1. Being a friend is more important than being important. If you’re on twitter to show how important you are, you’re doing it wrong. Talk to people. Build relationships. Join communities. Show an interest in the people who follow you. This is called “being a real person.”
It’s not enough to show up and expect to be adored. Honestly, if you’re perceived as a snob, you are better off staying away. I refuse to buy books by authors with better-than-thou twitter personas. Lots of authors are good and I choose to give my money and my time to nice people. I have a thing for nice people. And publishers. And book sellers. Nice people rock my world. I want them to succeed.
2. Don’t keep score. RT the things that make your heart sing. #FF when you are moved to do so. Be genuine in the things you promote. When you compliment someone, mean it with your whole heart.
3. Acting in love is never a mistake. Encourage people. Inspire people. Fan the sparks of creativity until they catch fire in others. If you’re asking, “What’s in it for me?” you’re doing twitter wrong.
4. Stories matter. The stories we tell say something important about who we are and what we value. Keep telling your stories even when it seems like no one wants to listen. Believe in the power of your own story.
This is where my advice may seem a little contradictory. Following back is a good thing to do. Talking to people is critical. Being open to new ideas is essential.
BUT: you are not required to continue following anyone who makes you feel even one bit smaller than the amazing person you are. It’s okay to unfollow negative energy. Sometimes it’s mandatory. If someone makes you feel your story is too insignificant or too small, if someone makes you feel like the writing world would be better off without you in it–unfollow that person immediately. Cultivate an atmosphere of love in which to write. Listen to the voices that help you get better. Get rid of the ones that tear you down. Period.
5. Individual voices matter. No voice is so small it has no value. This goes hand in hand with the last rule, but it’s the flip side. No one deserves to be your stepping stone. If you’re pushing someone else under so you can jump across the stream, you’re doing twitter wrong.
6. Diversity matters. Same begets same begets same. Brilliance bubbles up in the Pond of Different. Twitter gives you the opportunity to listen to people who are not just like you. Listen.
7. Positive energy comes back to you. If you want good for others, they will want good for you. Want=energy. Want=prayer. Want=power. Be careful what you want.
8. Happy trumps smart. Write your heart out. Surround yourself with others who support you.
9. Enjoy the presence of other writers. Twitter allows us to peek inside the habits and minds of our writing colleagues. And wow. Seriously. Wow. It’s a carnival in there. There’s no neat little rule book to follow. There’s no one set path. There are bright colors and clowns and dark alleys and balloons and ferries and ferrywomen and goblins and dragons and monsters and one room with boxes of epiphanies and cloaks in various shades of red. If you can imagine it, a writer is working with it. Give yourself permission to absorb this amazing energy and find your own wings. I started #amwriting to get writers talking to each other and the energy there still blows me away.
10. Life is short. Everything we do, we do right now. Hug the kids. Write the novel. Eat with friends. Pour the wine. Twirl. Spin. Laugh. Think. Tweet.
Now is all we have.
So, you know what I’m saying: tweet in the now, but make time for the rest. Especially the spinning. Never underestimate the power of a good spin.
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Friday, March 4th, 2011, 4:45 pm | 
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March 4, 2011 at 4:56 pm
what a wonderful blog post. all very good, clear, and sane advice that I have tried to follow since I began twittering, but always bears repeating.
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 4th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Thanks, Thea! Every so often I start feeling like people need more than just “be nice” for guidance. :)
March 4, 2011 at 10:59 pm
@johannaharness words to Tweet by.
johannaharness Reply:
March 5th, 2011 at 2:01 am
@jottergirl Thank you!
March 4, 2011 at 11:00 pm
What a great blog post! RT @johannaharness My twitter rules for authors: http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… #amwriting
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Thanks, Misa! It’s always good to see you here. :)
March 4, 2011 at 5:05 pm
So interesting Johanna and just as I’m trying to figure it all out. People unfollow me everyday and of course I feel a pang, but then I gain a few which always makes up for it. I read the other day “is Twitter for narcissists?” or something to that effect and I have since been wondering if that is how I’m handling it, but I don’t want to give up as I really, really enjoy Twitter and feel like it’s a classroom of sorts. See? I’m learning something right now! ; )
I’m also a fellow YAYOM…I seem to be more of a bystander, but I am enjoying and truly gaining so much from observing, etc.
