Twitter Mistakes

Mashable.com did a good writeup of how not to use Twitter.com.

FOLLOW FAIL: The Top 10 Reasons I Will Not Follow You in Return on Twitter:
http://mashable.com/2009/01/06/twitter-follow-fail/

Here are the reasons:
(with my comments added)

• You have no user avatar -- the default o_O avatar means "confused" so it's a good idea to upload a custom avatar right away. Many spam accounts on Twitter don't have an avatar, so many people won't follow you if you leave the default avatar.
• You list no location, no website, or no bio -- Twitter is about networking so it's good to have a bio and link to your site so people can see if you're interesting enough to follow.
• Your "website" listed is a MySpace profile
• You're following over 1,000 users, have 20 followers, and no updates -- often an indication of a spammer.
• Your profile features any variation of "Internet expert" -- Twitter is overrun with this. Ok to say "Internet marketing", but not "Internet marketing expert".
• Your updates clearly indicate that your Twitter activity is always, only, about pushing your own service/product -- don't continually say, "check out my website".
• Your following and my return follow result in a poorly-constructed auto-DM reading, "Thx for the follow! How can I help you get to a 4-Hour Work Week?" -- sending automated direct messages (DMs) are considered spammy.
• Your most recent updates make references to any need to achieve "more Twitter followers
• Your Twitter stream indicates a propensity for consistent arguing
• You do not engage your Twitter followers -- Twitter is for having conversations, so it's good to reply to people and communicate with them.

Side note: a 2nd HostelManagement.com ebook is coming soon called Twitter for Hostels with step-by-step instructions on how to use Twitter...