Posted on April 9, 2009
Computers Are Computers. Humans Are Humans.
BY BRANDON WHALEN
Today I found some pretty appalling examples of people misusing automatically generated updates on twitter to over-promote themselves. It inspired me to highlight why auto-tweets are a really bad idea.
First of all, if you are thinking about using Twitter to get your name out there, or tap into this social media stuff, please consider a few things first. People are not going to follow you, or help you achieve any sort of promotional goal, unless you understand how to operate within their realm. They can easily spot fakes and spammers.
If you want to promote something on Twitter, you have to do the ground work. You can start by being a human that knows how to listen, being respectful, and putting others before yourself. Take a look at Qwest's Twitter (@talktoqwest) for a good example.
Out of all of the bad examples I dug up today, one particular account struck me with it's extraordinary misuse. In the nearly two years this account has been up, it has amounted to a whopping 107 followers. They have been kind enough to follow zero of them back. Instead, they thank their followers by pounding them with an outrageous 211,291 tweets.
Here is an example of one of their tweets. I must note that every single one of their 200k+ tweets looks exactly like this (I changed the link to keep the computer Twitterer anonymous):
- www.newestfindings.com update: Zimbabwe parties 'agree timeline' (Mediators say Zimbabwe's rival parties have agreed to share power...)10:05 PM Jan 26th from web
There are a few fundamental things this computer is doing wrong:
1. Every tweet is self-promoting and comes out in the same format.
2. It does not interact or converse with anyone.
3. It is is sending way too many updates for any real Twitter user to ever want to follow.
You are never going to experience any kind of success running your account this way. In fact, it only showcases that you do not belong on Twitter.
Now lets take a look at the way a human uses Twitter:
One of my favorite persons to follow is Mr. Chris Reinhard. Chris' stream comes packed with plenty of humor and down-to-earth friendliness. He responds to people. He communicates with his friends. He shares his thoughts and feelings.
He even took the time to do a favor and let me interview him on his Twitter use:
1. Are you a human or a computer?
I am human. Or am I dancer?
2. Why do you Tweet?
I use Twitter as a news source, a writing and editing aid, and a place where I can make small talk without having to answer any questions about the weather.
3. Do you use Twitter to interact with other humans and physically meet them at some point?
I've only met people from Twitter who came recommended by other friends. Random folk...no thanks, unless it's a job opportunity.
I was able to get Chris to fill out an interview within 3 minutes of sending him a direct message. It demonstrates the kind of connections you can build on Twitter if you just use it in the appropriate way. It can be far more effective than any of the banners or links you see everyday.
I was able to get someone to stop what he was doing, open an email, and fill out an interview by sending him one direct message. The auto-generated account has failed to make a real connection with anyone in two years.
There are no shortcuts, but having a well-run Twitter is valuable and important for any company.
Share this blog post
Victoria, you bring up some great points here. Effective online social networking can require a great deal of time. I agree regarding unrealistic expectations being created around social media... like you said, it is only a tiny fraction of what has to be done.
Obviously, a big part of this discussion depends on the nature of your business and its associated resources. I think it is interesting you have chosen to actually remove yourself from the networks you mentioned.
Although we can't survive without all social media and networking available but it can destroy everything with the same speed. I think people are very keen to tap this resource but they always fail due to their stupidity. Thank for showing both sides.
Social media marketing is only a tiny fraction of what people have to do themselves to market their cause, business or self and for me it takes up way too much time. I prefer to search, post, network selectively and have removed myself from Twitter, Facebook, Zoom, and all the rest due to the time it takes to participate in those forums. People who use social networks to enhance an already human driven campaign fair through business relationships
Social Media is highly over rated for those who do not spend countless hours at a computer digging up information. One must not forget that all of these social networks require so much attention, it further isolates the idea of network marketing, relationship building and people exchange entirely. Social media marketing is only a tiny fraction of what people have to do themselves to market their cause, business or self and for me it takes up way too much time. I prefer to search, post, network selectively and have removed myself from Twitter, Facebook, Zoom, and all the rest due to the time it takes to participate in those forums. People who use social networks to enhance an already human driven campaign fair through business relationships, email, phone, and in person interaction are far better off. I think the media is pushing social networking to the degree that is creating an unrealstic expectation for newbies to the whole thing! JMHO (Just my humble opinion).