Twitter can be a little confusing for a Reality TV star. Viewers watch an edited version of your life, and then have an opinion on EVERYTHING. Twatters watch people who have "the perfect" life, and point out everything that makes them as screwed up as the rest of us. How do you handle a million people dissecting your life publicly? Follow these 10 tips, and you won't have an "I Hate _______" blog named after you.
1. You are not a regular person
You are now a "TV personality." You are edited to fit a niche for our entertainment. Twatters entertain each OTHER by being snarky about what we watch. Don't take it personality. We're trying to gain the adoration from others. It very rarely represents what we think of you as a person.
2. Who to follow
Fans that follow you early are good allies. We're hardcore reality fans who seek you out... sometimes before your show even airs because we don't want to miss anything! We're usually the nosiest, and spend too much time on Twitter, so thank us for your support by following some of us. Personally, I don't talk near as much shit on the celebs that follow me. I feel disloyal. Even if you ARE a complete moron this season? You're A-OK in my book!
3. What to tweet
Viewers follow you because we want to know what's going on BEHIND the scenes. So, involve us!! ALWAYS Live tweet. (Tweeting comments about the show as it airs) If you have someone helping you with your social media accounts, please LIVE tweet yourselves. We can tell. ENGAGEMENT is key. Talk to us! Most of us won't bite.
4. don't retweet every compliment
It makes you look like a showoff. Instead, reach out to us. "Thanks @Courtre, you rock." (DON'T just hit reply!! It's best to use their handle in the body of the Tweet, not as the first word in the Tweet. It makes us all giddy inside when you actually respond, and we'll Tweet a screen shot of your remark, to prove how awesome we are.
5. Have a sense of humor
Most of us don't retweet and favorite pure hate. We RT "mean Tweets" that we think are funny- even if we don't agree. If you notice a tweet, bashing you, and it gets a lot of attention, retweet it yourself!! You can laugh at yourself, and you APPRECIATE the clever wit! An added bonus? The original tweeter will probably watch what they say next time, because you're watching them. (Note: only RT "mean Tweets" about yourself, not cast members, or everyone will call you a bitch)
4. Own what you say
Something didn't come out right? Don't take 3 Tweets to explain yourself. We don't care. If you CAME off like an airhead, we'll call you an airhead. Instead, snark on yourself. "Can you believe I can walk and chew gum at the same time?"
7. never blame editing
The viewers don't want to feel like they're being fooled. You WILL be Frankenclipped: If you comment on your friend who SLAYED IT at a fashion show, and you say "She's a bad bitch!" It will be clipped into a fight with your costar as an insult. Production will make up whatever they want, but if you SAY this, we will lose interest. We want to see reality, not a sitcom. Plus we will all accuse you of bein fake. You just can't win if you blame editing... and if you read your contract, you should know better anyway.
8. ignore hate
The "haters" don't hate YOU. They hate your character. Ignore it. You can't please 100% of the people 100% of the time, so brush it off. DON'T BLOCK!! It gives the haters fuel for the fire. They'll be over-the-top hateful because they know you won't see it. BUT we're a fickle bunch, so your biggest hater this season, may be your biggest fan next season... or even next episode, so don't alienate yourself.
9. engage, don't promote
Promotion is annoying, but probably the reason you signed on. Mask promotion in engagement. "This season's handbags just arrived. I think the red one will be the most popular, but maybe the blue?www.slapmynameonahandbag.com" You just challenged me to figure out which handbag is better, blue or red... and MAYBE if I like it? I'll buy it. But a tweet announcing the new arrival of your handbags won't make me click on it unless I need one. And if I need one? I'mma buy a Fendi from Haute Look, not chance it-- I might get cheap kidskin.
10. don't stalk the hashtag
Never search the hashtag, and respond to people talking about you but have not @mentioned you. It makes you look desperate. D.E.S.P.E.R.A.T.E with nothing better to do then to stalk people's timeline. Tweeters have a right to their own opinion, and it's kind of the POINT to Twitter. If we didn't @mention you, then it was not something we wanted you to see. I shit talk A LOT, to make my followers laugh. NOT to hurt your feelings. I don't even know you. I'm sure you're lovely in person.
In conclusion, you DID sign up for this. Tweeters talking about your show is a plus- good OR bad. If you follow these tips, you'll have your own Twitter Army in no time!