I like Twitter. I communicate with some consumers as ell as some of my peers through Twitter. As an organizer of Social Media Breakfast Atlanta (#smbatl), we use Twitter for promotion as well as to recap... and even during the event. Heck, I have 1200+ followers and almost 2800 updates... obviously I think it is a worthwhile tool.
But as I was reviewing my new followers, I was actually shocked by a tweet from one of them... needless to say, I did NOT choose to follow them back. In under 140 characters she dropped the F-bomb twice... and had a couple of poop commentaries (she utilized another short word).
Personally, I'm not offended by colorful language. I have been known to use a little myself... especially in Atlanta traffic... But I don't generally use it lightly and over a manicure appointment... Ok, I don't get manicure appointments, but if I did I don't think I would cuss at the world if it got canceled because someone was sick... especially if the salon called to let me know before I showed up.
But all of that is just unimportant detail...
The important part...
This was a person with an appropriate avatar. They have a respectable number of followers. They had several hundred updates. But the first thing I saw when they followed me was a string of obscenities over nothing. Is that how ANY of us wish to represent ourselves? I think not...
Back when the rest of the country was playing with CB radios (we Jeep guys STILL use them), everyone knew what the squelch dial was. The short definition is that it was a knob that lowered the sensitivity of the radio and got rid of background noise.
I just turned the squelch dial on that one... And I do it regularly. On my @LaneBailey account, I am pretty open to whom I choose to follow back. Aside from spammers, pornbots and people that just broadcast crap all of the time... I'm likely to follow back. But with my @Lilburn account... not so much. If you aren't in Gwinnett County, I probably won't follow you back. I have a few people in the industry I follow... but it is consumer and geographically focused.
Don't be afraid to use the squelch dial...
Turn down the noise. Don't follow people that aren't worth following. Unfollow people that aren't worth following. And don't contribute to the noise, either... Be follow worthy. And to be honest... I am not always follow-worthy. I have too many of my blog posts going to Twitter automatically. I need to spend more time engaging. But at least I have crossed the first step... I know there is something I need to fix.
And that is the final idea... Examine your presence on ALL of your networks. Change it as needed.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
Good post Lane. I have thousands of followers on Twitter and very few of them actually swear, and those who do, if they do it enough, I will unfollow them and block them. Oh, and I noticed your different groups you posted to, so now I have to check those out too! Thanks!
Thank you SO MUCH for your contribution to cleaning up the potty mouths! People don't realize how ignorant and uncool it makes them sound. Whatever the setting.
Holy Cow Batman.....I'm being followed by someone I don't want following me!
I read a blog/article about someone being sued over a Tweet....how long do they last....not long.
But Google....he's got a memory that just won't quit.
I'm more and more careful, especially with e-mails dealing with all the neighborhood issues I deal with, what I put in print that might jump out and bite me in the --- behind in the future!
Not everyone thinks that way I guess!
Stacy - I swear on occasion, but it should mean something, not be that casual... It was just annoying...
Janna - I don't mind potty mouths... I just didn't care for it to be related to my Twitter account... it doesn't represent me.
Thom - I'm not going to sue you... Really!
Lane, Lane, Lane...
I delete folks too who are offensive. You could not believe the number I deleted during the Presidential elecion. Ha.
Yes one used the F bomb WAY to much.
Clearly, our language counts.
Our spelling counts.
Everything counts, especially when it is documented online.
I have been quite cautious who I follow and with all the less than business like conversation that I've seen I am quick to delete the follow on anyone that uses that type of language.
I don't know why...but the f-bomb seems to be part of some people's everyday language including online..I for one am selective in who I follow..
Yesterday I was listening to music and one of my favorites just has to destroy songs with the f-bomb great way to influence our children..and yes a pop star!
I can identify with unfollowing or blocking useage when someone does not know how to behave. I just don't want to be associated with those people who care so little about themselves.
Lane - Another great post! I tell agents in my area to be selective and not get too into how many followers or friends they have. It's easier if you start out that way, rather than double back and do the clean-up...
Missy - I don't delete many... I like divergent opinions... but she was being pointless.
Mark - Yes, it does.
Terry - I'm not quick to delete, but I'm not afraid to...
Midori - There is a time and a place... In business it is VERY rare.
Evelyn - ditto
Bill - Sure is...
I've had to de-friend a few FB friends because of their obscenity-laced comments. Who really wants to see that on their wall? And definitely don't use it in business-related commentaries. Ugh.
Susan - I'm not offended by the language... but there is a place and a time.