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Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers
When writing your thank you note that our system is going to send to your new followers, do not include any self-promotional text and/or links.
It invariably leaves a bad taste in the mouth of your new follower.
Think about it. Here you are, you've just decided you want to follow someone, and the very first thing they say to you is, "Hello, do you want to buy my stuff?"
Not good.
Send a very simple, warm, and friendly thank you note. The promotional stuff will happen over time.
It invariably leaves a bad taste in the mouth of your new follower.
Think about it. Here you are, you've just decided you want to follow someone, and the very first thing they say to you is, "Hello, do you want to buy my stuff?"
Not good.
Send a very simple, warm, and friendly thank you note. The promotional stuff will happen over time.
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Inappropriate?Excellent idea, Dewald! it's the same on likes of Facebook too... we must keep in mind it's relationships first, business second when it comes to social networking in particular!!
I’m excited about the TwitterLater app 'specially for following peeps!
1 person thinks
this is one of the best points
1 Comment Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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I whole-heartedly agree with Mari's sequence: 1) relationship 2) business. Might I add 3) celebrate a lot! -
Inappropriate?I agree wholeheartedly! As a matter of fact, I even go so far as to say, "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask!" I really do keep track, and when I log in to my Twitter after several hours, I almost always take 10 minutes to read through what I missed. I only hope that my followers gain as much from me as i do from them.
I’m delighted with all of my new friends!
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Inappropriate?I agree self promotion is not the way to begin a relationship and twitter is all about relationships.
I’m gad to read this best practice
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Inappropriate?
Dewald... Twat in the Tworld to folks Twinking when they do that?
I agree. I actually studied this issue a bit as I was putting together my "Twittin' Secrets" (100 free non-wimpy Twitter tips and secrets).
Not only did I recommend Tweetlater in my 100 Twitter tips, but separately I covered the topic of your post above in Twitter tip #33 located here:
http://www.squidoo.com/twittinsecrets
BTW, Tweetlater is recommended in Tip #30.
The rest of these Twitter tips are scattered across the web at Google Base, Google Knol, Squidoo, PRweb, HubPages, Xanga etc... but all 100 are 100% free.
Enjoy!
Dan
I’m glad to contribute to this topic!
3 Comments Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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I appreciate your comment. Where did the chart come from? How many people were surveyed? ... Guess a lots of questions and wondering if this could be an ongoing question.
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I appreciate your comment. Where did the chart come from? How many people were surveyed? ... Guess a lots of questions and wondering if this could be an ongoing question.
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I appreciate your comment. Where did the chart come from? How many people were surveyed? ... Guess a lots of questions and wondering if this could be an ongoing question.
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Inappropriate?A nice sentiment but I'd say that this depends on the context of the following and the expectations of the follower.
So, I'd agree that "thanks" and "welcome" are nice but if you are following a specific type of Tweeter, you might expect links or promotion, too. For example, BBC/CNN doesn't need to thank me and I'm specifically asking for links and self-promotion if I choose to follow the Dell Outlet.
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Inappropriate?
Personally I don't pay much attention to the automatic "thank you for the follow" because it's just not personal. I actually prefer sending my new follows a thank you for the follow in my public stream. Sometimes I look for something on their profile that I can make a comment about. I saw someone else do this and liked it.
I realize that some people get too many follows a day to thank each one personally in their public twitter stream - so maybe that's not for everybody.
The think I like best about Twitter is that it get's me me up close and personal with people I may have never dialoged with other wise. I try to reinforce that with my interaction with my followers.
I’m thankful
2 Comments Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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That's a great picture!
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This is a great idea! I plan to try this. Thanks, Melody.
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Inappropriate?I agree no selling in the welcome message, I do however include a link, the link to my personal blog, I sell nothing there.
Just so they can get to know me if they want to.
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?I agree. In addition, I would prefer that people who do not directly communicate with new followers send an auto reply through Direct Message instead of a regular Tweet.
If thanking them through regular Tweets it would be better to start a conversation with them.
I’m confident.
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Inappropriate?I DISAGREE with a blanket statement that says "very first thing they say to you is, "Hello, do you want to buy my stuff?" is 'NOT GOOD'
It boils down to one thing. VALUE.
In the physical world, if I were to send you an envelope with a $10 bill when you follow me, would you be offended?
