By now, you need to live in North Korea to not have heard of Twitter. I’ll admit, at first I didn’t really get it, but after a while, I’ve managed to figure out how to use the site to engage others and make new connections. (The Wall Street Journal actually had an article about the high rate of Twitter Quitters yesterday). After a while playing around, I’ve seen how proper use of the site can result in a steady flow of new traffic to my website(s). I’ve also seen a few thing that people do regularly that really turn me off. I’m sure that I’m not alone in these points, and thought it worth a quick discussion.

Want to Lose Twitter Followers? Here’s How:

1. When someone new follows you, make sure you send an auto-DM to them that points them to some affiliate program you’re a part of
2. Publically send your followers advertisements, affiliate links, or other SPAMMY garbage
3. Use your Twitter account to post the same advertisement over and over again in every post you make
4. Get into flame wars with others as often as possible
5. Constantly yell at everyone by POSTING IN ALL CAPS
6. Thank every user that follows you. There is no need to do it. STOP!
7. Only posting tweets when you’ve got a new blog post. If you’ve got nothing to say, why bother with an account? Just give people your feed reader. The only reason people will follow you is because you follow them back . . . which brings me to
8. Follow 2,000 people after opening your account. We haven’t figured that tactic out yet (eyes rolling)

Got more of your own? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to jump on Twitter and follow me at http://www.twitter.com/jrdorkin.

Tags: Social Networking, spam, Twitter