There are virtually no ways to misuse Twitter for personal use.
Anyone who doesn't like how you're using it can just stop "following" you - so ignore them.
However, there are a whole slew of ways to misuse Twitter for businesses, both small and large.
Setting up a Twitter account for your business and then never tweeting is one.
So is only tweeting about your brand and products.
Social media is about creating conversation with your consumers; consumers won't follow your tweets if they are simply advertisements.
One of the great tips that I've read from Chris Brogan (a social media superstar) is to ignore the famous Twitter prompt "What are you doing?" and instead answer "What has your attention?" This promotes the sharing of relevant information among a community of brands, customers, users, etc.
and can establish your company (or you, personally) as an authority in a field.
Share articles, news, funny and interesting happenings that are related to your business - people will listen! Start "following" people that are hubs (people with lots of followers) to get your messages out to the largest array of people.
Comment on others' tweets by using the @username function, use 1-to-1 messaging feature, share "Tiny URLs" with news about your industry, initiate polls and get opinions, and use the Twitter Search to keep tabs on people's tweets about your industry and your company.
These are some of the fundamental ways to use Twitter correctly, and when I meet with clients to discuss the art of microblogging and Twitter, they always hit the ground running!
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