When it comes to Twitter, we all have our pet peeves.
In the spirit of introspection, I’ve compiled a fun little list of the different types of tweeter that you might be. These are completely arbitrary and probably offensive.
Enjoy.
Enrager Types
The One Way Broadcaster
You are constantly sending out messages but never interacting with your followers. Your typical Twitter stream has a glaring lack of @ symbols. Celebrities, musicians, and other high profile accounts are great at this.
The Over-Sharer
You like to talk about your feelings… a lot. That or your puppy just did something really cute, today’s breakfast was particularly noteworthy, or you just had an interesting trip to the bathroom and we all really need to know about it. Your typical Twitter stream consists of things I would probably never say out loud.
The Private Conversation in Public Guy (Gal)
It often takes two to tango in this scenario. This tweeter (or tweeters) can never really seem to draw the line between a solid @ chat and a private heart-to-heart. The latter belongs in DMs or email. Your Twitter stream is probably chock full of @ symbols flying back and forth to the same person.
The Echoed Complimenter
Somebody said something nice about you. Now its time to tell everyone of your followers that something nice was said about you. In this scenario, you attach a ‘// Thanks!’ to preserve some outward appearance of humility. It’s ok. I’ve been guilty of this too.
The Auto-DM’er
You’re very excited to have connected with me. You’re also very excited to tell me about your blog… or your Facebook account, or your network marketing scheme, and so on. Save the automated sales pitch and try to authentically connect with your new followers.
The Disrespector of the 140
You’ve got a story to tell but you haven’t made the jump to WordPress or Tumblr. The result? 6 ‘…’ tweets in a row that result in me having to read a narrative left to right, bottom to top. Your Twitter stream is confusing.
The Head Exploder
You’re knocking out 40-50 tweets a day and my home feed is literally crying. This is a tough one to counteract because as your following and follower counts go up, you tend to try and keep up with the noise. I lean towards this one sometimes. Sorry.
Engager Types
The Benevolent Teacher
You love to teach. You write beneficial blog posts and share them with the rest of us. You also go out and find extremely useful information to tell us about. I don’t need to go out and search for good stuff because you’ve got me covered. Laura Click, I’m looking at you.
The Wise Counselor
You examine your stream for folks in need and are quick to chime in with your expert advice. John Ellis was a wise counselor for me today when I was having some trouble navigating the sea of nonsense that is SEO. You’re like the superhero of Twitter.
The Witty Conversationalist
You’ve always got a fun reply to the folks in your stream. You manage to be warm and engaging without overloading us with @ replies. Courtenay Rogers is fantastic at this.
The Generous Re-Tweeter
You love to get the word out. When you see a friend in need or an acquaintance with a message to spread, you hop right on that RT button. People love to connect with you because you’re not too wrapped up in your own communicating to give someone else a shout out. Joey Strawn for the win.
The Shrewd Promoter
You know who the quality people are on Twitter. You’re not afraid to give them a shout out and promote their stuff. You take the concept of Follow Friday to a whole new level and actually put some thought into the people you recommend for me to follow. Grant Jenkins does a head exploding job of this… 
The Comedian
You’re hilarious. Your tweets make me laugh. Jon Acuff is pretty good at inspiring a solid chuckle.
The People Builder
You’re constantly encouraging folks in an authentic, non-cheesy way. Whether its quotes, scripture, or private messages, you’re a ray of sunshine. It’s really easy to overdo this, but you’ve found that perfect balance between making people feel good and giving them diabetes. Toni Birdsong and Tami Heim are great examples.
So which one are you?
Technorati Mumbo-Jumbo: Q5F9YXC4VDHT
I probably lean to head exploder. And I’m sorry for that too.
I never thought of you as an over-tweeter, Michael. But then again, I’m probably one too, so we can blow up people’s streams together…
I’m in man. Something I did stop doing was thanking for all the RT’s. It got to be too many. I know I’ve lost some because people are hoping to get mentioned, but I’m cool with that.
So let’s continue to blow up people’s streams…
Love this post, dude. I definitely try to fall more in the “engager” (#OneWord2011 shout-out! HOLLA!) category than “enrager”. That’s not to say that I don’t hop the fence and dabble in enraging every now and then.
Ha! I knew you were gonna drop the #Engage bomb. The engage/enrage threshold is going to be different for everyone. Keep a healthy a mix and you’re good to go.
I am some of all of these people. Which means I twitter a lot and have multiple personalities
Yea I’ve worn each of these hats on more than one occasion as well. I just have to hope that my followers are feeling graceful on the more ‘enraging’ days. Tell each of your multiple personalities that I said hello!
I kid you not… Right after I read your insightfully funny post.. This was in my stream from @twoofakind -
“oh gross!!!! Who wants to come change this diaper?” — definately an over-sharer.. I fall into alot of those categories, but hopefully not that one… Oh no, I just did
It’s ok, Nicole, we forgive you.
Thanks for reading!
I’m sad because I’ve tried staying cautious of the twitter-vortex so I set boundaries that are considered “enrager.” Booooo! But I’m going to be inentional in engaging more
Ha! I’m sure you’re fine. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re using it in a way that makes sense for you. If that engages some folks, then great! If it enrages some folks, then let them be enraged. It’s all about a healthy mix.
Brilliant post and I’m honored to be included. I also thought about NOT sharing this one just to be snarky, but then realized it was too good not to share.
Kenny Silva, for the win!
Haha thanks for sharing, Joey! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Not on twitter, but i would guess mine would be more of the “comedian” variety.
Get on Twitter and let’s see!
love the way you did this, kenny! so creative and so… true.
i’m a little concerned right now that i may be an over-sharer and a head-exploder (if the 50 tweets include @replies)…. eeeeeeek.
i want to be more of the people-builder type…
If I were you, I wouldn’t change a thing! As far a the people builder thing goes, I’ve heard of and seen countless people connect with your story and grow in some amazing ways. You’re an incredible people builder. Be the exception to the rule. Don’t change!
you put a huge smile on your face. thanks for the encouragement, kenny.
You showed that you’re an engager by virtue of the examples you provided under the “engager” category. And you’ve given me some great new people to follow as well! Great post.