you can use the direct tweet option for your personal, confidential, and or boring conversation.

Twittertising: Uncontrolled self promotion of goods and/or services. Ok, before you accuse me of shameless self promotion and of breaking my own rules, I must clarify. Twitter is a great tool for marketing when done sparingly. If all your posts are promoting goods and services, you’re missing the point of the network and annoying the rest of us.

Twitterbosity: Verbosity in tweets. One of the distinctives of this medium is the 140 character limit. It forces us to be concise and get to the heart of the matter quickly. I believe it has helped me become a better writer. I blogged about it here. I have seen people post 3 or 4 tweets to explain a thought. Well, that’s a blog entry. Sometimes you need more than 140 character, but it should be a rare exception and not the rule.

Twating: As in “hatin” on Twitter. Originally, I had it named Twurd as in throwing a, hmm, well, moving on. Twitterland is all about love and community and there’s no place for ill feelings and pettiness. That’s what email is for.

What about you? What are your Tweeves?

  • http://murphy24p.wordpress.com Steve Murphy

    Your top 2 are my top 2! In all honesty, I have stopped following people for one or both of the first two infractions. It especially annoying when you're getting some one's updates on the cell phone… ding, same guy… ding, same guy again, ding, same guy AGAIN!The long "conversations" get me too. People really do need to learn when to take things "off line".Great post!

  • http://www.twitter.com/mburleson Mark Burleson

    Different strokes for different folks. I love the dialogue. Thats how I came across you and your blog. both Steve and you wouldn't follow me. I am extremely social and many of my conversations are only had on twitter. But thats the beauty of the system, I don't have to change who I am to please certain groups and you don't have to be subjected to interact with those you don't want to.

  • http://jennicatron.tv Jenni Catron

    Totally agree!!

  • http://www.chadjarnagin.com Chad Jarnagin

    well said.

    you would be a good follow for someone. ;)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/00684140688711483258 Mike

    Twitter pet peeves (I may have done them too)Eating a donut.Eating a sub. parking my car. heard a noise. I've got a hangnail.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08277724647138237202 SwitchingGranny

    Well said. In fact I am going to have to consider that I am ill when an episode of Twittarrhea happens! (There are these mornings that I've so much to share.. but don't think there have actually been 12 in an hour)

  • http://www.thischangesnothing.com michael covington

    Hi, my name is @totai and I've got a case of the Twitterruns!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961 Rachel Hauck

    Twitterisms. Joined Googled and IM'd in the land of social cybering.Love it.Rachel

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/07973714025887019233 Pam

    I feel pretty sure I have violated a few of these. But I also agree with you. I will link my blog to this today!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06466548217115920317 Scott

    Incoherent tweets! It may be short, but at least have it make sense.

  • http://www.thischangesnothing.com Michael Covington

    Wait a minute! Everything I say is very important and/or extremely cool, I guess I am exempt from #1.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/00999362928007579834 Brad Ruggles

    Ha ha, that's awesome! Did you find those somewhere or did you make those up?I have to agree with you on all of them, especially the Twittarrhea and Twitteralogue.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08025480075040942365 Maurilio Amorim

    @BradRugglesThese came out of my mind. Scary what goes on in there. I have come up with others since, like Twitupated, as in difficult in posting tweets. Ok, I'm done, for now.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/09120676629966544308 andrea

    Golly…I am guilty of 3 out of the 5. Shoot me now.

    Seriously, great post and so true.

    @wonderfalls

  • http://www.michaelrobison.com Michael Robison

    Hey Bud,

    I have really enjoyed your blog. I am going to add you to my blog list. I want other people to share in the fun!

  • Robin Moore

    Great post. My Tweeves…….self promoting stamps across your profile picture, mentions of surprise party’s and realizing your not invited and the all too familure name dropping