Recently, I've gotten new followers who are just starting out on Twitter. After just a couple of months actively using Twitter, I can see things that newbies should know in order to get the most out of this tool. Here's my list of biggest mistakes made by new Twitter users: 

Photo by dpstyles.

1. Protecting your updates. Twitter  is about a conversation with many people, at the same time. If you wanted  a private conversation with only your friends, it's better to use something like Facebook. When you make your updates public, it opens up the possibility that someone like-minded will find you, just from what you are tweeting about.  BTW–I made this mistake. I was on Twitter for months with little or no activity. It wasn't until @iPatti advised me to make my updates public that I started to "become part of the stream" that makes Twitter so enticing and rich. Photo by AMagill.
2. Not following enough people. Another mistake I've made. I advise new Twitter users to follow at least 20 people right off the bat (more is preferable.) Why? Because given 20 people, you will see 20 distinct ways that individuals are using this robust tool. Observe and pick the best of what fits you. See my post, Observations of a New Twitter User, for a few of the many ways Twitter is used. Get enough of a sampling of what's possible. This will trigger ideas on how you want to use Twitter.
3. Not sticking with it long enough.  This relates to the previous item.  Follow 20 people for 10 days. Watch the stream, as it reveals the different dynamics, protocol, and styles of using Twitter. Without a big enough sampling, you are working in, heaven forbid, a Twitter vacuum. (Really is there such a thing? Yes, she says, nodding wisely. Been there.)
4. Intermittent use. Okay, this also relates to the previous two items. If you
   think you can dip your toe in the water and start to "get" Twitter, you'll go years (in Internet time, that is) with just a wet toe and nothing else. Toe-dipping doesn't work. I tried that one already. Go for the full-body immersion (a sort of online baptism, if you will) and you'll be swimming in the Twitter stream in no time. Photo by dboy.
5. Thinking it's a one-to-one conversation. Actually, you don't have to be a newbie to make this mistake. These are the people that have a long list of tweets that begin with "@" and something cryptic that obviously requires some context. In the really old days, this would have been like listening in on a party line (really, I'm not that old, I've just heard about them) and only hearing snippets of one side of the conversation.  You quickly lose interest. Twitter, at its best is inclusive, rather than exclusive.
   
6. No info about you. These are the people without a link in their profile to  provide additional background. There's usually a generic bio like, "Likes people and interested in making money on the Internet." Okay, not that bad but you get the idea. At that point, the only thing I have to discern who you are is your tweets, which likely are written with a big dose of self-consciousness when you are starting out. Think of it this way:  If someone walked up to you on the street with a bag over their head, would you want to talk to them?  'Nuf said. Photo by scragz.
7. Having a consumption mindset. I've seen profiles that show someone following say, 90 people, but very few tweets. You're only getting half the value of Twitter. Sure, I use Twitter as my personalized, virtual newspaper, too. But it's the interaction that makes Twitter fun. And different. And fascinating. Twitter is not just about consuming. It's about conversing and adding value to the stream.
8. Not thinking you have any original thoughts. Usually typified by limited  vocabulary that could be found in a typical teen's texting. (Hey, note that I said typical. There are always exceptions to the rule.) If you don't think you have anything original to say, that's exactly what will happen. Self-fulfilling prophecy.  Give your brain a stretch–be curious and notice your true reaction to things happening around you.  It won't be long before you have something interesting to say. Photo by aloshbennett

All of this is skewed to how I see Twitter at its most useful–as a way to build a community. Anything that inhibits or intervenes in the natural process of growing a community is something I want to be aware of.

For those who have been on Twitter for awhile, what would you add to this list?  What mistakes did you make that you can help others avoid? For those who are new to Twitter, what's still a mystery to you, that you just don't get?  I'm looking forward to your additions.