When I first started on Twitter there were very few people interested in product packaging, now there are over 200 who regularly tweet. I even compiled a list of them which is free @ http://packaginguniversity.com/index.htm#TwitterDirectory

During my time on Twitter I’ve learned quite a few lessons that are important to the packaging community, in fact anyone who tweets so I thought I would share some of them with you.

1. When you first start get a sense of Twitter. I see all these new companies with their first tweet trying to tell peeps what they do or trying to sell them something. The problem with this is two-fold 1^st you don’t have an audience and second no one really cares what you do.
2. Give before you get. One of the ways I developed such a large following is because I provide valuable information. Peeps look to see what I think is important on a daily basis.  Figure out what you can provide that no one else is doing. Don’t become a clone of someone else, become your own persona.
3. The RT (retweet) is better that the ST (selftweet). A RT expands your sphere of influence not only does it go to your followers it goes to the people in the circle of influence you are RTing. The optimum goal is to get a large amount of peeps that believe in what you say and will pass it on.
4. Self tweeting (tooting your own horn) should be limited to once or twice a day. Again no one cares. The optimum solution is to have other peeps RT for you. That’s how you build Twitter influence.
5. Don’t tweet the same tweet from a dozen different Twitter ID’s peeps will see though that and they will stop following you. Plus it’s totally annoying!
6. Learn The Art of the RT. When you RT someone be sure it’s complete information. U might have to shorten the tweet (abbreviations are perfectly acceptable) but you still want to incorporate the original message in the RT and the link.
7. If you are tweeting information or something to read don’t send them to your site and make them click another link to get the information. Peeps try this to build website traction but that’s annoying. In fact I never RT anyone that does that.
8. Be judicious with your tweet equity. If you RT someone regularly and they never RT you back it’s not tweet equity. Move on to someone who will. Your best peeps are those that RT regularly and you want to repay the favor in kind.
9. Engage other peeps in the dialog especially on a topic of interest. You will build a community following that way.  You will find certain recurring themes if you can comment intelligently peeps will listen.
10. Above all be real! I’m funny but also edgy too. Twitter is about relationship building and helping each other out.  If people like what you tweet you will become known as a resource then people will look to you for help when they need it.

Did you know that tens of thousands of people follow me on Twitter,  LinkedIn and my blog?

My packaging columns are syndicated around the globe. Here’s an example.

2010 Packaging Trends impacting what consumers will buy (Part 1) – http://bit.ly/biAzUx

Just a few more ways to interact with my packaging network.
Small Quantity Packaging Directory @ http://packagingdiva.com/#smallpackage
Twitter Packaging People To Follow @
http://packaginguniversity.com/index.htm#TwitterDirectory
Packaging Diva Dream Team @ http://packagingdiva.com/dream_team.htm

Happy Packaging!