As I read through the forums every day I always take a peek at other members' latest Tweets and blog post titles [at least when they're available next to their username] and I have to admit I am sometimes downright amazed at the kinds of things otherwise *professional* virtual assistants are tweeting about or the words they use to get their point across. It's as if, in an effort to 'build relationships' on Twitter they've taken the 'be yourself' motto to an extreme. Blog posts are always less shocking as they tend to be more about presenting a professional persona to begin with. But Twitter is another story.

Fellow VAs, I agree that Twitter is a place where you will gain more connections, and ultimately clients, by being yourself and not pushing the sales mentality too much - but there IS a line between who you are in your professional life and who you are while at home in your jammies among friends. Or at least there should be!

Do NOT make the mistake of getting too relaxed on Twitter! It's an easy line to cross - you can banter back and forth with people all day long and forget entirely that they are essentially strangers who have nothing more to judge you on than the very few words you can fit into 140 characters at a time. They don't know that you're well educated, skilled at what you do, or a real brain with tons of great insight UNLESS you present that way.

Do realize that if I'm reading your tweets, you can safely assume that so are your potential clients when they land on your posts here and on Twitter. And as really wonderful as the 'real you' surely is - there can be too much of a good thing.

Keep your language in check, think about the words you use to express yourself on Twitter before you publish them for all to read [and judge]. Those 140 characters make crass language all the more obvious, and disappointing, to your readers.

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Great post, Tess. Thank you for the gentle, but important reminder.

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Delilah Smith
Caliber Virtual Services

This exhortation is applicable for all social networking sites, not just Twitter. Once something is "out there" on the 'net, it's almost impossible to take back.

Thanks for the reminder, Tess!

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Blessings,
Carol

Oh so true..... I learned this lesson long ago on a forum far far away.... what you say online, anyone and everyone can and will read it......

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www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,

Yeah, I've been trying to tweet responsibly . I at least try to make sure to leave on a good tweet when I sign off - because I know that's the one that will show for a while in this forum. Or anywhere else they've been set up to show.

I read somewhere that even if you delete a tweet, it's only deleted off your own account. It still sticks around in the background and will come up in searches.

Deb

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Deb at Ivy Freelance
Metrics, Marketing and Macros

Excellent points, Tess. I'll be setting up a VA Twitter acct. completely separate from the one I use for close friends, etc. for just those reasons.

Tess, thanks for this post. I just set up a VA Twitter account and have already formed some very negative opinions of some of the VAs I follow because of their posts. I thought I was just being a prude.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

Originally Posted by candoassistant

Excellent points, Tess. I'll be setting up a VA Twitter acct. completely separate from the one I use for close friends, etc. for just those reasons.

I used to think this same way, problem is, if you use your real name when registering as a user, someone can still find it regardless if its personal or not. Just be really careful what you write in cyber space... big brotha is watching!! (candoassistant, Im not talking to you specifically, just as a rule) It is very common for people who are just a little computer literate to google someone before they have anything professional to do with them (or personal!) its crazy!!


ps - where is my twitter feed? It was there yesterday.... must investigate!!

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www.sageva.com
Shelley Halpain,

A good topic! I have wondered the same thing and thought I was being too critical. I have a twitter acct but haven't done anything with it yet. I know what not to do!

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Caroline ~"Thoughts become things"

I like the reminder Tess, thanks! I always try to watch what I say because you never know how it will be interpreted. Keep in mind too that sometimes your conversations with other only show one side and that can make an impression as well.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant