It’s the last day of my pre-BlogWorld Self-Talk on how to get the most out of my networking opportunities.

twitter networking

NOTE TO SELF: Ask yourself these questions before tweeting. Would I say it in person to the person standing next to me?  Would I have to whisper it for fear of it being overheard? Would I have to be drunk to say it? Would I have to be crazy irate to say it? Would I have to be a mean, hurtful jerk to say it?

More questions to ask myself, whether talking online or in person:  Am I bragging? Am I hogging the conversation? Am I asking questions as well as answering them?  Am I sensitive to interest level and appropriateness of what I am saying?  Am I listening as well as being listened to?  Am I having a conversation or giving a monologue?

I like twitter but it sure can be noisy, rude and dumb if you let it.  Not much different than if you are at a cocktail party or other social gathering. You can have mindless chit chat, deep conversations about ideas, drunken rants about all sorts of conspiracies or just pleasant pleasantries with pleasant people.  I should remember to practice being the person I want to be, no matter if what I am saying is for the birds or some other animal.



Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily

Quote by Chris Pirillo, blogger.