Twitter, of all the popular social sites, seems to be one of the most misunderstood.  At least that’s what I hear from people exploring their options for using social media as a business tool.  I find it difficult to explain all the strengths of Twitter in just one conversation, so I usually respond to these folks by validating their perception that Twitter can seem overwhelming at first blush. Then I encourage them to not be discouraged.

I find them, and follow them . . . or do I?

My next step is to find them and follow them on Twitter, and then try to lead by example.  But before I do that, I take a look at their Twitter profile and see if I can gain insight about them, their business, and why they’d want to be using social media as a business tool in the first place.  Often, I notice that their profile isn’t really working for them.  In fact, if I hadn’t already met them face-to-face and had an interest in them and their business, I might not even follow them based on their Twitter profile.  That’s because before I start following anyone on Twitter . . .

. . . I want to see who they are.  A generic Twitter avatar is a red flag.
. . . I want to know a bit about them.  It’s amazing what I can learn from a 160-character Twitter bio.
. . . I want to know where I can learn more about them – preferably a website.

Here’s what goes through my head – and keeps me from following people who have incomplete Twitter profiles.  I get the impression that:

• They don’t know how to upload an avatar (if they don’t have time to learn that, they’re not going to have time to learn how to use social media well).
• They don’t understand the importance of transparency on social media (that turns me off).
• They don’t care about the impression they give on these public platforms (I only care about people who care).
• They’re afraid or embarrassed, for whatever reason, that they’ll be recognized (then they shouldn’t use social media).
• They’re hiding something (and I’m not really interested in playing THAT game).

I’m not a social media snob. Honest.

I apologize if I seem like a snob.  But try to understand that social networks are teeming with interesting people with important things to say.  They’re also pretty crowded with a lot of time wasters.  I have to have some system for sorting and filtering through the noise, and I start by looking at the only information I have available to me when I meet someone for the first time online.

Don’t pass up the chance to make a good first impression

If you want me to follow you on Twitter – and I think I speak for a lot of others – make a good first impression. Make me want to get to know you.  Welcome me into your world by giving me a glimpse of it.  It’s as easy as completing your Twitter profile.