When I am presenting on a social media topic I usually open the session by asking people how many are on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Then I ask "how many people signed up for Twitter but did not know what to do with it?" I often seem to get the same number of hands raised for that question as when I ask who is on Twitter.

Before jumping on Twitter decide if you are looking for it to be a platform to connect socially? for business? or to learn more about your constituents? Next decide who you want to hang out with. That is the greatest thing about Twitter; You do not have to give anyone your attention that you do not want to.

So, picture Twitter as a big giant party. Here are several scenarios:

1. You walk in and you stand in a corner, do not join any conversations and say nothing. That is what people who sign up and have no idea who to follow or what to say are doing.

2. You walk in and you try to listen to every conversation that is going on and you just get lost and confused. That is what people who try to follow everyone are doing.

3. You walk in and all you do is go around handing out business cards and talking about how great you are. That is what people who constantly pitch themselves on twitter are doing...and we all know it is annoying.

4. You walk in dressed as a prophet carrying signs with other people's great quotes on them....yeah you are entertaining for about a minute.

5. You walk around handing out the latest news within your industry. Valuable yes...but it is equivalent to the people walking around with champagne and sushi on a tray; people only want what you are serving. They do not care so much about you because you don't give them a reason to.

6. You walk in, identify the people having conversations that are meaningful to you, and you join in. You hang out with some old friends, make some new friends, and have a great time. That is what the people who get the most value from Twitter are doing.

So, the next time you log onto Twitter, ask yourself, what are you bringing to the party?

@sherryheyl