Analysis - by Patrick Thornton on Thursday, February 12, 2009 12:47 - 6 Comments
How not to use Twitter for work
We’re big proponents of using Twitter, but this example below is precisely how not to use it.
Anything you do on Twitter that might endanger your job or career — or make people think you are crazy — is best avoided. National Post technology reporter David George-Cosh uses Twitter for work and recently launched a tirade against a PR person on Twitter over a perceived slight. We think Twitter can be a great business tool, but this is not a good way to use Twitter for work:
sirdavid: @aprildunford what the fuck. I called you for comment two days ago. What did you expect when you called me back? Don’t post that shit online
sirdavid: @aprildunford furthermore, I called you several times in the afternoon. Don’t be condescending to me when I actually wanted to talk to you
sirdavid: @aprildunford how about you stop blasting personal conversations on twitter and call me back. what the hell is wrong with you.
aprildunford: @sirdavid All I did was return your call. I didn’t expect you to do anything. Wow. Like, seriously, calm down.
sirdavid: @aprildunford & then repost everything? & then hang up on me & don’t call back? I’ve recorded everything. U don’t look as nice as u put on
aprildunford: @sirdavid Dude – I never said who you were. Twitter meet David. David is having a bad day. David, meet Twitter.
sirdavid: @aprildunford hey april – fuck you. seriously. fuck you.
sirdavid: @aprildunford if u can’t handle any heat from what u post and immediate hang up, fuck u. u know my number. u call if you want to settle.
aprildunford: @sirdavid Re-read what you have just Twittered. Then re-read what I Twittered. Deep breaths David. Calm.
It appears Gregory-Cosh was having a bad day, and this can understandably lead to meltdowns. The problem is that Twitter is not the best place for these kinds of outburst. Gregory-Cosh may find it difficult to use Twitter for work, and this whole episode is a prime example of how using social media can hurt, not help you..
MediaStyle has more on this misuse of Twitter, including comments from the PR person on the receiving end of this outburst. Just remember, Twitter is public. Don’t say anything on the Internet that you don’t want people finding out about.
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6 Comments
@Roberto,
True, this kind of behavior is not acceptable in a professional environment. But if you do this over the phone or even e-mail, the worst that will happen is that the source or organization may never work with you again. Instead, when you do something like this publicly. you have the ability to ruin your reputation.
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It’s not just a matter of Twitter being one of the worst places to broadcast your outrage. That kind of reaction would be inexcusable anywhere, from anyone. Journalists have the duty to press sources for quotes, yes, but that doesn’t make them immune from conventions of tact and decorum.