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- February 7, 2009
Twitter Isn’t For Everybody
This week I reached a milestone when I picked up my 800th follower on Twitter. Now for me, that’s a big deal because my initial goal was to have 100 when I first signed on several months ago. One hundred friends seemed like a manageable number. Although I never expected all of them to be on Twitter at the same time, I felt confident I could follow the different conversations and offer valuable feedback as necessary.
But here I am now with all of these followers and I have to admit, some of them have fallen by the wayside. That, to me, is the danger of twitter networking. What good is it to have lots of connections if you aren’t creating some type of win-win situation for each other?
As a woman in business, I definitely see the value of a site like twitter. Case in point: Forty-eight hours ago, I promoted a Valentine’s Special for my book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age. As of this writing, I’ve sold 36 copies. My goal is 100.
Why have I been able to make these sales? I believe it’s because I provide a balance in my business and social networking. I’m not constantly on the site trying to sell anything. As a matter of fact, the Valentine’s Promotion is the first thing I’ve actually attempted to sell because I spend the majority of my time on the site promoting my blogs. I also make it a point to promote others through “re-tweeting” and am always looking for guests for my radio shows.
Here are some of my reasons why I believe twitter networking can do more harm than good:
1) Too Over Zealous: I have seen some Twitterers who have literally thousands of connections. I wonder why. What is the point? How can one effectively communicate with that many followers—unless all they’re doing is promoting their business and trying to sell their products or services. It’s a turn off for me—especially when you don’t give me the respect or courtesy of responding to a simple question or request I may put out—like, “Do you mind stopping by my blog and leaving a comment?”
You can be assertive in getting your message out there to the masses but if you never acknowledge your followers on a level they can identify with, then you’re really defeating your purpose for being on Twitter.
2) Connecting with the WRONG people: When I first joined Twitter, I was told I should follow everyone who follows me. That was considered common courtesy. I tried that for awhile but soon discovered that everyone who was following me wasn’t necessarily interested in me—but rather in what they could sell me. That was a turn-off!
Before you decide to follow a follower, take a few minutes and check out their profile and the website attached. See what they’re all about and then determine if that’s the kind of person you really want to be connected with. While I am a firm believer that you can learn something from everybody, I also believe not everyone is necessarily meant to be connected. I’ve even gone as far as to ask some followers why they chose to do so.
3) Alienate some connections: Having too many followers may cause you to alienate some connections. At any given time, there are dozens upon dozens of conversations going on and some conversations get overlooked.
I’ve also noticed there are some people who only respond to certain other people so no matter what you put out there, you just won’t get a response them. Are those people you really want to be associated with?
5) Inactivity: Every now and then it’ a good idea to check and see what your followers are up to. When was the last time they were on Twitter? If their last post was two weeks ago or longer, maybe you may want to drop them or at least send a message to see if everything is OK with them. Their response (or lack thereof) will help you determine whether you should have one less connection.
5) Twitter isn’t for everybody: Unless you’re willing to make an earnest effort to be engaging with your followers, offer more than your product or service, and be able to keep up with the fast pace, then maybe you should try another social networking site.
Once you’ve clearly determined why you want to be on Twitter and who you’re trying to reach, then actively seek those people out. There are some people there who are strictly about business and that’s OK if that’s where you’re coming from. But, on the other hand, don’t expect those same people to ask you about your day or share their dinner menu with you.
13 Responses to “Twitter Isn’t For Everybody”
Awesome post! I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I have profiles on multiple networking sites, because everyone can’t do twitter! Keep up the good work!
By DeAnna on Feb 7, 2009
Ditto Ms. Diva,
You hit it RIGHT on the head. In my opinion, the value of networking is NOT the numbers but the quality of the contact. My goal on LinkedIn, FB or Twitter is at some point to maximize the online & offline REALationship to discover synergy or win-win options between myself and the “follower.”
If we can’t establish synergy energy…then why connect at all. I’ve only been on Twitter for about 40 days, and I am doing a monthly triage to “unfollow” folks who are just prospecting versus TCE REALationship building.
So I agree, the 8,000 followers…I mean do you REALLY know those folks? Would you REFER them to your circles,family or friends? Have you had a telephonic chat with each of them for REALationship potential?
Hey give me a good 40 and I would be fine.
Great post and thanks for letting me vent, even though I am not a boomer.
