Twitter Etiquette from the Church of @HelloMocha

I'd like to call myself a good Twitterer. Even though there is always room for improvement...I know I am engaging, thankful, informative, silly, and I try my best to respond to anyone who @'s me. However...there are days when rude Tweeps get on my nerves, or someone I know personally Tweets something prejudiced, callous, or selfish that makes me want to call them on the phone to tell them to go f*ck themselves.

But that isn't always cool. But what is cool is how Twitter has allowed us to have conversations with people from all walks of life. Some Celebs, some potential new clients, virtual BFFs, and even people you end up forming real friendships or romantic relationships with. You can also Stalk someone via Twitter. Yes...but the key is to do it without being noticed. Ha ha! I've had Twitter Crushes and have fallen for "Thirst Traps" via Direct Message. But it's all in fun...and it's challenging and a great way to help improve communications in real-life and in the digital world.

I love Twitter and want you to love it too...Even on bad days when a person who doesn't even follow me Tweets me their Music...I try my best to be polite so that they know that learning their audience is essential in getting the response they want from Twitter and its occupants.

Know who and what you're dealing with. Overly aggressive behavior can be just as annoying as Passive Aggressive. So I came up with these 35 Twitter rules that may help you along the way to Twitter Greatness! I don't feel like I've achieved that status yet but I believe that who I follow is a reflection of what kind of Tweep I want to be. I've watched some of the best Twitterers handle situations I know in real life would have had different outcomes. I've also gotten some great advice, useful tips, wonderful opportunities, great links, and comic relief because of who I follow and what we all do for each other.

With that being said...I had to learn, so I want you to learn too!

So check it...tell your Tweeps to get with my Tweeps...and we can be Tweeps. We can do this every weekend. Aight? Is that aight with you? Yeah... keep Tweetin'  *Diddy Voice*

Twitter Etiquette...from My Tweets to your Timeline:

