How you say something is often as important as what you say – especially with social media tools like Twitter.
All users on Twitter can choose between four methods of posting a tweet: Plain, Re-Tweet, Reply and Direct Message. For small businesses and non-profits, the following pros and cons should be considered:
Plain or “Web 1.0″ Post
Pro: Clearly communicates that your post is intended for all followers. Very inviting (unless the content is crap).
Con: Folks could perceive you as self-centered if the majority of your posts are all one-way (Web 1.0).
Tip: When using plain posts, be creative and make the message personal. Try posing a provocative or humorous question (For example: “I don’t know if I’d try this, would you?”) to encourage the reader’s interest in learning more.
Re-Tweet or “Good Karma” Post
Pro: Creates good Karma by forwarding valuable articles to other Twitter users. Has huge potential for a great article to be seen by thousands (truly viral).
Con: Can create a Karmic drain if you do this a lot. Remember, asking someone to re-post something to their followers is asking them a big favor.
Tip: Retweeting your own stuff is clearly a self-serving act, so keep it to the bare minimum.
Reply Post or “Social” Post
Pro: This post says that your social – you’re connecting with others and being helpful.
Con: If most of your posts start with ”@yourfriend“, you could alienate other users.
Tip: Use TweetStats to analyze your tweets. A healthy number of tweets is between 40% and 60%.
Direct Message or “Email” Post
Pro: Facilitates a private, more personal conversation between two users. Could lead to developing a new client. The direct message is also a great way to connect with others while a Retweet “bakes” in the public timeline for a while (creating more exposure for that post).
Con: Couldn’t think of a con for this one – I’m a big believer in one-on-one communication (more than 70% of my posts are via direct message).
Tip: Don’t share personal information unless you really trust that person.
The ratio and usage of these post types varies from person-to-person. Try different combinations and don’t be afraid to screw up. There are no rules on Twitter, just people.
