Learning to use Twitter is an odd experience. It takes a while to get the hang of it. For months, Twitter was something I would avoid. With email, IM, my blog and my business, who has time for another time suck? But just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. It's a cross between a IM, a chat room and a stock market ticker tape updating you on everything. So I tried it, put it away for a month, tried it again, made some mistakes. Here are a few of the lessons I've learned in a fairly short time.

  1. Twitter is pretty simple and it is hard to really get the benefit of Twitter unless you are using something like Tweetdeck.
  2. Find some friends to coach you. I started using Twitter without really understanding it. A friend helped me figure out and coached me through some of the start-up pain.
  3. Have a good reason to Twitter. I still feel like I don't have a great reason or a real focus. I'll try to improve how I use it.
  4. Get involved and be useful. When you add value to the conversation, you attract followers.
  5. Don't Tweet and drink. Enough said.
  6. Don't Tweet and drive.
  7. Twitter is more and less than IM. I don't really know what I mean when I say this, but give me a week or so and I'm sure I will clarify this statement.
  8. Don't try to sell.
  9. Stay connected. On the days that I Tweet, I get more followers. On the days that I don't Tweet, I don't. Do the math.
  10. I'll add more as I learn more. If you have suggestions, send them over.
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