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 4th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
It’s so good to see you here, Suzanne! One of the things I love about twitter is the mentoring feel of it. By following someone throughout their days, it’s easier to understand what they do.
I know it takes a while to quit watching followers and unfollowers, but you already have a good sense of things. Focus on balance and the rest falls into place.
And speaking of YAYOM–I used a self-portrait for this blog entry! I’m getting so brave. :)
FourDaysAWeek Reply:
March 4th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Don’t give up Suzanne. I felt the same way. I was a little bit lost on how it all worked when I first joined the Twitterverse. Eventually I figured it out through trial and error. I remember when I only had 6 followers. I kept tweeting and following. Almost a year later I can truly say I have made some wonderful friends in the Twitterverse. I never expected to meet and connect with so many great people by way of the 140-character tweet. Had it not been for a few of my followers asking me share snippets of my work in progress (a historical fiction) at my blog, I would’ve never had the courage to post them.
Johanna, thank you for this post, which I discovered via a tweet from one of my Twitter followers @lisajanicecohen. Thank you for creating the #amwriting tag, which I love.
-Mia
-Mia
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Yes! What I find amazing is that I feel I know people better by following them a bit every day–rather than reading one big post once in a while. The pattern of people’s lives say so much about them.
March 4, 2011 at 11:13 pm
Well said :) RT @johannaharness My twitter rules for authors: http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… #amwriting
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Thank you, Anne!
March 4, 2011 at 11:17 pm
@johannaharness great rules – basically, be friendly and genuine! I would only add, don’t post personal details that are too personal!
johannaharness Reply:
March 5th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@mrsmica Yes. Too often people lose track of the fact that twitter is a public forum.
March 4, 2011 at 11:40 pm
@johannaharness Great post!
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Thanks so much, Anne!
March 4, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Excellent post! I agree wholeheartedly. :)
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 4th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Thanks, Linda!
March 5, 2011 at 12:46 am
@johannaharness My twitter rules for authors http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… #amwriting >> rules for authors? How ’bout anyone – twitter from the heart
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 10:29 am
Yes. Exactly. If we lead with our heart, we may be hurt sometimes, but life will be so much more fulfilling.
March 4, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Great rules! You rule!
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Thank you, Tara!
March 5, 2011 at 2:02 am
Thanks, Misa! RT @misabuckley: What a great blog post! RT @johannaharness My twitter rules for authors: http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0…
March 4, 2011 at 8:03 pm
There is so much to gain from Twitter and tweeting. Great rules put together and thanks for making it known that every individual counts.
March 4, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Well said. Very well said.
March 5, 2011 at 2:24 am
@johannaharness just read your twitter rules for authors. Being kinda new to this, it was a big help. L-O-V-E-D it. really. Thanks!
March 4, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Your rules are not only for Twitter, but I would apply them to everyday life. Thanks so much.
March 5, 2011 at 3:43 am
@johannaharness I think you said it all–and not just for Twitter–with “Be nice.”
johannaharness Reply:
March 5th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@angelaparson Thanks, Angela! Based on response, I’d say nice is making a comeback. :D
March 5, 2011 at 4:19 am
@johannaharness You are most welcome – perfect post, all true. ;-)
March 4, 2011 at 10:49 pm
I can’t say this loudly enough: Here here! I tried to say something similar in my latest blog post, but I bow to your version. *bows* It’s all about the nice. :)
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 13th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Yes! It’s all about the nice. :)
March 5, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Check this out! AWESOME! http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… by @johannaharness @vinamist I especially like the part about taking time for a good spin.
March 5, 2011 at 6:25 am
Great post, Johanna!! This list of yours goes well beyond Twitter rules. I mean, these are some cool life guidelines!!
March 5, 2011 at 6:35 am
I like these rules, I think, in general they count for everything in life, though the terminology might be a bit different!
