There has been a lot of complaining about people spamming the crap out of each other on Twitter with their auto DM’s when you follow them. It seems like every blogger is talking about Twitter nowadays and I am no exception. So here goes another one. Another post about Twitter. This will probably turn into another rant, so I apologize ahead of time.
Just in case you have been living under a rock for the past few months since Twitter has ‘taken off’ and become the haven for people to express what they are feeling or share what they are doing in 140 characters or less. It is a micro blogging open forum for networking, advertising, spamming, ranting, bitching, complaining and sometimes evening learning. That’s right. There may be something positive that you can gain out of using it. Everyone from Obama to his own dog are using it to stay in touch or pass on some info or message to everyone on their list. Which is great, because there is a great amount of diversity involved with Twitter so you get all angles on different subjects.
There have been recent posts about people mass following and unfollowing people to their own benefit, which depending on the side of the fence you are on is good or bad. I won’t get into that. What I will touch on is the fact that Twitter is turning into an enormous opt-in network.
I was inspired to write this post today because when I logged into my Twitter account I was bombarded with DM’s about how to get 20k new followers in 90 days, how to make $5,000 per month just by using Twitter. My personal favorites are the ones about some crazy intense software that they have designed that will turn my 900 followers into 50-100k in just a few days and basically put my Twitter account on autopilot. You are probably thinking, yeah so… that is what networking is for, right? I agree. It is not that there is anything wrong with a little self promotion, hey I am trying to make a buck just like the next guy or gal so who cares. The problem I have is when I get these auto or scripted direct messages from people that make me feel like I am just another name on the list. Which to some I guess that is just what we are.
All I want is a little customization. Do you really want to read my tweets or do you just say that to everyone. I realize it would be a lot of work for some people to keep up with their growing lists but a little personalization will go a long way. I am sure the tools and techniques that will help build my follower list are great. Tell me about them, don’t just send me an auto message with a link and expect me to care enough to check it.
I told you this would turn in to a rant…
Here is the point of this post. If you want to have real success using these social networking tactics, take a little time, get to know your followers and build a relationship. Don’t post 17 tweets in a row within 20 seconds and expect me to read all of them. Be courteous, share useful information, heck feel free to give me the sales pitch but at least make it sound like you care.
After all this is social networking, aren’t we supposed to be social?
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the useful info. It’s so interesting
Hey Jeremy,
Welcome to the new era of spam
First it was snail mail, then phone, then email and IM and now it is social networking. Although Twitter tries to keep up with spammers because its popularity lately it became the new target. I hear you – I get bunch of spammers every day with 1000s of followers and 1 update – how the heck does this happen? However I think the worst ones are the ones that are not so obvious – they build followers slowly but the only thing they do is promote their content; like TV ad that pushes somebody products to you every 5 mins.
It will be constant battle.
Spam is just a lot of noise about nothing.
My rule is not to subscribe to anything that says nothing new.
Money making ideas for girls raising money for our church?
I am so impressed I had to save it so I continously go back and read things I may have skimmed
How can I make money monthly on my investments?
I liked it. So much useful material. I read with great interest.
I read a few topics. I respect your work and added blog to favorites.
Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?