The No.1 Cardinal Sin of Twitter
The number one cardinal sin of Twitter a brand can commit (according to me) is the improper use of the @mention in the beginning of a tweet.
I cannot begin to tell you how much it drives me crazy when a brand “replies” to me—or a brand I manage—on Twitter when the [clear] intention was to broadcast the tweet to all of their followers, with me/my brand included as a mention or in hopes I/we would retweet.
In cases with the latter intention where brands hope my brand will retweet the message, most of the time it’s warranted because the tweet is by a brand related to my brands. Fine, I don’t care if you do it; I’m actually more than happy to spread your message for you… BUT, please-oh-please-oh-please, for my sanity and that of everyone else who I may rant at in frustration (and those rants occur far too often), do not place my/my brand’s Twitter @username at the front of your tweet.
I know, it could be tough and time-consuming to re-write your tweet when the drafted tweet already makes so much sense and sounds perfect when you read it aloud. But, c’mon. If you are a community/social media manager, you should know the simple fact that a @username in the front of your tweet acts as a @reply. Only your followers who also follow me/my brand will read your tweet in their timeline.
This doesn’t only apply to brands. It also applies to regular users/non-brand owners…but when a brand commits this sin, and when it’s a multi-million dollar brand that I know can afford a decent community manager, it’s especially unacceptable.
It’s a simple concept.
Tweet right. Do it right. Don’t make me feel bad for you.
The CMO’s Guide to the Social Landscape. Do you agree with all of the above?
(via gigidowns)