So what if I'm selling something that will alter your life MORE than that $10 might - would you find that 'offending'?
On Twitter, there is NO WAY to say how a new follower 'found' you and 'decided' to follow you. Pointing them to a resource that 'sells' them on you IS a viable option.
Like all good marketers, one needs to test it, see if your approach works, and tweak it until it does.
Just a different perspective. Sometimes, going against the 'wisdom of the crowds' is what will make you stand out - and win!
All success
Dr.Mani
TwitterProfit.com
I’m amused
2 Comments Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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gotta go the "other way" from the crowd, eh Dr Mani? Understood. Still I think this gives "newbies" who don't know how to be themselves & Build a relationship based on value, mutual value, and who only promote (I deal with them every day) ... the wrong impression. Would you like to comment?
- Julie Wolf, Skype Tips coach
http://incomeassurance.com/skype -
respect all points of view always even if for some reason I might disagree. Another point before I respond, anyone can win an argument provided the argument was well thought out. Be that as it may, looking at Dr. Mani's position of the argument, comparing the $10 dollars to a link to a landing page or sales copy page in a "Thank you for following me" DM.
Yes, anyone that see's value in something obviously welcomes the invitation. Now, do you know if what you are inviting your new follower even needs what you are offering? Perhaps the new follower is already a customer or user of the product, you don't know. So, it by perception is no different than a commercial playing on television blindly assuming or hoping that a percentage of viewers will respond by buying a product and or services offered. Right?
It is that blindly aiming for an unknown target and hoping it hits a few here and there that "Turns" new tweeters off. You don't know them yet.
You have not earned the right to assume the sale, if you will. Now, I do agree, it is thing of Value. How many people don't value receiving a ten dollar bill with NO strings attached?
Now, how many of your followers are interested in what you are selling specifically? I remember for years in the beginning of AOL, even after being a paid customer for years, they would continue sending me new subscriber free disk. In the beginning, is was not too annoying, but over a period of time, I collected over a hundred of them, what a waste.
Anyway, you can not assume all of your new followers will have direct proportionate same monetary value of what you are selling. Are your followers targeted? Even then, unless you are following you specifically for purchasing your product or agree to be a prospect for the product or services your offering, it can be potentially annoying.
Now, I am not saying there is no possible way to present what you are selling, but you must do it without annoying anyone or being a turn off, perhaps that's the challenge.
And that challenge is perhaps best left in the hands of a professional or skilled marketer to test again and again this issue. And is definitely NOT recommended for the novice.
As a general rule, I have to agree with the widely accepted thought, NOT to spit your affiliate or landing page in a welcome or thank you DM, there are other more effective strategies to get better results than to appear thirsty for those new followers money or sales verses offering them value from you, the person being followed.
Personally, I would rather say something like, "I look forward to sharing thoughts, ideas, interesting links, and more." Or "Based upon your profile, I think we will enjoy each others tweets and pls feel free to reply anytime" or something. Just from the top of my head. You can be very creative with this. You could peak there interest with a question or comment so they will want to check out your profile link perhaps?
Paul Carter Jr.
http://twitter.com/glomable -
Inappropriate?That is the best advice yet. I added @Problogger and @DoshDosh social love in lists. Got huge piles of 'buy my stuff' msg by DM. Quite a put off, but the nice ones I answered fast to make a connection. Making a sale for a first impression is just a bad concept, loses your potential customer fast.
Nice post, thnx
Peace,
Mich D aka @MichDdot
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?Excellent advice. It's always nice to shake someone's hand first, look them in the eye, and get to know who they are. I believe steven Covey once wrote, "First seek to understand, then to be understood." Thanks for the post!
With joy,
Dr. Annette
AnnetteColby.com
I’m appreciative
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Inappropriate?Great advice. Personally, I don't want to receive something promotional as someone's 'hello.' I appreciate when those I am following employ DM to personally thank followers and I do the same out of consideration of those following me. -
Inappropriate?Twitter is one of the best ways to meet people. I have been off it for weeks; my password is rejected &I can't get it fixed (they never answer emails!). So I use mingll, friendfeed, etc.,...but it's not the same!
1 person thinks
this is one of the best points
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This reply was removed on 10/04/08.
see the change log -
Inappropriate?Marketers, listen to what your customer base is saying.