March 5, 2011 at 6:41 am
Johanna–this made me smile this morning. I try to live my life this way–but sometimes it’s hard to navigate the twitter thing. Who to follow, what to RT, the whole #FF and #WW–but it really comes down to common sense, doesn’t it? Thanks for the reminder. Great post!
March 5, 2011 at 6:47 am
What a great post. Very thought provoking :-)
March 5, 2011 at 6:54 am
this is wonderful advice for all humans (not just authors, and not just on twitter) Love it!
March 5, 2011 at 7:35 am
Good morning Johanna, I really love your twitter rules for authors. Thanks for sharing them and also for setting such a supportive, welcoming tone for #amwriting.
March 5, 2011 at 8:02 am
I love this post, Johanna. Twitter is the best virtual classroom — an information junkie’s dream come true. Hardest thing for me, and I still struggle some, has been learning to manage the online with off-line. I’ve got a lot to learn. Trial and error. Also, being mindful that 140 characters can come across completely different than intended. I’ve been blessed with meeting some of the kindest, most supportive people, many who’ve turned into off-Twitter friends. If only Twitter weren’t so darn addictive! Thank you for writing this. The Golden Rule applies on Twitter, too. : )
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 13th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Yes. So much is trial and error. We all keep learning and growing. So happy to see you here, Ezzy. Thank you.
March 5, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@johannaharness that was some good advice. Appreciate it!#amwriting
johannaharness Reply:
March 6th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@lillanyman It’s so good to hear from you! Thank you. :D
March 5, 2011 at 8:38 am
I love this post. It sounds just like you…authentic, vibrant & compassion filled. You know what else I love? That you follow a gadzook’s number of folks. Usually folks with 20k in followers have a handful. That’s what makes sense for them. For you? Just a bigger community. :)
March 5, 2011 at 9:43 am
Great rules.
I have one more. I think I hurt someone on twitter and yet as sorry as I am that she is no longer following me as a result–it was the right thing to do for me.
She re-tweeted these wonderful (and numerous) events that were happening in NYC. I would love to go to them, but I live in the heartland and the shear number was making a quick phone scan of tweets agonizingly long.
I decided to shut down viewing her re-treets. I’m sorry, but we don’t all have the luxury of running down to the west or east side to see or hear someone. Since I would SO MUCH love to go to them, they tended to depress me. I love where I live, but there are things that happen in larger cities that I would enjoy.
Anyway, one more possible rule for people who RT.
March 5, 2011 at 10:41 am
As ever, you show speaking from the heart in plain and simple terms touches people so well. You nailed it, not just for authors, but for anyone using Twitter. It really does boil down to “Be Nice.” Well done and thank you.
Take care,
Jess
March 5, 2011 at 2:25 pm
I can’t say why, but this lovely post brought tears to my eyes. I’ve nothing else to add except thank you.
March 5, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Thanks for this, I am new-ish to Twitter and a debut author and I found this heartening and helpful. I’ll bookmark it for future inspiration!
~Cathleen
March 5, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Wow!! Very well said.
March 6, 2011 at 12:26 am
@johannaharness Number 8 is the best, not just for writers, but for life. “Happy trumps smart”. Thanks!
March 6, 2011 at 12:27 am
Wonderful! I adore number 8 but they are all excellent. RT @johannaharness My twitter rules for authors: http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… #amwriting”
March 6, 2011 at 12:33 am
@johannaharness Just read your Twitter rules. How do you balance being friendly/encouraging with being honest?
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 5th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Honesty about writing always begins with an acknowledgment of the writer’s importance. Anything else is false. Love includes helping each other get better, but it all begins by believing in the writer and the vision. Those conditions help us improve rather than giving up.
Mari Juniper Reply:
March 5th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Hey Valerie. I was going to give a general reply, but I saw you comment and I decided to chip in with my thoughts (if you don’t mind).
You have a good question there, and it’s an important one. I believe being nice without being honest sounds fake, and when I find false nice I stay away from it. I don’t necessarily unfollow, but don’t stimulate close contact either.
Of course there’s a price for being honest. Many people don’t like when you give a less favorable opinion about their work, but we all parrot that a writer must grow a tough skin, right? Who better to give constructive criticism (gently) than your friends? I’m sure open to that!
