Twitter Trends I Don't Understand
by Roy Atkinson
#1: No avatar? No Bio?
It seems to me to be a pretty basic concept that you pay attention--at least a little bit--to how you project your image to the entire planet. If you're going to bother being on Twitter, I would think you would at least choose your own avatar (not a default Twitter one), and would write a few words about who you are and/or what you do, especially if you are trying to get a presence going for a business endeavor.So my mind boggles when I see new followers who have a default avatar and who are well beyond the first few tweets, or when seemingly bright people who might be interesting have no bio. None. Guess what... I might take the time to try to figure out what you're about by looking at your tweet stream, but chances are I will just ignore you.
#2: No URL shortener?
Why on earth would you want to use up all 140 characters by using a long URL? Why on earth would I follow you when I look at your tweets and see long URL after long URL and nothing else? Tell me why I should click on the link. Make me want to check it out. if it's a link to your homemade jewelry on eBay or Etsy, tell me. Tell me something. Anything.
I seem to be seeing these behaviors more and more as time goes on. If you expect people to follow you, you should give them a reason to follow you. Not everyone (thank goodness) just automatically follows everyone back. Offer me some value even if it's small.
I'm reminded of people who throw together a crummy resume and then don't understand why they don't get hired. Pay attention to what you do. Mistakes should be forgiven. Laziness and disregard for others is a bit harder to take.
My $.02
