{"id":2357,"date":"2011-01-23T06:00:10","date_gmt":"2011-01-23T06:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesocialcmo.com\/blog\/?p=2357"},"modified":"2011-01-23T06:00:10","modified_gmt":"2011-01-23T06:00:10","slug":"you-are-what-you-tweet-content-company-define-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thesocialcmo.com\/blog\/2011\/01\/you-are-what-you-tweet-content-company-define-us\/","title":{"rendered":"You Are What You Tweet: Content & Company Define Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"As little as two or three years ago for most of us, we relied on information mainly from the mainstream media.\u00a0 Today, the internet is content rich (and of course has been for longer than a few years) and with \u201ceveryday\u201d folks like me joining Twitter, Facebook, RSS feeds, etc. the content available is incomprehensible.\u00a0 I could go into all the stats available to support it, but since that\u2019s not where I\u2019m headed, I\u2019ll skip that.\u00a0 Where I am headed is this: you are defined, categorized, listed, judged and perceived by both the content you post AND the company you keep.<\/p>\n

Yes, I said that and\u2014although I don\u2019t have the metrics to prove it\u2014I can tell you from my own personal experience online that it\u2019s very true.\u00a0 I have tweeted \u201cYou are what you Tweet\u201d and what I mean by that is this: If you want to be recognized for a certain type of skill, industry, vocation, cause, etc, tweet 80% of content about or relevant to that subject(s). A new 80-20 rule:\u00a0 I tell clients to post 80% about business related content and 20% other stuff.\u00a0 What\u2019s other stuff? I say reserve it for this: fun with other Twitter friends, hobbies, and family\u2014but not too much.\u00a0 I think this is a good formula in general for keeping your \u201cstream\u201d valuable and credible, yet interesting while simultaneously demonstrating that you are indeed a real person with a sense of humor and knack for attracting like-Tweeters.\u00a0 Ah-ha!<\/p>\n

Remember when you were in high school and your parents would cringe when you mentioned hanging out with someone who maybe fell into any of these categories: A. got into trouble with parents\/authorities B. Used mean words, bullied people and generally was the class jerk; C. Got bad grades because they didn\u2019t care; D. were always sneaking out and breaking rules to get ahead\u2026you know the types. Well guess what? Those people are still out there on Twitter and in business and all over the world.\u00a0 I tell my kids now that if the kids their ages (11 & 15) are brats and bullies, they will most likely manifest those characteristics in other ways as adults.\u00a0 So, just like we learned to avoid those in high school, we should also avoid them online. Birds of a feather flock together! <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Simply put, I believe we are judged and evaluated by the company we keep on Twitter as well as how we debate and treat other people.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll give you an example without naming names.\u00a0 In Memphis currently, we have a City School Charter up for grabs (we have 2 governments) and the issue is complex, involves legal issues, is highly political and emotional\u2014we\u2019re talking about education and kids. As this controversy unfolds, I have been amazed by what some high profile people\u2014including some of our local media\u2014have said on Twitter.\u00a0 Healthy and constructive debate is good.\u00a0 Bashing people on Twitter? Not so much. \u00a0Talking about drinking games while our city council holds its meeting?\u00a0 Not smart in my opinion. \u00a0I have watched as people of influence who might have \u201cjoined this conversation\u201d have done the opposite\u2014left it or decided not to share the Twitter stage with people whom they wish NOT to be associated with.\u00a0 I agree.\u00a0 It\u2019s like when a client is included in a story in the media. I always want to know\u2014of course we don\u2019t always know\u2014who else will be included in the story.\u00a0 Like it or not, I think we are judged by the company we keep. And it\u2019s beginning to be clear to me on Twitter as well.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been documented that being positive, helpful and generous on Twitter is THE way to earn followers and a good \u201cTwitter Rapport.\u201d\u00a0 I understand and support that but that doesn\u2019t mean there is not a time and a place stand up for an issue or point. Just be sure you do it with grace and dignity.\u00a0 People are watching to see how we handle one another online.\u00a0 I believe that history will continue to write this as Twitter grows.\u00a0 Be sure your \u201cchapters\u201d are ones you will be proud of!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0As I wrap this, I thought a few bullet points I use for my clients might be helpful to both individuals when developing their Twitter strategy:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n