People who use Twitter have specific ideas on the rules that should dictate how the brands that they follow ought to appear on the information service. Information from new surveys tell us that consumers think that brands should present themselves differently than so-called “normal” users.

Make sure that your brand tweets are not “vanity tweets”. Tell Twitter users about your brand’s products or services, and also about the benefits they could receive by making use of what you have to offer. You should not use tweets to promote your articles or press releases. Ask yourself if people who are not as involved with your company as you are would be interested in whatever you are thinking about tweeting.

Make sure to use good grammar in your tweets. Yes, spelling shortcuts abound in these messages, but your goal is to come across as businesslike and an expert in your field. Scant use of emoticons and what is known as “lolspeak” will help your tweets look crisp and professional. Try not to mix any personal messages in with business messages. Be personable, yet businesslike. You should use your company brand as an avatar in order to let folks know at a glance what you are representing.

Auto-tweets are frowned upon, so think twice before setting any of these up. Do not direct message new followers, for many will think of this as spam. Don’t leave your users hanging, waiting to hear from you. If you have started a series of tweets, then make sure you reply to any questions or comments within a few hours’ time. You should not make a practice of over tweeting, either! Aim for a happy medium.

It is a nice gesture to thank those who have tweeted about your brand and its benefits. On the other hand, those who have tweeted complaints should be dealt with cautiously and politely.