#lovetwitter? Guilty as charged. While Twitter can be a fun way to interact with friends, keep tabs on your favorite celebrities, and stay up-to-date with the latest happenings, it is important to remember that social media can make—or break—your IRL reputation.
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Why Twitter?
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Twitter dominates the social media landscape alongside Facebook and ever-growing Tumblr. But what’s the difference? All of these different modes have distinct purposes and uses. No one wants to go on Facebook and see 20 different status updates about what you’ve had for lunch, that cute puppy that may or may not be cuter than Ryan Gosling or #thatawkwardmoment. But that’s the point of Twitter. Don’t want to know what I’m doing or what I think about the Golden Globes? Unfollow me.
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That being said, Twitter is more than just a vehicle for millions of status updates. Many public figures and companies have Twitter pages, and following them is a great way to keep up with the latest news, gossip, and job openings.
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Dos and Don’ts
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Do protect your privacy. Place your Twitter on the private setting so you can control who follows you and sees your tweets.
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Don’t let people you don’t know follow you. While it is perfectly acceptable to follow randoms (celebs, bloggers, #sororitygirls) it’s a good idea to only let people who you know personally follow you. Again, you want to protect your privacy, and get a job upon graduation
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Do watch your mouth! Your mother has probably told you a thousand times, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.” This hold true, if not truer, on the Internet. So keep your language clean, and NO drunk tweeting! Put down your phone after you have had a few drinks and resist tweeting at that cute guy in your psych class.
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Do divide your “followings” into lists. Make a list for friends, sports teams, bloggers and other types of twitter accounts so that it’s easier to absorb all the information that pops up on your Twitter feed.
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How to make the most of your Twitter experience
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Whether you are a sports fanatic, a serious foodie, or a fashionista, Twitter is perfect for keeping up with your interests and passions. Out at dinner and can’t watch the game? Follow your favorite teams on Twitter to get a play-by-play of their games. If you’re a senior looking for a job, follow your desired companies and professional organizations to see job posts or helpful tips on how to break into the industry.
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As we all know, Twitter is an awesome way to gather and share massive amounts of information, interact with all different types of people and stay on top of what’s happening in the world. But remember, it can also be a useful tool for your future if used correctly! #Tweetaway!
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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emory chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.