twitter ethics

Twitter Ethics – Ethics of Microblogging

Sylwia Presley,January, 2009

Twitter is a micro-blogging and social networking service allowing users to post 140 character long messages (tweets) and read updates of other users.

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter?

Twitter options:• Reply - @sylwiapresley – publicly available response to

users• Direct Message - DM @sylwiapresley – private message• Re-tweet - RT @sylwiapresley - interesting tweet

forwarded to one’s followers• Hashtags - #gaza – a topic of conversation, found via

Twitter search

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter?

I, a Twitter user can:• follow and unfollow other users;• block users, who decided to follow me;• restrict privacy settings on my tweets.

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter?

I can also use numerous tools to enhance my Twitter experience.

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

It will help me to define my Twitter ethics as a private person or a company if I ask myself two questions:

• How do I use the service? = What is accepted on Twitter and what isn’t? (Twitter etiquette, Twetiquette)

• What do I use it for? = What is my motivation to use Twitter? (Twitter ethics)

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

How do I use the service?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter

etiquette?

Apart from Twitter official website there’s no pre-defined set of rules published on the topic.

http://twitter.com/tos

What can I do? • Learn from experienced users, preferably established

online personalities?• Try it out myself?I can do both!

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter

ethiqette?

• ‘1. Never send more than 140 characters. I break this rule all the time because what I have to say simply doesn’t fit into 140 characters. So, why not just say it on my blog? Easy. I’m reacting to something someone said to me on Twitter. What happens on Twitter should stay in Twitter.[…]

• 9. If other people are telling you you’re spamming, you should listen to them. Me? I tell them to screw off.’

http://scobleizer.com/2007/09/23/the-10-rules-of-twitter-and-how-i-break-every-one/

Twitter EthicsWhat others think…

• ‘Use an avatar. It lets us know you’re possibly human.• If you’re using Twitter only as a link feed, consider marking

your “bio” section with that, so people can decide.[…]• If you don’t have much to say, it’s okay not to say it.[…]• It’s okay to promote yourself. Just consider promoting some

other folks, too. Mix it up a bit.• Removing someone as a Twitter friend doesn’t (necessarily)

reflect on how you feel on them as a person. It’s okay.’http://www.chrisbrogan.com/etiquette-in-the-age-of-social-media/

Twitter EthicsWhat others think…

• ‘Consistently using your Twitter stream for nothing but self-promotion and ego.

• Requesting that your friends Retweet your Tweets on a consistent basis. […]

• Not humanizing your profile. […]• Streaming only your blog’s RSS feed on Twitter. […]’

http://www.techipedia.com/2008/social-media-etiquette-handbook/

Twitter Ethics…or dislike…

Twitter Ethics…might not suit my

beliefs!

What others accept, and I agree with is Twitter ethiquette!

Twitter EthicsMy Twitter ethiquette

‘1. If I’m interested in you, and you are on Twitter, I may follow you. In other words, I’ll initiate the connection.

2. If you follow me and I already know and like you, I’ll most likely follow you back.

3. If you follow me and I don’t know you, I’ll quickly check out your Twitter page. If you link to a blog, I’ll review that. Next, I’ll review your most recent 10 Twitter posts. If they are aligned with me, and offer value, I’ll follow you.’

http://www.attentionmax.com/blog/2008/05/why_twitter_matters_and_why_i_just_might_follow_you.php

What do I use the service for?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

What if I pretend to be someone?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

Or is it better to be myself?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

Am I contributing meaningfully?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

Am I sharing interesting links?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

Am I hashtagging properly?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

What’s my motivation?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

Should I be trying to make a quick buck?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

…or help my business to bring something to the party?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

http://www.dell.com/twitter

Am I spamming on Twitter and getting kicked out?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

Am I myself on Twitter and become a part of community?

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

Twitter EthicsWho do I ask for advice?

Twitter EthicsDo I review it myself?

‘Don’t let other people tell you how to use Twitter. (Get it?)’

http://www.chrisbrogan.com/etiquette-in-the-age-of-social-media/Image source: http://www.theplatelady.com/figurines5/6719-mirror.jpg

Thank you!

@sylwiapresley ;)

References:• http://scobleizer.com/2007/09/23/the-10-rules-of-twitter-and-how-i-break-every-one/• http://www.chrisbrogan.com/etiquette-in-the-age-of-social-media/• http://www.chrisbrogan.com/considering-social-network-etiquette/• http://www.techipedia.com/2008/social-media-etiquette-handbook/• http://www.attentionmax.com/blog/2008/05/why_twitter_matters_-

_and_why_i_just_might_follow_you.php• http://dailyblonde.blogspot.com/2009/01/twitter-etiquette-i-break-rules.html• http://crazeegeekchick.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-geek-girls-online-social-networking-etiquette/• http://twitter.pbwiki.com/Twitter-Etiquette• http://twitter.wikispaces.com/• http://mashable.com/2008/11/17/twitter-community-donts/• http://mashable.com/2008/11/10/twitter-community/ • http://www.socialtimes.com/2008/10/whats-twitter-etiquette-for-brands/• http://blog.vidiocy.com/2007/03/21/twitter-ethics-outsourcing/• http://guerrilla-viral-marketing.suite101.com/article.cfm/twitter_ethics_for_business• http://www.adii.co.za/2008/04/21/twitter-a-serious-marketing-channel/

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?

References:• http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/the_thoughtful_user_guide/

writing_my_twitter_etiquette_article_14_ways_to_use_twitter_politely.php• http://nogoodreason.typepad.co.uk/no_good_reason/2008/03/twitter-etiquet.html• http://globalgeeknews.com/blog/2008/03/13/twitter-ettiquite/• http://globalgeeknews.com/blog/2008/03/17/twitter-etiquette-part-2/• http://biznik.com/articles/be-a-model-twitizen-a-twitter-howto• http://mwgblog.com/archives/2008/02/23/twitter-etiquette/• http://www.jenniferslegg.com/2008/03/06/market-blog-twitter-without-spamming/• http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/norman-birnbach/pr-back-talk/10-twitter-etiquette-rules• http://www.twitip.com/twitter-as-dinner-conversation-a-guide-to-using-replies/• http://www.socialtimes.com/2008/04/proper-twitter-etiquette-what-is-it/• http://ennui.jonathanwthomas.net/2008/10/twitter-etiquette-or-the-8-rules-of-twitter-club/• http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/twitter-style-guide.aspx

Twitter EthicsWhat is Twitter ethics?