The One Where I Talk About Twitter

I've sort of had it with a few habits and practices as a frequent user and lover of Twitter. I came up with a short list which became a longer list. Here it is. It is made up of mostly don'ts or things to avoid. Please note: these are arbitrary Twitter rules from a self-appointed non-expert. Stop auto-DMing. I got one the other day from a well-known agency that said:  "So And So is all about innovation! Blah blah blah other words here!" I DMed back: "You know what's not innovative? Auto DMs." Never heard back.

Stop .@ing. Be creative and work the name in.

Stop making plans on the timeline - use your phone or DM. It says, "ME! ME! ME!" (waving hands like a first grader) more than any other activity on Twitter (except maybe the next one). You also get people inviting themselves, and rightfully.

Don't retweet all of your mentions. Please? Pick a special one now and then, like when your favorite blogger @s you. I'd even RT that mention.

Never argue or pick fights.  Bite your fingertips. It makes you look bad. No one else but you. (Read it again.)

Stop auto-posting your 4sq updates. Once I know you do this, I lose interest in all of your posts. Unless that's what you want? Then carry on.

Stop complaining. Occasionally it's fine. Especially when it's a #laughatyourself moment.

Stop doing this: "In case you missed my blog post, here it is again." We didn't. Stop.

Stop #ff. Or if you MUST, pick one person a week that blows your mind and tell us WHY. With gusto. We're all busy people! Lists of @s are unacceptable. I skip right over them like I do green DOTS.

Stop cross-posting. (Putting identical messages on all the networks.) The occasional one is acceptable. For example: It's a girl! Or: I'm gay! Big deals you want everyone to know twice.

Post only the articles you read that MAKE YOUR BRAIN SPARKLE.  The ones that you wish you wrote they're so good. Same goes with retweeting. They should say: I care about this. It means something to me. Or: it made me laugh.  Hard.

Go forth and do these things liberally:

• Promote others and awesome things they are working on oodles more than your own stuff. Oodles.

• Be supportive and empathetic. Pat people on the back.

• Make people laugh. But never at the expense of others.

• Always use spellcheck.

• Be genuine. It shows when you're not.

My goal on Twitter is to amuse or educate. What's yours?

Be Better Birthday

It's my birthday today and all eyes are on me, so why not take a minute to highlight a few of my favorite charities? I encourage you (gently) to make a donation or perhaps volunteer in honor of my special day. Do your own Be Better Birthday. Or do it just because it makes you better, therefore making others who observe you better. Any reason is fine, pick one and do it, today. (Please?) Charity Water - you will be blown away by how cheap it is to buy clean water. www.charitywater.org Specifically, I'd like to help my friend Erica meet her goal: http://bit.ly/ericah2o

Jenny's Light - Their goal is to improve & save lives by increasing awareness about postpartum depression. Read the stories. www.jennyslight.org

Open Arms Minnesota - We take food and its abundance for granted. Open Arms' clients do not. www.openarmsmn.org

There are many worthy charities. Choose one that speaks to you and take the first step. Then, please tell me your stories.