Suspended by Twitter

Lessons Learned from a Twitter Timeout

Yesterday provided an amazing lesson. A ton (yes, probably a ton, if you could weigh them) of legitimate Twitter accounts were suspended. WOW! We’re not talking any accounts here, we are talking big hitters like my friend and social media goddess Mari Smith (Twitter – @marismith), Twitter blogger @AlFerretti, plus – @CoachDeb, @JoelComm, and @Tweetlater.

Twitter says that the account suspensions were due to human error. Here’s what they had to say:

Earlier today, we accidentally suspended a number of accounts.

We regret the human error that led to these mistaken suspensions and we are working to restore the affected accounts—we expect this to be completed in the next several hours.

One additional note: some the accounts suspended were using the third-party site Tweetlater. However, Tweetlater is not to blame for these suspensions nor is it in violation of our Terms.

Read all about it here on Twitters tatus  Blog:

http://status.twitter.com/post/136164828/restoring-accidentally-suspended-accounts

Oops!

Mashable was one of the first to break the story – and a story of intrigue it was.

There seems to be a wave of suspensions going around Twitter today, and it’s turning quickly into an echo chamber of confusion and frustration. We’ve received several tips (the first one being from Mashable guest writer Matt Singley) that a range of users are being taken down, including some with large followings such as @marismith and the LA Times Top of the Ticket account. A quick look at Twitter chatter is another indication that something’s amiss.

Read Mashables article here:

http://mashable.com/2009/07/05/twitter-account-suspensions/

So is there anything to be learned from all this?

1. As with an off-line brick and morter business, disaster can strike. Just like a flood might “liquidate” your business, one push of a button can inadvertently delete your social network account… OUCH! See Number 2
2. Make sure you are connected in multiple places, like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, FriendFeed and your own blog! That way if disaster strikes in one arena – you have connections and friends in the others that can help!
   As Mari puts it herself on her great blog: Why Facebook

   It’s vital to your social media success to be diversified and have a) a built-out Facebook profile (unless you’re choosing to only use your profile for close personal friends/family), b) a built-out Facebook Fan Page,  c) an active blog with increasing subscribers, d) an active account on LinkedIn with increasing contacts e) an active channel on YouTube, f) an active, built-out account on FriendFeed… and many, many more platforms.

3. Stay connected and pay attention to your connections – Don’t simply go after numbers of social media connections, go forth and engage people. This will help both your presence and business grow online.
4. Make sure all of your  networks are intertwined – Very convenient if you have a problem with one – then friends can alert you through another.
5. Take action – At one time or another, I have had my Facebook and Myspace accounts suspended. By being  proactive, meaning I contacted them (vigorously), I got my accounts restored.This from Al Ferretti at TwitterWatchDog.com:

Sadly, tonight Skeeter Hansen and myself (Al Ferretti) became part of the suspended on Twitter. When we logged into twitter we received a message in a redbox that states:

Account Suspended
This account is currently suspended and is being investigated due to strange activity. If we have suspended your account mistakenly, please let us know. See Suspended Accounts for more information.

Meanwhile, if you visited our updates while we were under suspension, you would’ve seen the infamous “Mosey along now”

Ouch Again!

Read more from TwitterWatchDog.com here:

http://twitterwatchdog.com/2009/07/05/mosey-along-now-accounts-suspended-on-twitter/

Read the rest of Mari’s article:

http://whyfacebook.com/2009/07/06/lessons-learned-from-temporary-twitter-account-suspension/