Over Tweeting: “Listen to the mockingbird”

I enjoy writing blogs like this, and sending out tweets when I run across a great article that I think will be of value to colleagues. However, I must admit that I have stopped tuning in on my TweetDeck on a daily basis. Why? Because I see more and more tweets that simply prattle on about subjects that I don’t have the time or interest in reading. Perhaps I need to go in and clean out my followers and create more robust lists. But this is not my point.

Yes, I use the global filter to remove unnecessary tweets by account, phrase, service or hashtag. However there is great value in silence that some twitter users should consider. Much like the song of a mockingbird you hear that makes you start off your day thinking: “What a great day!”, but by noon if that noisy mockingbird has been continually singing, you may be ready to put cotton in your ears at this point. Or, buy a pair of air traffic controller earmuffs! (That may be extreme.)

Over-tweeting may hurt you because twitter users, like myself, don’t like to hear the same thing over and over again, or could care less about where you're eating lunch, or who just walked “right by you”. Some people would disagree with me and say that repetition is important on twitter to help drive traffic, but all I suggest is you think about these simple rules to tweet by:

• Are my tweets useful to my target audience and colleagues?
• Is there a point I am trying to make through my tweet?
• Am I sharing a point of view that is constructive?
• Am I responding to a tweet – or just talking because I think someone may be interested in what I’m posting.
• How many times have I tweeted today?

Allowing some silence between your tweets allows your readers to develop a true point-of-view about you and your contribution to the twitter community. Thinking about these simple rules might help you earn more followers, and keep those you have. So, take a break, stop and think what you're posting, consider your audience and be respectful. Let’s admit it, we all have unfollowed an over-tweeter or two at some point.

Please try not to be like the mockingbird that starts off sounding sweet in the morning but by noon has repeated every sound. Like listening to clients' challenges in person or over the phone, we suggest you take a break, enjoy the silence and respond with originality, with value and with meaning.

Oh, and you can find me on twitter at @jeffreymorganca.