Twitter has hit the mainstream, and that means there is an influx of Twitter rookies. If you are new to Twitter, check over this list before you tweet. These are the top 10 signs someone is a Twitter rookie, including hints on how to not look like a newbie instead.

1. They reply to people without actually using the proper format. (Hint: you want to use the person who you are replying to’s name, for example @username at beginning of tweet).
2. They complain about people who tweet too much. (Hint: when you’re new and only follow a few people, the really active and influential tweeters will dominate your stream. Instead of complaining and alienating people who can help you the most, get to know Twitter better and follow more people who are a good match for you topic or interest-wise.)
3. They automate their Twitter stream with their RSS feed, look at their stats, see no clicks to their blog, and determine Twitter isn’t useful. (Hint: an RSS feed isn’t a conversation.)
4. They interrupt Twitter news, parties or events to ask, “What is #inserttaghere about? (Hint: hashtags, or words/terms with the number symbol at the beginning, are conversations on one topic. You can often find out what they are about with a Google search of the tag. You can also search the tag to see the whole conversation.)
5. They don’t have a bio or avatar, or even a personalized background for that matter. (Hint: you should use a clear headshot, use your real name in the name entry and not a company name even if your handle is your company name, and you should include a bio with keywords to help like-minded people find you.)
6. They autoDM people who follow them. Yes, even with a thank you. Yes, it’s still annoying. Worse yet? AutoDMing with an offer to the follower to “feel free” to visit your blog or get your free email newsletter. Worst of all? AutoDM someone with tips on how to use Twitter, such as saying “to join the conversation @me or d me.” You just might send it to followers who know far better than you how to use Twitter. (Hint: you don’t need to automatically thank everyone. When someone interesting follows you, jump in the conversation and @them in reply to something they tweeted. Better yet, retweet them by quoting their quote with RT @theirname at the beginning.)
7. They use Twitter only to self-promote. All of their posts are about their business of blog. (Hint: Twitter is like a big networking event. You wouldn’t go around shoving your business card in people’s faces at a dinner party, would you? Then don’t do that online either. Mingle, get to know people, have some conversations.)
8. They tweet in all capital letters. (Hint: that is shouting, and very annoying. Tone it down!)
9. They get on Twitter to self-promote, and then protect their updates. And then follow people. (Hint: unless you have a major reason to protect your updates, keep it open. It’s a really odd experience to be followed by someone, only to ask permission to follow the person back. This is a social network, not an anti-social network.)
10. Tweeting non-stop minutia. It’s OK to tweet something silly or an odd observation, but people don’t need to know about every small detail of your life. (Hint: ask yourself if this might actually interest your followers. If you aren’t sure, some little details of life do really engage followers. See which ones get lots of replies, and that will help you determine which minutia is quirky and engaging, and which is just minute.)

The great thing about Twitter? It helped me write this article! Special thanks to @prCarrS, iFroggy, DougPiranha, goodlifediva, notdiyHeather, MomsWhoSave, and many others who provided feedback for this article. That is yet another hint for those new to Twitter. If you aren’t sure, ask. There are many on Twitter who are savvy at using it and happy to offer help and advice.

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