1. Tweet. Say hi. Let your presence be known but don't be overly aggressive. "Hello Tweeps" actually works!
2. Engage. Socialize.Twitter is about conversation though you can use it to vent...still try to use the @ to get Tweeps involved.
3. Retweet! Now this one is tricky because Retweeting is like a Cosign...so be careful and selective but do it a lot.
4. Don’t Retweet people who Retweet you unless you’re adding a comment to the Retweet! For ex: (@HelloMocha #WhatSheSaid RT: @mamachell And are THE best! RT:@HelloMocha #ScorpiosUnite)
5. Look at photos. Retweet photos. Leave comments. Let your followers know you're paying attention. Tweeps like to feel loved. 
6. Promote other Blogs and accomplishments of those you follow. They'll do the same for you.
7. Don't be a robot. Loosen up! But don't feel obligated to engage or Follow someone back if you feel disrespected or turned off.
8. Be honest! Don't lie about your whereabouts & use Google images to back up your story. Tweeps hate liars...especially CAUGHT ones
9. Don’t just follow people! Engage. There's nothing worse than a church-mouse-Twitterer! If you see something, Tweet Something!
10. Laugh along! Laugh out loud! Laugh at yourself. Have a sense of humor.
11. If you jump in the middle of a Twitter conversation, check the previous Tweets before you say something wack & presumptuous.
12. If you are a Newbie...Follow, Follow, Follow! Search key words of what interests you and Follow those types of Tweeps who talk about what you like and do what you like to do.
13. If you have their email, Facebook, and cell number...there is NO need to @ someone the same sh*t you sent them via email, Facebook or Text!
14. Tread lightly! If you see someone isn't giving you the attention or responses you want, keep it moving. YOU may be the problem or they may be having a bad day.
15. Never underestimate the power Twitter has! Deleted Tweets can be found. So Tweet without having to regret later.
16. Don't Tweet in 3rd person. You'll look like a crazy obnoxious person and will quickly turn off potential Followers.
17. Don’t follow someone expecting them to follow you back. Follow because you’re interested in what they have to Tweet.
18. Stop YELLING! Why are you so loud? Why use ALL CAPS to get a message across? Those Tweets get ignored THE most and are Retweeted the least. #Fact
19. Keep #TheThirst level down. We can see you! Take it to Direct Message or off-line. And if #TheThirst is not reciprocated, move the hell on.
20. Don’t be a STALKER. Once you are dismissed...log off and have a seat! You do NOT want to be ethered via Twitter or have your private messages exposed. They will be Retweeted and you will be ridiculed.
21. Don't beg Tweeps to read your blog or Retweet you. Tweet your content freely. Retweet yourself! Ask nicely, but don't beg.
22. Offer a service. Give advice. Post interesting articles, Coupon links and Event info. Contribute colorful commentary. Keep Tweeps wanting to come to your Timeline!
23. Please don't go off on someone for Unfollwing you. It's not becoming of a lady or gentlemen. Take the "L" and move on.
24. Understand that Twitter is some people's escape. So if a #RealLifeFriend Unfollows or refuses to engage you...Follow new Tweeps.
25. Please don't link your Tweets to your Facebook unless you don't Tweet a lot. Hasn't Facebook put us thru enough already? Don't do it!
26. Check your Timeline or GOOGLE before asking a question about something big that happened in the news. #DoItForJesus
27. Don't be afraid to share your wisdom and life experiences. Be personal yet private.
28. Check your location in your Bio! If it says "At your man's house" or "up in your girl's guts", who's gonna Follow you, Boo?
29. If you get into a Twitter Beef and are obviously losing...just bow out graciously. For real.
30. Don't Tweet vague Tweets about a private conversation you're having off-Twitter with #OOMF. Tell us about it or #STFU
31. If you have nothing to say, don't say anything. Keep scrolling! No LOLs needed either. Nothing more annoying than someone who Tweets a stupid response just so they can say something. Go ride a bike.
32. Stay away from Tweeps who ALWAYS have something negative to Tweet. Occasional Shade is allowed, (especially during times when Black-Twitter is watching Reality TV or an Awards show.) But constant negativity is frowned upon. 
33. Don't Follow someone JUST because they follow who you date or who you're sleeping with. No Ma'am! No Sir! You will get your feelings hurt. Follow and Tweet with no hidden agendas!
34. If you must bring drama to your Timeline, you will get Drama in return. So if you offend someone, don't get mad if they clap back. Tweet ignorantly and over aggressively with precaution. 
35.  If you are asked to not Tweet someone again, don't. Cyber-bullying is real and several Police Departments have Internet Crime divisions. #FallBack

 Now go and Tweet something...and be sure to Follow @HelloMocha

#TheEnd

Random Act of Kindness and Yummy Awesomeness!

Soooooooooo…I just came back from getting some Pizza. (I know, I know!) I’m supposed to be on a quest to lose 7 pounds, but after having one of THE best plates of Spaghetti last night…I went back to the spot to try a slice or 2 of some good ole fashioned Pizza. I just wanted to see if they were consistent. *Wink*

While I’m waiting outside, reading my copy of the New Times, a homeless man walks up to me. I hate that! Not just because he’s a homeless man but I hate being ambushed. I also hate the idea of Homelessness and anyone who knows me personally KNOWS that I’m a sucker and will give up a dollar or 2 with the quickness.

Somewhere in the Bible…(Not sure where or how it’s worded) it talks about how we shouldn’t let people go hungry. I’m not ballin’. I closed my Savings account. And my clients owe me so much money that I have to always make payment arrangements with my cell phone company…but I digress. I won’t let someone in front of me be hungry.

So back to the dude...Homeless. Stinky. Smokers teeth. Hunched over. Asked me for a nickel. So I asked him what the fuck he was going to do with a nickel?! He said, “it adds up. Most people don’t want to give me paper money. They give me change and by the end of the night I usually can get a slice and something to drink.”

Okay here come the tears! Fact about me: I’m tolerant of NOTHING and sensitive to EVERYTHING. So I gave him a nickel and told him not to move. I went inside to get my food and a bottle of water and said FUCK IT!

I grabbed buku napkins and a tray then went back outside with the 2 slices of fresh-out-the-oven Pizza…NO TOPPINGS of course. I keeps it simple.