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Inappropriate?Nothing wrong with a personal response, but as someone suggested earlier, sometimes it's just not possible to keep up with that. So what are you supposed to do then, just not use an autoresponder? That's what Tweetlater is for. :)
Yes, relationships are an important part of our daily personal and business lives. I think that autoresponders are a very effective method of building those relationships. However, I think the issue here is being taken just a little too seriously. We're talking about a finite message, one that has a character limitation, so what's wrong with including in your "thanks for following message" with something that points to a site or something free, or yes, even a product that might be worth buying?
If you don't care to click on the link that's included, then accept the "thank you" you received and discard the message. Social networking is still finding its legs, but one thing that cannot be denied is that it's a wonderful way to grow as a person and as a business and I think that's here to stay.
If you don't have a business to grow, then no problem, but please note that you will, to some degree, come into contact with those that do.
I’m disappointed
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Inappropriate?Dewald-Thank you for the email. I agree with you completely. I added a link in my thank you to my blog based on an article on twitter in "the net effect" and in retrospect realize it was bad advice.
Thank you for taking the time to email me.
Claude Pelanne
I’m confident
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Inappropriate?I'm using it to also ask them to connect with me on FB and LinkedIn via tinyurls. No selling - Just connecting.
Love the system!
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Inappropriate?Thank you! For a long time I wondered how people sent me thank yous after I started to follow them and now I know. I am also grateful to understand the netiquette or (twitterquette), so thank you.
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Inappropriate?As with everything in business and life, 'it depends'. There is no one-size-fits all answer here. I agree that a brash sales pitch is not the email to send. The specific message should be directed to the follower and thier expectations, knowing the tweeter they chose to follow. What would be acceptable and even expected from Dan Kennedy would not be accepted from Lynnelle.
I’m giddy with girlish enthusiasm.
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Inappropriate?I always make it a point to contact someone who has chosen to follow me. It shows that you appreciate a tweet taking the time to check out your bio and read some of your tweets. Having the auto responder is great to insure you send a follow prompt reply. I still follow up with and additional comment.
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?Well I believe you should do both, I see the thank you for following message as a "Nice to meet you too. This what I do/specialize in/like. Tell me about yourself..what do you do, like, or specialize in."
I think the message should be allowed to be a bit longer,
"Hi thanks for the follow, It is nice to meet you, tell me about yourself, your interests and spcialties. Go here [url] to learn more about me and what I am upto. Have a great day. Charles"
That is 190 character not including the number that would make up the link.
I think it is short, pleasant, friendly, non-threatening & to the point.
I would be interested in others opinions.
My twitter is: CharlesHughes
I’m confident
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Inappropriate?I see that Dewald's idea was presented 5 months ago! I've just joined Twitter, so it's new to me. I strongly agree. Self promotion can be counterproductive to relationship building.
I like warm and friendly exchanges.
Jeanie
I’m with you!
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Inappropriate?You are absolutely correct. Not only is this true on Twitter, but on all the social networks. Bombarding me with your products is a real turn off.
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Inappropriate?Great advice! Let's see if we can build a relationship first then the rest will follow.
Thanks!
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?Great advice though it's sad that some people wouldn't use common sense and already know this.
And as TravlingNani said, this is true across the board in every social media/networking site.1 Comment Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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Well, I use a soft sell approach and it's working very nice.
Nick Hetcher of www.NixTheNews.com and www.TwitterIncome.com -
Inappropriate?It makes a bigger impression to make a friend and take interest in them then to send a link to join or buy something. Thank you for the email and all the great replies here. I also like the idea of offering a link to a blog a profile (Facebook, LinkedIn, Myspace, etc ) to learn more and asking for more info on them.
That is why i coach Skype users to put more info about themselves, in their Skype profile, like their picture and their "About Me" link (a social media profile or blog url ) . I love Twitter but have been using and coaching others to "Build relationships" on Skype since 2003. http://incomeassutrance.com/skype
So Yes I agree. Lead by making a friend ... do NOT invite every one you meet as soon as you meet them, to make YOU money! Take interest in them. See my Skype Room Guidelines for good Nettequette http://incomeassurance.com/blog/?page...
Question:
Did I get this email because I used Tweetlater after a long time of non use? What stimulated that? (I'll reply to the email with this Q as well).
Julie Wolf, Skype Coach
I’m glad so many are wise to this simple truth! Take interest in someone else and they will be interested in you.
