Social Media Marketing
Twitter Etiquette: How to Annoy Friends and Make Enemies with Auto DM
May 17, 2011 | 
Author Auto Direct Messages is Bad Twitter Etiquette
What’s the best way to tell a new Twitter follower that you don’t care about having any type of relationship with them? Send them an automated direct message!
I’ve written many articles about Twitter etiquette and how best to use the social networking website. I’ve suggested a few times that you should use an automated tool like TweetAdder to help make updating your profile on the social networking site less time consuming. However, some people are taking things to an absurd level and using the tool to not only put their account on auto pilot but to also send auto direct message to their followers on Twitter.
Auto Direct Messaging is Like Slapping Your Followers in the Face with Bad Twitter Etiquette
Okay, let’s back up a little bit and explain what auto direct messaging (DM) on Twitter is. The social networking site has an onsite messaging feature that allows you to send private tweets to people who are following you. This way, you can have a separate conversation with other members on Twitter without worrying about offending anyone or letting the whole world know your secrets.
There are several tools online, like SocialOomph and TweetAdder, which lets you to send direct messages automatically whenever anyone follows you as well as broadcast messages to multiple people. The most common way people auto direct message others on Twitter is when they get a new follower. It’s gotten to the point where I’m more surprised when I don’t get an automated message begging me to visit a website, download an EBook, or Like their Facebook page whenever I follow someone new.
So why is auto dm considered bad Twitter etiquette? It’s bad because you are basically spamming people on Twitter. It’s one thing to send a personalized invite to someone you’ve gotten to know and who you think may be a good match for what you are offering which I would classify as good Twitter etiquette. It’s quite another thing to spew out your sales message via a mass auto messaging service to people who may not even be in the market for what you are selling.
It’s also very impersonal. Social networking is all about getting to know each other. All of the auto DMs I’ve received have no identifying information. They all pretty much follow the same lifeless pattern: “Hi. Thanks for following. Visit my website (or download my Ebook or buy something from me please. Please!)”.
Imagine how this instance of poor Twitter etiquette would translate at a party. Very few people would want to interact with you. And, in fact, many people I surveyed on Twitter said they would unfollow someone who auto direct messaged them.
Yeah, it’s that bad.
People are inundated with unwanted sales messages in their email, on the telephone, and even on YouTube videos. The last thing they want is to be dealing with that on a social networking site where the point is to engage in conversation with likeminded people. If you really want to build a profitable business, then your focus should be on developing long term relationships with the people in your network.
The Golden Rule of Twitter Etiquette Is If You Don’t Have Anything Personal to Say…
Now this isn’t to say that auto direct messages is always bad Twitter etiquette. If you have a group of people that you know well and who are open to receiving that type of communication from you then, by all means, go for it. However, when it comes to new followers or people you don’t know don’t shoot yourself in the foot by asking a robot (automated Twitter tools) to shake hands with them.
If you want to engage in good Twitter etiquette then send them a personal thank you that acknowledges a common interest. Trust me you will make an impression on them which will get them paying attention to what you have going on in your business. If you just don’t have the time to welcome everyone in such a way, then it is probably best to not to do anything at all.
What are your thoughts? Do you think auto direct messages are evil? What are your tips for good Twitter etiquette?
Contact me for a free one hour consultation where we can go over some effective strategies for getting your business noticed online. If you want to learn more about Twitter etiquette and how to use the social network the right way then check out my previous social media marketing articles.
Posted in Social Media Marketing, Twitter Training | 
Tags: auto direct messages, Twitter Etiquette | 
17 Comments »
Social Media Pet Peeve: Automated Direct Messages on Twitter
My biggest pet peeve on Twitter is the automated dm on Twitter. It drives me crazy. And I’m not the only one. I’ve spoken to other people on Twitter who say that they will delete anyone who sends them an automated direct message on Twitter.
I don’t blame them. All it does is clog up the inbox and makes no effort to actually start a relationship with the person who has chosen to be a part of your network. I don’t want to get a robotic message from you. I would rather talk to you about what you do and see how I can help you.
To me automated direct messages on Twitter just sends a message that you don’t care enough about your followers to personally interact with them. What do you think? What are your social media pet peeves?
Posted in Facebook, Social Media Marketing, Twitter Training | Tags: Auto DM, Twitter | 4 Comments »
Why Use LinkedIn for Business Networking
LinkedIn for Networking
My guest speaker, Bryan Daly, is hot on LinkedIn and he is going to show you how to use this business social network to exponentially expand your network.
Why Use LinkedIn?
- What is special about LinkedIn?
- LinkedIn Tips
- Setting Up Your Profile
- Connecting
- Posting
- Groups
- Search
- Answers
Why You Need a Blog
- Allows for a deeper level of communication
- Deliver news informally
- Business your credibility
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Get a Great Blog
- MyBrandingSystem…Brand you
- Easy to use
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LinkedIn Edge
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- We know the main reason we are here.- Business
- You can “see” others in the network-
- Profile business history/resume no where else
- Search for people that don’t have profiles any where else
- Groups & Answers
- Connect with Others
- Introduce Yourself
- Contribute to Group
Business Etiquette
- Avoid blatant self promotion
- Post useful, interesting information
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- Make introductions to refer business to others
- Remember to be professional yet interesting and personal
Visit the Social Media Video Library for more blogging and social media training. Contact me for a free 1 hour consultation on how to use LinkedIn and other social media tools to your advantage.
5 Warning Signs of a Weak Social Media Strategy
Feed Your Friends: Connecting Your Social Media Profiles to FriendFeed
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Social Media Strategies and Tips
Social Media Strategies and Tips
Today, many organizations are looking for new ways to gain a competitive edge in the ever-changing market. One method of keeping in contact with possible customers is a new form of media known as social media. Any interaction that takes place between people online is a prime example of social media. Trying to find ways to use this new form of media has led to the creation of many new social media strategies. Many companies are taking advantage of this new media by adding links to popular forms of social media including MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Social media tips can help a company to build its company base and increase revenues.
Most people today of all ages are enjoying the ability to send text messages back and forth to each other. With the technological changes that have come into place with personal phones. One can check email or check out comments that their friends have posted on their favorite social media sites. Because of the ease of access provided by the latest phone technology, social media strategies should be re-evaluated. Companies that provide social media tools on their websites often can expect more visitors than other sites that do not. Instead of having to take the time to write a birthday card for your brother, today you can send a funny card through a variety of websites. Social media tips can take advantage of this new social media access.
Part of the problems with using social media tips is that a limit can always impede a websites ability to be successful. If there are too many social media tools available, it may overwhelm the visitors to the website. If a website causes this type of problem, people may decide to visit another site instead. Trying to balance what is offered can be a difficult task to accomplish when trying to make use of important social media strategies. One of the best social media tips that any company can follow is to provide humor on the website. Everyone loves to find something to laugh at and adding humor to the social media strategies being employed is a smart decision.
If you wish to take full advantage of the social media strategies that most successful companies are using today, you should consider checking out the various websites that are providing social media tips. Each of these sites has different ideas and suggestions that a business can examine to see which will fit in with the company’s vision and still attract new possible customers. Once you have found the right tips or strategies to use, you will need to refine your message to be sure you get the right message to the right group of customers. Times are changing and businesses need to do the same or they will get lost in the growing chaos. Social networking is becoming very commonplace and something as simple as text-messaging updates about your company could prove to be the edge your company needs to remain in the market.
If you are looking for the best social media strategies, check out what Ploked might be able to offer you. social media tips are important to help your company remain on the cutting edge of social interactions.
Article from articlesbase.com
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