As some of you may know, I am a massive advocate of Twitter and what it can do for you in business (and socially). As a PR and communications consultant, Twitter has become an integral part of what I do. So now whenever I go out with non-Twitterers I get bombarded with questions and general cliches.

So here is my first part of advice for anyone looking to use this form of social media. First, some common cliches to combat.

1. Twitter is not Facebook, so don’t expect it to be.
Despite what some people think, Twitter is not just the status part of Facebook. What would be the point of that? It’s new and it’s a different way of forming networks and comunicating. But you can’t know what it’s like unless you give it a go.

2. Twitter doesn’t do anything.
Yes, this is what people say to me all the time. Of course it doesn’t when you first log on so don’t sit there staring at it, and say “But nothing is happening.” It’s what you make of it and how you want to use it.

3. It’s just people talking about what they had for lunch.
No, despite what you might hear, Twitter is is not people telling you they had a nice cheeseburger.
Maybe sometimes or occasionally people (ahem, me) might mention a meal, but only in the same way your work colleague might talk about a rather good sandwich. But trust me, this is not what Twitter is about.

4. It’s just celebrities talking rubbish.
Ignore anything you might read in the Daily Mail (or most papers, for that matter) about Twitter. If you pull out single bits of any network or conversation it would sound stupid. Yes, there are lots of celebrities on Twitter, but most of them don’t follow you back so it’s a pointless one-way ego-trip for them. You’re better than that!

5. It’s just for geeks
It’s not just for geeks (whoever they may be), it’s for anyone who likes to communicate or has a message to get out there. The Twitter community is, on the whole, very friendly so come and say hello!

Follow me on Twitter and say hi.

 

Carolyn Hughes is a communications and PR consultant in Manchester.
www.carolyhughescomms.co.uk