I gave it all to him. No questions. Didn’t even get his name. He looked old enough to be someone’s father…my father. I’d want someone to do that for him if he were alive and in this kind of trouble. He thanked me. Wanted to hug me but I just wanted him to eat. He already had half a slice in his mouth before I stepped off the curb.

But then this happened…some random dude runs up and grabs me by the arm. Whoah! I guess since I put my earphones back on that quickly…I couldn’t hear him calling me.

This guy…he was watching me interact with the homeless dude. That would usually creep me out but keep reading!

He saw me and said he was moved. Okay? Then he gave me $20.00 and walked away. Huh? I walked behind him and grabbed his arm. I told him that it was okay. He told me he really wanted me to have it and hopes that I go ahead and buy myself my own slices. He wished me a good evening and kept it moving.

WOW!

I went back and got 2 slices. Homeless dude was GONE! But I sat outside and ate with a huge smile on my face. Yup! That was awesome.

Yummy awesomeness!

K.I.S.S.I.N.G

Do you know the effects of Kissing?

Anonymous

1. Long kisses are beneficial to our circulatory system. When kissing, our pulse rate is quickening up to 110 beats per minute. This is great training for our cardiovascular system.
2. After kissing, the lungs work harder, resulting in 60 inhales per minute compared to regular 20 inhales. Such “ventilation” is a good preventive measure against lung disease.
3. Some dentists believe that kissing is a preventive measure against dental caries. Indeed, kissing stimulates the flow of saliva that eliminates acid coat on the teeth.
4. Kisses that last more than three minutes help us fight stress and its effects. Long kisses trigger the chain of biochemical reactions, which destroys stress hormones.
5. Those who kiss their partner goodbye each morning live five years longer than those who don’t.
6. Kissing is great for self-esteem. It makes you feel appreciated and helps your state of mind.
7. Kissing burns calories, 2-3 calories a minute and can double your metabolic rate. Research claims that three passionate kisses a day (at least lasting 20 seconds each) will cause you to lose an entire extra pound.
8. Kissing is a known stress-reliever. Passionate kissing relieves tension, reduces negative energy and produces a sense of well being, lowering your cortisol ‘stress’ hormone.
9. Kissing uses 30 facial muscles and it helps keep the facial muscles tight, preventing baggy cheeks! The tension in the muscles caused by a passionate kiss helps smooth the skin and increases the circulation.
10. Kissing is good for the heart, as it creates an adrenaline which causes your heart to pump more blood around your body. Frequent kissing has scientifically been proven to stabilize cardiovascular activity, decrease blood pressure and cholesterol.
11. Those who kiss quite frequently are less likely to suffer from stomach, bladder and blood infections.
12. During a kiss, natural antibiotics are secreted in the saliva. Also, the saliva contains a type of anesthetic that helps relieve pain.
13. Kissing reduces anxiety and stops the ‘noise’ in your mind. It increases the levels of oxytocin, an extremely calming hormone that produces a feeling of peace. 

Now go pucker up! Muah!

Get Booked!

Models, Actors, Hosts, Dancers...what are you doing differently this year from last year to be the best you can be?
 
Are you prepared more? Will you be on time?
 
Are you getting new head shots to reflect changes in your appearance? Are you trying new looks? Have you met any new photographers?
 
Have you decided to maybe switch it up a little? Improv, Drama, maybe a few new monologue options?
 
Models...will you practice new poses? New facial expressions? Have you learned the art of "Smiling with your eyes"?
 
Dancers...do you take risks? Have you tried to learn different techniques? Why not take a non-traditional class to give you more range?
 
It's a new year but the game is the same. Competition is still stiff but auditions happen everyday. For each job you don't get, there's an opportunity for you to do some fine tuning so you can get it right the next time! And if you still don't get that role, that spot, that campaign, that gig...do NOT give up!
 
Get out of bed, dust your shoulders off, don't forget about yesterday's disappointments...learn from them! Look in the mirror and say out loud what you're going to do and how you will do it.
 
Get up. Get focused. Be prepared. Be strong. Be on time. Be optimistic. Get Booked!
 
Happy New Year!