Tweet YOU Edmonton not TweepMe!
Twitter is one of the coolest ways to build rapport within the social web, for me it’s about meeting “you.” So why must some be complete and utter idiots and abuse that privilege? Some of the ways Twitter and social media is used in general frankly disgusts me. Spammers in this case, I’m talking about you.
A few days ago I posed a question on Twitter regarding a new application called TweepMe, now widely known as a spammer haven. The answers I was looking for in response to the question focused on the “motivation” behind using TweepMe, and Twitter usage in general. From that I was hoping to draw conclusions as to how that reflected on us as users. The tweeted question is below.
What are your thoughts on “buying” followers? http://www.tweepme.com/
Here’s how the TweepMe site describes its service.
TweepMe is the fastest way to accumulate followers on Twitter. When a new member joins, every other member automatically follows the new member, and the new member follows them back. The process is gradual and happens over the course of weeks or months depending on the number of TweepMe members.
Personally, I’ve always struggled with the concept of “auto-follows and auto-direct-messaging.” Despite being efficient, the struggle for me boils down to “mass-followers but at what cost?” Several questions come to mind in terms of Twitter etiquette. If you follow me and I follow you back, is that enough? If I don’t have time to send a personal direct message “thank-you for following,” would people still prefer an automated pre-fabbed response instead of nothing at all? Not sure about you guys but I’ve never clicked on a link coming in from an automated direct message, not once.
This action says to me: “Hi sucka, thanks for the follow, now go check out my blog and buy my stuff.”
Systems like TweepMe are simply numbers focused and deliberately impersonal, this defeats the purpose and great social upside inherent within social media. In the case of TweepMe, you actually pay for the privilege of being impersonal. Some obviously see the allure to being the largest spam broadcaster on Twitter, I don’t. Clearly, this is a subjective discussion as to what constitutes “value” and how to deliver it to others. Moving forward, here are some of the tweeted responses to my TweepMe question.
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Sirthinks: @fusedlogic followers for the sake of followers. Seems to defeat the whole point SM. Social commentary of like, or intriguing ideas.
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Taite11: @fusedlogic Tweepme seems pretty worthless to me. Everybody on there will soley want to push out their tweets rather than read. -
enThrall: Feed your ego with thousands of followers? RT @fusedlogic What are your thoughts on “buying” followers? http://www.tweepme.com/ -
enThrall: @fusedlogic re:tweepme – Depends on why you’re on here. Nice pkg of ppl to discover, lot of crap. Risks big mktg interest, less SM essence.
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eadnams: @fusedlogic only good if you don’t get caught… better question is… what about selling accounts with lots of followers?
Do I promote my company and team on Twitter? Absolutely, I’m proud of my company, we’re doing some awesome work within the social web (admittedly not all of it visible), our clients are very happy and we’re growing. Marketing is a part of the Twitter community, how one does it is the key difference.
I’ve been asked to supply some of my social media principles in the past and so this might be a good time to talk about those related to Twitter.
- Be respectful of others.
- Be human, even if you are a news feed. Example – @iNews880
- Promote the work of others, re-tweet and use the (via @method ) whenever possible.
- Follow others, don’t be a snob. (exclude spammers and profiles of little redeeming value)
- Think – Would this tweet make my mom proud?
- Observe, listen and learn.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Avoid “automated” actions that degrade rapport building whenever possible.
Ultimately, just be yourself – “Tweet YOU Edmonton!”
Now sure, that might mean that you’re a spammer like many on TweepMe or a self-serving one-way broadcasting Twitter snob wasting valuable Twitter server power. Regardless, if that’s who you are, then be proud and be aware of #unfollowfriday or worse yet…
Thanks for the @iNews880 shout out Walter!
As for Tweepme… I think that the people who use it don’t understand how Twitter – and Social Media – work. It’s about building relationships with people, which to me, means that it needs a personal touch that a whole lot of ‘spam’ following just won’t do.
With the auto-DM’s… I sometimes unfollow after receiving them. While welcoming everyone is a great thought… I don’t want to be welcomed or thanked for following you. All I want is stimulating thoughts, some conversation, and/or interesting links. Be yourself, and that’s enough for me. And if Twitter is all about the followers… maybe you should think less about collecting people, and more about providing substance and engaging new connections.
This is the best analysis I have seen yet of why TweepMe does not work.
http://www.tamurajones.net/TweepMe.xhtml
Very thorough and convincing.
Well said Brittney and thanks Peter.
Good commentary, Walter – that was my take on the auto-followers. I’m not on here to boast my numbers: one interesting exchange with someone who follows me is worth more than the number “1,562″ on my follow list.