10 Tips For Creating a Twitter Account You Can Use Professionally


Social media is a slippery slope when it comes to maintaining personal and professional profiles.  It is becoming more difficult to maintain an equal, but separate relationship.

This is true specifically on Twitter.

More often than not professional people are required to use their personal Twitter accounts in the course of their careers: to interact with clients, to network, to meet potential new business contacts, to share information about your company, and to discover new ideas.

Even if you don’t specifically use your account for professional purposes be aware that partners, clients, customers, and human resource professionals will be reviewing your Twitter account.  As a result, it can have a powerful effect the impression you leave on these people.

That’s why it is crucial to keep your profile professional, but with a personal flair.  This can be a difficult balance.

So in no particular order here are 10 tips for keeping your profile professional.  And enjoy some of my favorite real Twitter bios that are, well, not exactly best practices material…

Tip #1: Fill out your biography

It’s amazing to me the number of people who leave their bios blank or don’t take the time to write a good one.  Your Twitter bio is often the first impression people get of you on the network.  So put your best foot forward.  People often check bios when deciding whether to follow someone.  They want to check and see if the persons shares their interests, geography or career.  As a rule, I rarely follow back anyone who hasn’t deigned to fill out the bio.

———-

(•_•) I am limited edition, enjoy me while you can, cuz once I’m gone there ain’t no getting me back! Sooooo follow me and I’ll follow back(:

———-

Tip #2: Make sure your bio describes what you do for a living

Some companies frown on being mentioned in personal bios.  But many do not.  So include them in your Twitter bio if you can.  For example, I include the @webershandwick handle in my bio.  It’s a live link that sends traffic to the Weber Shandwick Twitter account.  If can’t do this then provide a description of your job title or responsibilities: VP of Sales or Marketing Director will suffice.

———-

I’m a mildly-amusing jerk, illustrator and drummer. Regularly surrounded by idiots. Join, follow and stalk me.

———-

Tip #3: Make sure to share your passions, interests, hobbies and areas of expertise in your bio

People want to connect with people they relate to.  So give them a reason.  Tell them about what professional topics interest you.  But don’t stop there – open up and give a peek into your personal passions.  If they overlap – all the better.  And please be specific.  Telling your followers that you like “a few other things” isn’t that impressive.  And be smart about what your share.  Having an interest in erotica might be over sharing if you’re not a writer of it and is it really necessary to inform people that you’re a “party animal” or an “Anarchist”?

———-

Learning everyday. My life is just a local train station people come into and leave as soon as they get the chance.

———-

Tip #4: Avoid using double entendres, profanity and slang in your bio

Why would you ever describe yourself as a “trend whore” or as a “slut for social media”?  Yes, I’ve seen both in bios.  As a general rule try to avoid slang like “ain’t,” “gonna,” and “geek.”  And profanity – even stuff like “I’m here to kick-ass!” – comes across as juvenile.

———-

My favourite bands are MM and MIW. I’m not a slave to a world doesn’t give me a s**t. I hate Catolithism and Church. I’m not baptized, please Don’t pray for me

———-

Tip #5: Be positive!

Focus on the value you’ll provide followers.  Why tell them you “share way to much!” or  are  “too sarcastic”?  Instead put it in a more favorable wrapper: “I love to share my passions!” or “I enjoy sarcastic humor.”

———-

 All God does is watch us and kill us when we get boring. We must never, ever be boring.

———-

Tip #6: Spell check your bio

If you’re a freelance writer then you shouldn’t write “Free Lance Writer.”  Spelling counts.

———-

I’m dull. 

———-

Tip #7: Use common sense with your profile photograph

First, having a photograph is crucial.  Not having one identifies you as a novice.  But photographs of you hugging your girlfriend at the beach, showing off your cleavage in a halter top or guzzling a bottle scotch probably aren’t going to leave the impression you’re looking for.  Head shots actually work on Twitter.

———-

 F*** you & your swag! Does it look like a give a flying f***???

———-

Tip #8: Provide your location

Geography is important.  It’s not necessary to provide your exact location, but saying you work in Chicago or Boston is helpful and provides a frame of reference.  If you’re uncomfortable with being city specific – try using your state.

———-

I am the Prince of West Hampstead, The Fabulous Bastard of North Shields and The Sunshine on Longbenton.

———-

Tip #9: Provide a web link for people interested in more information about you

Twitter is great for networking.  So why not give people a better opportunity to learn more about you.  Provide a link to your LinkedIn profile, your Google+ account, your About.Me account or your blog or personal webpage.

———-

I’m so F***ing Happy I Could S**t Rainbows!

———-

Tip #10: Understand the medium

Twitter is huge.  There are more than 250 million people on the platform – from all across the world.  It’s important to remember that in this teeming collection of humanity there’s a good chance you’ll offend or anger someone with your tweets.  Simply stating your religion or your favorite sports team can set some people off.  You can avoid conflict and messy flame wars by ignoring the trolls.  You don’t have to respond to ugly behavior.  If you do engage with those your disagree with you – do so politely.  You can be firm and opinionated without being rude.

———-

I’m quite friendly. :) My personality is strange though.

———-

Bonus Tip #11: The golden rule for Twitter: Pretend you’re talking to people face to face

It’s amazing what people will say when they think they are protected by the Internet.  However, this is only an illusion.  When you are tweeting under your own name and identity, you are responsible for your what you say.  Always remember that.

Happy tweeting!

And feel free to add your own tips and observations about using your personal Twitter account professionally.

3 Responses to “10 Tips For Creating a Twitter Account You Can Use Professionally”

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. 10 Tips For Creating a Twitter Account You Can Use Professionally | bhattibytes - April 17, 2012

    [...] 10 Tips For Creating a Twitter Account You Can Use Professionally [...]

  2. Savvy Writing Careers-How to Write a Twitter Bio That Gets You Noticed and Followers - April 26, 2012

    [...] 10 Tips For Creating a Twitter Account You Can Use Professionally (hightalk.net) [...]

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