What Does Your Twitter Bio Really Say?

A quick thought on the importance of your bio on Twitter. 

Some of the information you use isn't necessary and takes away from what you could be using that limited space for. 

Keep in mind this article is directed to mainly law enforcement but does also have application importance for any government representative.

Twitter Tip Tuesday: Your Bio

It’s only 160 characters long but in that space you can say so much or so little. How do you choose to use it?

You can say who you are, what you do, your belief’s, your passions. You can tell the world a little more about about yourself or leave it vague to be discovered in some other way.

Hashtags, urls, emojis, words… They all structure the make up of what and who we want the world to see us as on Twitter. Like it or not they also become your ‘key messages’.

I love reading people’s bios. If I’m just virtually meeting someone for the first time it’s an entry way to learn more about them.

With the bio comes the picture, the location, the website… all the bare bones information for me to make a ‘first impression’ assessment of who they are and what makes them tick.

From there it may be onto their timeline to learn more about what they say, share and how they use Twitter. 

But the first impression is always the bio. One of the key messages that I see in a lot of people’s bios who work in law enforcement, government or in short, public service is a line something to the effect of…

• ReTweets or likes do not equal endorsements. 
• Views are my own.
• The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. 
• This is my personal account.

That may be all well and good to say, but the truth is: 

• Unless your retweet contains a comment that you don’t agree with it, you are endorsing it and your are agreeing with it.
• Your views are not and never will be your own when you are employed by the public purse. You represent something much larger than yourself.
• If your opinions do not reflect those of your employer, you would be best to find another avenue to express yourself since being in conflict with your employer publicly could bring about problems for you… problems that you will most likely be on the losing end of.

Let's not forget,

"This is my personal account?"

• This may very well be your personal account but as soon as you identify yourself as a government employee by picture, words, association or there is anyone in your circle of influence that knows your occupation you are and will be held to a higher standard.

There have been lots of terminations and disciplinary actions commenced over a personal account.

The idea of a catch phrase for protection or to attempt to absolve you or your employer from any liability is nice.. It may very well be in line with a policy or internal legal checkbox. But those few characters could be much better used for telling the world what you do stand for and how great you are and want the world to be.

Have a great day.

Tim