This is a guest post by the fabulously fab Steph Auteri – writer and coach and diva extraordinaire. Seriously, one of my favorite online peeps, y’all. Read it and weep.
Just last month, I subjected myself to a video interview over at Generation Meh, despite my paranoia over the way my hair looked, and my inability to settle upon just one normal facial expression. Over the course of the interview, Maureen and I talked about career coaching, consulting, and the freelance writing roadblocks I could help clients move past, but things got really interesting when I was asked about my sex writing, and how my promotion of it on Twitter affected my credibility as a career coach.
I knew the question was coming, but I still struggled with it. Because — honestly? — I don’t know how it will affect my chance at success as a career coach and, sometimes, I worry about it. But I like to think that those who are attracted to what I have to offer are attracted to the whole package… and to what my tendency to overshare represents. By being open and honest and completely authentic, I hope to connect with others on a deeper level and, as a result, help them.
And that’s what I look for in others, too. When I’m spending (far too much) time on Twitter, I’m not interested in accounts that spam me with their own links, or accounts that don’t engage in conversation or share relevant links. I’m not interested in accounts that do nothing but sell, and reveal nothing real about themselves. And I don’t believe that the bulk of those accounts are even truly successful in their business goals.
How to be authentic on Twitter without sacrificing professionalism
1. Be An Open Book. Talk about the activities of your day — especially as they relate to your work — without being salesy about it. Talk about the things that have nothing to do with your work… the things you love… actual life experiences. When appropriate, post photos using Twitpic, or another photo sharing app. People love being able to put a face to a username. If you’re into vibrators, classical singing, hoop dancing, and cats, feel free to be open about that, too. Consider it your personal brand. You should probably refrain, however, from posting photos of your vibrators. Cat photos are allowed.
2. Be Helpful. While it’s okay to use an application that allows you to tweet your blog posts as they publish, you shouldn’t be sharing only your own content. Share other blog posts and magazine articles that are relevant to your brand. Doing so will be seen as a gesture of goodwill by the content creators, and will make you a valuable resource to your followers. Don’t go RTing willy-nilly, though. Only RT those pieces you’ve actually read and enjoyed, as each tweet will be seen as an endorsement by you.
3. Be Social. I don’t like following those who can’t be bothered to @reply to others. After all, Twitter has always seemed — at least to me — a tool for engagement. If you’re not engaging in conversation with your fellow tweeps, how can we even be sure there’s a humanbeing behind that RSS feed? So take care to respond to those who try to start a dialogue with you. @reply others, even if they haven’t @replied you first. Ask questions in your tweets, or even in your RTs, as a means of inspiring discussion and interaction. People respond to people. Not faceless brands.
4. Be Human. With all those experts, gurus, ninjas, and rock stars crowding the Twittersphere (I personally like to think of myself as a pretty pretty princess), tweeps are left hungry for someone who is merely human. You’re not infallible. Don’t pretend to be. Why would anyone seek out help from you if they felt you couldn’t understand or empathize with them? Show your weaknesses. Show your mistakes. Show your self-doubts and show the instances in which you’ve struggled. Then, show how you overcame those things, or are managing them. Your followers will appreciate your honesty, and will feel as if there is something to learn from your experiences.
5. Be Sensible. Of course, there is such a thing as TMI, even when it comes to me. When should you hold back? There’s no one answer to this, as it varies from industry to industry. Some companies and/or industries are more open-minded, or blasé, or comfortable with online transparency, than others. Ask yourself: Would I be comfortable with my employer/colleagues/clients seeing this? Also, try to refrain from being outwardly negative about specific projects or clients. It will come back to bite you in the booty. Either the client will see it and become offended, or others will avoid hiring you because they don’t want to be the victim of your next angry tweet.
Want more of Steph Auteri’s boundless wisdom and cat photos? She just happens to write a blog on the freelance lifestyle, and also offers career coaching to those looking to navigate their way through the publishing industry, or rock it as freelance writers. In fact, you can still enroll in her upcoming e-course, 5 Weeks To Freelance Awesome. She is also a freelance writer and editor.
