Twitter-brained Twittering
Twitter is an excellent promotional tool for writers (as well as others, such as, say athletes). We can promote new books, show potential and current readers bits of our personalities, win new friends. We can also put our feet so far into our mouths we chew off our knees.
Twitter-storms are ugly. They blow up in seconds. They don’t dissipate easily. They can make your life a misery.
Yes, freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. I support it. I suggest taking one second before you click “send” on an inflammatory email or a controversial tweet, however. The internet doesn’t forget and it seldom forgives. An angry tweet or email can come back to haunt you weeks, months, or even years later.
Take a deep breath and consider whether or not you really want that 140 character blast to represent you and your brand.
That old cliché about discretion and valor? It got to be a cliché for a reason.
As someone who was on the receiving end of a Twitter-storm while I was nearly dying … I know how hurtful and explosive it can be. It’s devastating. And to have saved screenshots of it floating around as a constant reminder is pretty hard to handle, too. Ugh.
I love you.
I know. Your experience is only one of the springboards for this post, though. I was really thinking as much about something that exploded in the Twitterverse when a Pittsburgh Steeler said some things I’ll bet he’d thought twice before he sent out there. Twitter is a public place. And it never forgets. So whether we’re making personal or professional tweets, we need to think a little bit.
Glad I’m not a twit – er.
Ah, but Twitter can be such a great tool for writers. I’ve gotten some great contacts and tips. A person just has to (a) not spend her whole day there and (b) not get twitter-happy and tweet without thinking. Same as email. Thanks for the comment!!