It’s easy for teachers on Twitter to feel a little out of their depth.
You probably have zero time to learn about hashtags and retweets, followers and engagement.
The problem with social media is that it’s so public.
That exposes you to the risk of public embarrassment.
If you make a blunder, chances are someone will see it.
So Twitter mistakes have the potential to damage your reputation and your credibility.
But don’t give up on social media yet.
Twitter mistakes can easily be avoided.
Just follow these easy tips.
20 Tips for Teachers on Twitter – What NOT to do!
Your Twitter account needs to directly benefit your teaching career.
It should showcase your interesting work, and communicate your professional achievements.
And it can – as long as you don’t make any of these common mistakes…
1. DON’T hesitate to add some personality to your Twitter profile.
How will you stand out from all the other teachers out there?
2. DON’T make personal comments about your workmates, manager, or institution.
Twitter is a public platform. Anyone can see what you post.
3. DON’T discuss student issues in a Tweet.
Even if you don’t name names, there’s potential here for the student to recognise themselves and complain.
4. DON’T be intimidated by posting content.
The life of a tweet is usually mere minutes.
This is not like publishing a book or article, where everything is set in stone.
5. DON’T be scared of making changes to your bio and header.
They SHOULD evolve and change as you do new things.
It’s good practice to keep refining them.
6. DON’T be too modest.
If you don’t tell people about your achievements, how will they know?
Stick to the facts, sure – but showcase your work confidently.
7. DON’T leave your Twitter banner blank or bland.
Show potential followers a little more about who you are by adding a fitting visual element: a quote, a photo, your personal mission statement.
8. DON’T spend hours at a time on Twitter.
This is a career tool first and foremost.
It must improve your visibility – not waste your time.
9. DON’T be stiff and formal.
Twitter is essentially a series of short chatty interchanges.
It’s fine to be casual here.
10. DON’T publish a bunch of text only posts.
People on Twitter love images – give them something to catch their eye.
11. DON’T send people direct messages automatically when they follow you.
Twitter sees this as spam, and your account could get suspended.
12. DON’T forget to proofread your tweets!
Typos and errors are too easy with this quick, often mobile form of communication.
It makes a bad impression.
13. DON’T get drawn into arguments on Twitter.
With so 67 million people on the platform, of course some of them hold different views.
So be it. Move on to connect with people you DO resonate with.
14. DON’T use a formal photo of yourself from a wedding you attended in 1991.
Get a recent, smiling, well-lit one that draws people to you.
15. DON’T ignore people who comment on your tweets.
That’s rude on Twitter, just as in real life.
16. DON’T set your account to private.
The whole point of Twitter is to communicate and connect.
(Otherwise just keep a diary…)
17. DON’T use a full URL for links.
It takes up too much space and looks unprofessional.
Use a URL shortener like bit.ly.
18. DON’T disappear for weeks at a time.
You have to show up regularly on Twitter so people can engage with you.
19. DON’T use all of the available 280 characters in a tweet if you don’t have to.
The point of Twitter is to be short and sweet.
20. DON’T let a Twitter troll ruin your day.
Block rude or abusive accounts, and remove their power to upset you.
Most of the people out there on Twitter are great – interact with them instead.
So there you have it – a crash course in the most common Twitter mistakes.
Now you know how NOT to make public blunders on this social media platform, you can tap into all the positives of Twitter – from building your network, to finding new career opportunities.
Image credit: onyxprj @ Canstockphoto.com
