A pre-flight checklist before you hit the “Tweet” button.

1. Has correct spelling, grammar, & abbreviations
Common and friendly SMS abbreviations are OK. Look to @MargaretAtwood for best practices.

2. Contains a URL
Tweets should be clickable, leading to an image, video, or page describing more.

3. Uses an active voice
Communication that is direct and frank is the simplest to understand (and remember).

4. Uses a friendly and approachable tone
Don’t be bland! But don’t overdo it.

5. Encourages interaction
Encourage the reader to take action immediately. Click a link, view a picture or video, retweet and share, or answer a question (e.g. “What do you use @Square for?”)

6. References other Twitter accounts (if applicable)
Seek out official accounts to link to with @ syntax. If it forms a greater name, make it fit (e.g. “@Jack Dorsey”, “@VirginAmerica Airlines”).

7. Retweetable
Keep Tweets short so people can Retweet them without editing when retweeting with “RT”.