Johanna, I think we’ve been reading the same books. I do my best to live in the now too, and all I’ve been collecting with my twitter friends is love. Amazing post. I follow it everyday, and I can’t complain about the results. Very nice of you to share it so everyone can have what you’ve built with #amwriting. :D
valerievaldes Reply:
March 6th, 2011 at 1:26 am
@johannaharness I’m not sure what you mean? Is it egotistical to judge other people’s writing? Or should I treat every writer as important?
johannaharness Reply:
March 6th, 2011 at 1:34 am
.@valerievaldes The writing can’t get better if the writer is destroyed. If you nurture the writer, help as needed, the writing improves.
valerievaldes Reply:
March 6th, 2011 at 1:38 am
@johannaharness Okay, so honesty delivered as nicely as possible is the best policy?
johannaharness Reply:
March 7th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
@valerievaldes That’s probably the most succinct way to say it. Yes. Being nice and being honest are not mutually exclusive.
johannaharness Reply:
March 6th, 2011 at 1:37 am
.@valerievaldes And if we help someone else in that spirit, they help us the same. We both improve.
March 6, 2011 at 1:04 am
As usual @johannaharness nails it: “It’s a carnival in there.” http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… Twitter Rules for Authors
March 5, 2011 at 9:07 pm
What a great voice you have. You exude love. I would read anything you write.
Judy aka@newsjunkieoc
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 10:36 am
Oh thank you, Judy! So nice of you!
March 5, 2011 at 11:49 pm
AWESOME post!! :D
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 10:36 am
Thank you, Lisa!
March 5, 2011 at 11:52 pm
That is a HUGE tweetdeck on the computer. XD =)
Great post! =)
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 12th, 2011 at 10:39 am
lol. Yeah, I just moved to a bigger monitor and my mind is freaked out by all the little boxes. (That was actually HootSuite in the picture, but I’ve since moved to Tweetdeck and the point is the same. BIG.)
March 6, 2011 at 6:30 am
@johannaharness Really enjoyed your twitter rules. But many writers won’t share their opinions; prospective buyers might be turned off.Do u?
johannaharness Reply:
March 7th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@bookmd Hiding yourself to sell books feels like a bad strategy, but I’m all for self-censoring if it means not being a jerk. Balance, yeah?
March 6, 2011 at 6:39 am
RT @johannaharness: Thank you! RT @vlsimplicity: I LOVE this!!! RT @johannaharness My twitter rules for authors: http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… #a …
March 6, 2011 at 8:13 am
@johannaharness twitter rules for authors: http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0…
Positive energy comes back to you :)
March 6, 2011 at 5:57 am
Excellent post! I’ve made so many friends on Twitter, it’s a terrific community.
March 6, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Thank you! RT @susanjsteward: Writers on Twitter–this post by @johannaharness is a must-read. http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… #amwriting
March 6, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Wow. Thank you so much. RT @supremetronic: Joyful, loving, wise: RT twitter rules for authors http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… #amwriting
authorpatricia Reply:
March 6th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@johannaharness You twitter rules are right on. http://johannaharness.com/blog/2011/03/0… Now is all we have indeed! Write on! #amwriting
March 6, 2011 at 7:19 am
Johanna this is a WONDERFUL post ;) It just confirms what I already knew, you are indeed one of the sweetest, nicest people I’ve met in the virtual world. Thanks for inspiring me to be nice :D
March 6, 2011 at 7:21 am
Great post. The most important rule is the first- to make friends, BE a friend. And don’t take anything personally. Twitter is the most casual, least commitment-intensive of the social media tools I’ve used and people shouldn’t take it personally if someone unfollows! Also, try to reply to people who reply to your tweets, as much as possible; your followers and fans don’t want to be left in a vacuum or feel like you’re not interested in what they have to say.
March 6, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@johannaharness I feel like going in the backyard and spinning right now. Great blog post.
johannaharness Reply:
March 7th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@susieonthescene Yay! Thank you. :)
March 6, 2011 at 7:44 am
Phenomenal post! Well done!
Johanna Harness Reply:
March 9th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Thank you, Jill!