Are you new to Twitter? Or can you remember when you had just started using Twitter? When you are a newbie, there seems to be so much to figure out.

So, it might be good to be warned early about five things!

1. Every Tweet is permanent and searchable

You can delete a Tweet, but if it has been retweeted or reacted upon, then it is too late.

Never operate Social Media under the influence of alcohol
Never Tweet anything that you wouldn’t want your mother or your children to read
Never Tweet anything you wouldn’t want to appear as a headline in a newspaper or in a court case
Never Tweet in anger, step away and reply when you have had a chance to calm down

2. Double-check your Tweet

Twitter operates in real time and often you will give a quick response to something. It is easy for your Tweet to be misinterpreted or go out with a mistake. Leaving out the word “not” can make a BIG difference to a sentence. So before you hit the Tweet button…

Check that the meaning is clear
Check your spelling and for typos
Check that all the words are there and in the right order

3. Don’t open suspicious links

Twitter accounts get hacked and you will find Tweets in your Messages (also called DMs or Direct Messages) from people that you know that don’t sound right. If your friend is offering you sex tips, a free iPad or says they heard something bad about you with a link, then there is a strong chance that their accounts have been hacked.

DO NOT click on the link.

If you are suspicious, ask your Twitter friend if they sent it to you
Make sure your account is not hacked by having a strong password

There seems to be a growing trend where you will be sent a link via a Tweet directed at you using your Twitter name or an @mention . If someone you don’t follow, sends you a link which is completely out of context,

DO NOT click on the link.

Check their Tweets
If you see a stream of similiar Tweets then report them for Spam which will also block them

4. Not all Followers are Real People

Some accounts are automated to collect as many followers as possible. They are called bots. There is no point in following them, they will unfollow you in a few days time anyway.

If you want to know How to spot a bot, then read this previous post.

5. Addiction

Twitter can be very addictive

If you spend hours a day on Twitter
If you are writing Tweets in your head even if you not on Twitter
If you get tense if you don’t have access to your Twitter Stream and feel that you are missing something important
If you check Twitter first thing when you wake up in the morning and last thing at night
If you read your Twitter stream when you are out with friends or on a date

You may be an addict. You could go cold turkey or you could work in getting your Twitter habits back into control.

A top tip from @BehaviourA

What warning would you give to people starting out on Twitter?

Don’t forget to retweet or share this article with anyTwitter Newbies you know.

Nicky Kriel

Nicky Kriel is a Social Media Coach & Trainer inspiring, educating and empowering Business Owners to use Social Media more strategically. She is also the author of How to Twitter for Business Success. For more information visit http://www.nickykriel.com or to find out about her courses that she runs in Guildford visit http://www.nickykriel.com/courses