It's fun to follow to follow others on Twitter.  But, who should you follow?  This article is not about who you should follow, rather it is the Dark Side -- it is about who you should not follow.

PORN

The first category may be obvious but it needs to be brought up to the level of awareness so you are conscious of this when you happily race out to follow others.  You can spot porn two ways:

-the photograph is wildly seductive and professional

-the name selected is seductive

Be on the lookout for such Twitterers.  They are not breaking any Twitter rules, they are simply likely not the kind of client or friend you wish to attract on Twitter.

NO PHOTO

My own personal rule is that I never follow anyone who has not posted a photo.  I want to engage with my Twitter followers.  If someone cannot even bother to post a photo, then they are likely not really involved in the Twitter experience.  If you are following people in the expectation that they will follow you back, then the no-photo crowd is unlikely a fertile ground for you.

RANDOM

You can randomly just click-click-click-click happily along following everyone in sight.  You will quickly grow your list you follow and many will follow you back, but so what?  What value will that be?  They will not likely be people who share any interests with you so it is unlikely they will engage when you tweet them about your area of interest.  And, if you wish to monetize Twitter, it is unlikely they are potential customers.

In summary, I do not follow porn, not those without a photo, nor do I just randomly follow anyone.  This is how I grow my Twitter presence consciously.