By The Career Engineer on Feb 7, 2009
I’ve had some similar experiences. I have over 600 followers (most of whom I follow also) and when I tweet a question, I often don’t get a single reply. I do very little self-promotion, because I want to establish a connection first, but I do tweet when I have a new blog post. But it is difficult to establish connections if no one will talk to me. No there have been some exceptions, where I’ve had successful “conversations” on twitter, but my typical experience is to feel ignored. But I am not ready to give up. For me, I think it is a combination of honing the people I follow to those who resonate more with who I am, to increase my attempts to initiate conversation. Oh, and tweetdeck helps organize followers into groups that are then easier to keep track of the conversations.
By Joanne Hunold on Feb 7, 2009
Social media is definitely a paradigm shift in the way people will communicate going forward. And, there is a lot to learn about it. Great column Bev. Thank you. I’m happy to see that there are mid-life women using Twitter. If we don’t “get with it,” we’re going to get left behind! You might want to check out this great article a colleague just sent me by Mike Fruchter entitled Marketing on the Social Web. Here’s the link. http://tinyurl.com/chrkf9
By Pattie Heisser on Feb 7, 2009
Bev, wonderful share of your insight and wisdom into the social media space. I concur with your thoughts and add that my slow approach to social media is because of the issues you’ve outlined above.
Everyone has something to say, the problem is no one wants to really listen anymore. In order for social media to be truly effective, there must be a general respect for the value of a person’s time and the value in connecting with other people.
Have you read “Straight Tweet: Giving Voice to a Brand” by Victoria Harres Akers with PRNewswire? It is a gem of a white paper. Worth the read.
Here’s where you can download it:
http://www.hightech-pr.com/prn/2009_01_08_2/find_out_more.html
By Olalah Njenga on Feb 7, 2009
Olalah Njenga I am in total agreement with you. Our listening skills are either absent or diluted. Twitter and all the other social networking sites are silmilar to face to face networking in many ways.
Some folks meet at a function and If they believe you can help them there is an instant, “Can you help me with,…”. Now that is ok but so often it is one-sided.
Also, if you are not “tagged” as someone of merit many folks will assume you have little or no value to them and move on to the next person.
With Twitter so much of the same thing happens. I find everyone has developed their own Twitter style.
I have decided to “eat the chicken and spit out the bones” when it comes to Twitter.
Great post!
By rosie on Feb 7, 2009
I hit that milestone too Beverly and I think part of it is, that not everyone Tweets. Lots may read but not everyone posts regularly so you can only really reply to and network with those that are active.
As with anything, there will always be the lurkers (readers) and those that are active. I don’t worry about it too much – I’m active and I respond to those who are too. The rest just read and maybe one day I might hit on a hot button for them.
By Kathie M. Thomas on Feb 7, 2009
Twitter is a tool, some people use it more effectively than others. Lately I find too many who follow a ton of people, get them to follow, then they drop then, and follow a bunch more.
TweetDeck can be helpful.
Great article!
By Heidi Caswell on Feb 9, 2009
I, too get annoyed with those who use Twitter only for self-promotion. I follow a variety of professions, but watch carefully if I am learning anything from them, and if not, I delete.
I am there to help them as well, and in the process have made some really great contacts in the wedding industry. I’m learning so much from them!
I am put off by know-it-all people who think they are so far ahead of me in my industry that it is beneath them to acknowledge my questions or comments.
Thanks for this exceptional post!
By Pam Archer on Feb 9, 2009
I must confess I am only a recent tweeter or twitterer or whatever the correct term is. But I’m addicted! Of course, being so new, I may still be on my Twitter honeymoon. Perhaps I should wait a few months before I make my final judgement.
By Melodieann Whiteley on Feb 14, 2009
I think you make some very valid points here. The lanscape of twitter continues to evolve as do peoples approach to how they use it to interact with others and build relationships. I appreciate you sharing your views and your philosophy on the costs and benefits of twitter.
;)
Amy
On twitter @LotusAmy
By Amy Miyamoto on Feb 22, 2009
Amy,
Twitter has such great potential but it can also be very annoying to people like me who feel the need to reach out and communicate without the HARD SELL all the time. I have met some awesome people on Twitter–not because I want to sell them something—but because I believe we have more in common that we can share.
By Beverly on Feb 23, 2009
I’ve found twitter to be a useful tool for passing on information about products as well as the fun family freebies I offer on my site. I really try and keep a balance between personal as well as business “tweets”.. In fact.. I tweet more about personal things.
Even though my site is tips and ideas for all women.. I find that most of my followers are Boomers… therefore most of my twitter friends are boomers also. I love the connection with mature, wise, wonderful women.
By Insightful Nana on Feb 23, 2009