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Inappropriate?What about a link giving something away with absolutely nothing to buy? I don't think this is a bad thing necessarily as it may drive website traffic to a free site such as a blog about personal development.
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?I think just a warm welcome shows you are not desperate or pushy for sales. Twittering is to get interest in sites. Remember this is socializing - get trust first then help, then sell. No one is that interested in you. They are interested in how you can help them, but first the trust issue.
I’m thankful
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Inappropriate?I like adding other ways to stay in touch, like links to facebook or linkedin, but a link to buy my stuff.... hmm.
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Inappropriate?I am not talking about a link for people to buy stuff. It is a report about responsibility and performance improvement in life and in business. It is totally free with nothing to buy. Even the books I mention have no affiliate links tied to them.
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?I completely agree. A personal note would be the best thing, but when autoresponders are needed, I would use a warm welcome and why not a free tip that the receiver will consider useful? Depending on your audience of course. That lets the recipient say "wow! great tip! I am so glad I followed this user"
Promotions over directs? Would most probably lose my follow. Dangerously borders on spam.
I’m happy of reading this advice
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Inappropriate?It seems pretty obvious but it is constantly ignored. I couldn't agree more with you. It makes me think of "Do onto others as you would wish them do onto you". Thanks for your idea Dewald.
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?I don't know...I think it depends. I do direct people to my stores, and as far as I know, haven't lost anyone for it. I do thank them first, then tell them that if they want great gifts or party ideas to see my websites. I think it depends on how you word your promotion on how it is accepted.
I’m unconcerned
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Inappropriate?Really appreciate the advice. Always love learning, anything everything and I do listen. So again, thank you and I look forward to hearing more.
Most Sincerely,
Tanya A Chadwick
tascer
I’m thankful
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Inappropriate?So you send out shameless emails for people to visit your getsatisfaction site? I am not satisfied and you have left a bad taste in my mouth.
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Inappropriate?You certainly don't have to receive those emails. I am amazed at the controversy and comments here. You absolutely, positively should not do any thing but a warm thank you and welcome. There are too many other places to put your freebies and promotions. Promoting yourself in a thank you shows desperation and pushiness.
What a turn off.
I’m sad
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Inappropriate?Hi Dewald and Everyone reading this ...
I am new to Twitter and Twit Later. I put my own blog link in my auto thank you notification that says, "Thanks for following me. if you would like to see what I am up to visit my blog here ... " and I haven't received a single complaint yet from over 700 followers?
Just thought I would let everyone know that this approach is working ok for me but my advice is to make sure you provide valuable information on your blog.
Great service Dewald and all the best,
Dave Guindon
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Inappropriate?Ok my turn...I included a link to a free ebook that I think anyone doing internet marketing would enjoy, but I do follow up with a OTO (one time offer). I am not sure if anyone is offended by that, but I would hope people would respond by sending me a tweet saying that it is distasteful. Free for checking out something I am suggesting, does not sound bad to me.. But according to this blog I am in the minority... Which reminds me, I don't think I should have to give you my email address just because I want to post an opinion on your blog...but I did just so you can hear my voice...:-)
Clint -
Inappropriate?This is a very interesting thread to me since I have been experimenting with what approach to use. I agree that blatantly selling something is a turnoff.
However, I'm curious as to how you would feel about an offer to receive a free gift - one that has inherent value, that has no strings attached and is not designed to sell anything else? What if I had a coffee shop and offered you to check my store and give you a free cappuccino - with no requirement that you buy anything else?
My wife is from Sweden and she was raised with an expectation that you always bring a gift when they get invited to someone's house or event for the first time. So whenever we receive an invite or our daughter's get invited to someone's home for the first time, she always insists on bringing a gift. I personally think this is a very generous and supportive custom and attitude.
I truly would be very interested to hear from you who have posted as to what is the problem with this approach.
Great discussion.
Thanks
I’m excited
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Inappropriate?I agree, but then we cannot paint the world with a single brush. When I join someone influential in my area of interest I welcome their links such that I can see what is new, and what they are up to.
Most of us in the IM world value our relationships, but we also understand that we are in IM< and failing to drop a link might be costly before it is offensive.
Ah well, opions are like belly buttons, we all got 'em!
Excellent service.
