Twitter Basics: The @Reply

So, I just felt I needed to put out in the world a basic rule that applies to Twitter.

We all know the @reply. We mostly use it when we're replying to someone about something.

PersonA: I just ate a Mango and it was freaking delicious! I could eat it all day!!!

PersonB: @PersonA I love mangoes...but you shouldn't capitalize it because it is not a proper noun unless it's the name of a person.

PersonA: @PersonB Maybe it is. *wink*

Note: When you @reply someone at the very beginning of your tweet, like the above example, the only people who will see it in their twitter live stream (aka timeline) are people who are following both PersonA and PersonB (you and the other person) or if someone searches that specific @reply. (If PersonA or PersonB does not follow the other, they won't even see it in their twitter stream. They will only see it when they check their @replies)

Other times we use the @reply to mention someone so everyone who follows us will see it and it will appear in the @reply feed of the person being mentioned.

PersonB: I'd like everyone to know that I stopped following @PersonA because they are a perv.

PersonA: I'd like everyone to know that I couldn't care less who @PersonB follows on twitter. @PersonB can kiss my ass!

When you tweet something like this, everyone who follows you will see the tweet!

Now sometimes we want to start a tweet by referencing a person, but we want everyone to see it.

PersonB: @PersonA is one of the most despicable people in the world! I HATE THEM WITH A PASSION!

!STOP! According to previous stated twitter rules. The only people who will see this tweet are people who follow both PersonA and PersonB. But what if you want all of your followers to see it, even those not following the other person?

You have to put something in front of that @reply. Try a period or a dash or something. ANYTHING!

PersonA: .@PersonB can suck my big toe because they can't even use an @reply properly. Don't like what I have to say? Tough Titties!

This will ensure that anyone following PersonA will see this tweet about PersonB, regardless if PersonA's followers follow PersonB.

Does that make sense?

To recap:

PersonA: @PersonB I'm sorry...that you were born an idiot!

^Only persons following both PersonA and PersonB will see this tweet.

PersonB: .@PersonA GO TO HELL!

^Any persons following PersonB will see this tweet.

I hope this lesson in Twitter Basics was helpful.

If you have any questions feel free to leave them below and I'll respond as soon as possible.

Thanks!

Remember to please tweet responsibly.