What are the right and wrong ways to utilize Twitter?

Right-twittering builds trust and relationships — amplifying your brand with more brilliance than a blimp with your face on it.

Wrong-twittering leads to spam and distress — encouraging disdain like a sportscaster yelling Bingo! at every shot.

But we can’t miss on Twitter.

Twitter is the town-square of the 21st century.

So how do we make sure we’re amassing an enthused crowd and not an angry mob?

The Twitter Leading Authority?

Well, why not turn to best-selling book of all time for some Twitter advice?

What’chu talking about Nicodemus?

The Bible. That’s right — The Bible has more applicable Tweet-wisdom than any two-day social media conference ever will — King Solomon and the Apostle Paul, two of the first social media experts.

So let’s say you. What commandments doth the Bible teach us about Twitter that we can’t afford to recant?

Seven Twitter Commandments Taught from the Bible

 

1. Thou Shalt Stop Tooting Thy Own Horn

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).

Don’t become a Twitter Me-Monster.

Let someone else sing thy praises and then refrain yourself from straight Re-Tweeting their praise about you. I’ve been guilty of this. But then realized that’s like getting a compliment at a party, standing up on a table, pulling up Rebecca to stand next to you and shouting, “Hey everyone, Rebecca just said my writing is hilarious! Hey everyone!!”

 

2. Thou Shalt RT, Shout-Out, and Promote Others Extravagantly

“A generous man will himself be blessed…” Proverbs 21:9

Don’t just give to get. Yes, reciprocity will happen here. But if you promote others solely so that they’ll promote you, your little compliment-ponzi-scheme will be found out and shut down. You reap what you sow. Plant Tweet-seeds full of life and watch something substantial grow.

 

3. Thou Shalt Be a Loyal Follower

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

As Michael Hyatt, Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers, wrote in Answers to the Top 10 Twitter Objections

“To be successful with Twitter, it can’t be about you. It must be about your followers.”

Michael Hyatt and King Solomon are in agreement. Need I say more?

 

4. Thou Shalt Not Hate on Twitter

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness” (1 John 2:9).

Don’t be the bitter kid on Twitter, making fun of all your classmates — the only two people who will listen to you being Gertrude and Stephen, the foreign exchange students who can’t understand English.

 

5. Also Thou Shalt Not Call Down Locust, Lighting, or Other Plague-Like Elements on Others

“…May fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men” (2 Kings 1:10).

Don’t be the social media fire-fornicator, raining down lighting with every @.

Don’t be the plague that people want to be vaccinated for.

 

6. Thou Shalt be More Wise than Fool

“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).

Listen. Ask intelligent questions. Engage in dialogue. Be a champion for common sense.

 

7. Credibility and Trust is More Important than a Quick Sale

“A good name is more desirable than great riches…”Proverbs 22:1

Don’t sacrifice your followers for the sake of launch week. Promote. Don’t prostitute. Enough said. I will try to hold myself to my own advice come the launch of my book this summer. It will be tough.

How many “commandments” have you broken?

What “commandment” do you identify with most?