Twitter Rule #2: Remember That You’re Being Watched

Twitter-logoTwitter Rule #1, you might recall, was “Team Before Tweet.”

Here is an excerpt from that original post, which was published almost 1 year ago:

“How much tweeting is ‘too much’ while on the clock? … For me the answer comes down to prioritization and respect.

“Your priority while on-the-job is to work through your client assignments in an efficient manner: quite simply, that’s what you’re paid to do… If your manager is waiting on a document from you before they can head home, or your client is anxious about the state of a pending editorial opportunity, they won’t be too pleased to see a spurt of carefree tweets flying through the twittersphere.  It shows a lack of awareness for (your) colleagues’ priorities, thus, a lack of respect.”

Twitter Rule #2 is “Remember that You’re Being Watched.”

If you are on Twitter, a service that is chockfull of reporters and colleagues, competitors — and now, yes, clients — you need to keep in mind that your tweets might come back to bite ya.

And not just the tweets that occur between 9am and 5pm.  Any tweet, at any time, is subject to the scrutiny, analysis and judgment of your peers, prospects, clients, etc.

It is perfectly human to kvetch about how tired or unmotivated or hung-over you are to your friends and even the clutch of co-workers in your immediate vicinity.  But do it on Twitter, and you’re casting your fate to the winds.

Maybe nothing comes of it.  But maybe your client sees it, and calls your boss at the agency.  Maybe a reporter sees it, and shares it with your client.  Maybe a competitor sees it, and forwards it to a prospect that you’re vying to win.  Pretty embarassing, eh?  Don’t let this happen to you.

In order to augment your personal brand, it is true that you need to share.  But as a professional, you do not need to over-share.

Posted on: March 19, 2009 at 11:49 am By Todd Defren
55 Responses to “Twitter Rule #2: Remember That You’re Being Watched”

 

Comments
  • Todd Homan-Jones says:

    A good rule is:

    Would I write this if it was guaranteed to be seen by my boss/client/wife/grandmother and on the front page of Digg and the NY Times?

    If not, then don’t write it.

    (I know, that may be a little extreme, but offhand/misconstrued comments can hit your rep and/or your wallet real fast).



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