Just as common sense isn’t common, neither is etiquette.  Especially in social media.

image by BioInsights

Here’s a general rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t say it in a normal conversation, don’t say it on social media.

Scratch that.

If you don’t have common sense, appealing to reason, and asking you to exercise common sense, won’t work.  Just take a look at my social media etiquette rules below.

The 15 rules of social media etiquette

1. Thank someone for ReTweet-ing you. Especially if they share one of your posts with their followers.  If you don’t, it’s the equivalent of someone saying, “Great job on that speech!” …and you glancing them in the eye, then turning and walking away.

2. Create stuff. Don’t just be a commenter.

3. Comment on stuff. Don’t just be a creator.

4. Enter the conversation regularly. Not just as a response to someone engaging you.

5. Don’t make it all about you, your book, your blog, your podcast, or your life. Even if you are that awesome, we don’t want to hear about it all of the time.

6. ReTweet, ReTweet, ReTweet. Be copious with your ReTweet-ing.

7. If you’ve got something mean to say, say it via DM. Don’t publicly say something everyone can see. Reword it to make it a constructive criticism, not just a destructive one.

8. Keep your blog posts short. If I wanted to read a book, I’d have bought a book.

9. Don’t auto-Direct Message me. Ever.

10. If I want to read your blog, I’ll read your blog. No need for you to DM me about it.  Especially when it’s already in your profile bio.

11. Give more than you receive.

12. Don’t ask me to ReTweet your post. Create better content so I’ll be compelled to ReTweet it without being asked.

13. Build relationships. It’s called “social” media for a reason.

14. Don’t vent on social media. It’s unflattering.

15. Don’t be an auto-bot. Of course, if you’re an auto-bot, you’re probably not reading this post, so this last point is unhelpful.  Sorry.

Any other social media etiquette I missed?