Lessons in Twittering

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor's "cattle class" comment on microblogging site Twitter has ensured a media furore and calls for his resignation. Such is Twitter's popularity that there are several businesses around the service, but Twitter itself has little idea on how to make money. On the other hand, Facebook is growing rapidly and blogging is still not pass. Twitters, too, are yet to master all the rules of twitting. So here's a "dos and don'ts" list.

• Your Twitter account and your blog are private and reflect only your thoughts. But even if you run a disclaimer, your opinions can be reflective of a certain bias. Tread carefully on subjects that involve you or your company.
• Take care about what your colleagues say. In an attempt to prove loyalty to you or the company, they can do far more harm than good. Have a proper 'public engagement' policy in place for your minions, and one for yourself.
• Do not under any circumstance get involved in a 'flame war' online. A 'flame war' happens when two or more people start arguing online. A long and sustained 'flame war' can damage your reputation more than a mistimed punch.
• Don't try and be too preachy either, because that would make anyone sound like a complete twit. So what if it is only 140 characters?
• You found something funny online and want to share it on Twitter or a blog? Go ahead, but please spend some time checking the antecedents of what you are posting. The Internet is full of sob-stories and hoaxes. Be wary.
• Different social networks serve different purposes. LinkedIn is for professional contacts and Facebook is for friends. Twitter is to tell people about what you are thinking or doing. People won't add you just because you know them.
• Follow back only if the situation demands, but a moderate 'following' list on Twitter also highlights your taste. Only news-bots and people with a highly exaggerated opinion of themselves follow virtually no-one.

Tweet Tips

• Getting the hang of how to use Twitter? First things first, don't use the Web interface of the service. Instead, use an application such as TweetDeck, Tweetie or Twitterific.
• If you want to use multiple accounts- useful if you maintain separate work and personal accounts- use HootSuite.
• If you want to share a link on Twitter but find 140 characters too demanding a limit use an URL shortening service such as http://bit.ly.
• To post pictures use a service called Twitpic and to post videos use Twiddeo.
• Want to find out who are the most popular people on Twitter? Check out Twitterholic.com.