:>)
Ron Davies
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?Ron,
Do you mean costly as in we should have done it, or costly as in it would be worse than just being offensive. Sorry, I am slow tonight...
Clint -
Inappropriate?Hi Clinta,
Perhaps I did not word it clearly. What I meant by costly was the failure to capitalize on every oppotunity to expand out business. More or less the difference between a vacation, or a vacation with a golf game with 3 potential JV partners :>)
The link is really a solicitation, but it can be tactful. I submit that a clever combination of a warm welcome and an unabashed link would still be as well received as a welcome with no link.
We are not talking about bass fishing followers here, really, they are likely to be in the IM world, and probably more than comfortable, and less than insulted or alienated when they are faced with a link.in the welcome.
Only my humble opinion #:>)
Great site here, great conversation all.
Ron Davies
1 person thinks
this is one of the best points
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Inappropriate?been using twitter for only 3 months now , tried to learn quickly , most is common scene stuff just like off-line relationship , we needed to think non selfish to build quality relationship that will last for years to come
I’m happy
1 person thinks
this is one of the best points
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Inappropriate?I strongly agree - I get annoyed overall by the drum beat of self dealing that social media seems all to much about.
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Inappropriate?I immediately delete every DM with a "free ebook" link ... the ones I've saved have a few words in them that show me that a human sent them. :)
I had the auto-reply to new followers on for about an hour when I got my first "Turn that thing OFF" reply ... people that get DMs on their cell do not want it at all! I had my Squidoo group linked with a "more about me" generic intro.
I’m glad I saw this -- even if a bit late for me!
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Inappropriate?Thanks for the heads-up of course your correct, lesson learned, more haste less speed...
Best wishes
Lee
I’m confident
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Inappropriate?I see the powerful effect of having a link, and at the same time I dread it because its sometimes quite annoying, like an OTO kinda thing.
I think its better to first build the relationship then send them the link.
I’m loving this smily thing below
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Inappropriate?I think that anyone that decides to follow you has already checked out your blog and profile and that's why they decided to follow you.. so why send a link to it?
I just started using tweetlater but I stole an idea from @David Sandusky 's grandmother. I thank them for coming to my blog and then I ask a question about them! What are you doing lately that's interesting? I've gotten great responses and started off with relationship rather than selling. Thank your gramma David. :)
I’m happy as usual!
1 person thinks
this is one of the best points
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1 Comment Add a comment
This is one of the best points
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It's not about what you can do for them or what they can do for you.
If you start a conversation that way - it sounds as if you are using an autoDM (which is bad practice to Twitter Purists).
If I follow someone & see we have something in common or I know someone that has something in common with them, I will make a point of making that my first Twitter. My favorite Twitter analogy comes from Chris Brogan, he says: all I want to do is shake your hand & all you want to do is stick your tongue down my throat.
Shake, no tongue. :) -
Inappropriate?I send a thank you note and invite them to DM why they are simply fearless for a chance to be featured on my stream - I post a daily simply fearless tip and I draw from followers for their knowledge, insight, and encouragement. I think it's pretty cool and I've gotten a lot of response.
http://twitter.com/simplyfearless
I’m simply fearless!
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Inappropriate?I'm glad you share my views!
In social networking... develop trust first... business later.
Remember what P.T. Barnam said about the seven steps.
I’m confident
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Inappropriate?The idea is ok. I also think you can include a link to your personal blog.
Lucian
http://twitter.com/intercer
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Inappropriate?Makes sense...we all want to do business with those with whom we feel comfortable and trust... How can you trust someone if they aren't interested in having a relationship with you?
ATTRACT, don't push away... :-)
Ellen -
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Inappropriate?Wrong, wrong wrong. Do not, under any circumstances auto DM a thank you for following. You don't know how their auto DMs are set up, for one thing. If they (like mine) trigger a txt, you're wasting my bandwidth with non-useful information. Second, they're following you. They've hopefully seen your tweets and decided that you're interesting. No need to thank them for that. Just continue to be interesting. Third, Twitter, despite its size isn't a big-box store. You can't build a following or a community for that matter with anything automatic or generic. Twitter is a community of conversations. Direct, personal conversations. It's about quality of information exchange. Join a conversation, or be innovative enough in your tweets for people to engage you directly.
Please, only you can stop the scourge of auto-Twitter. And don't get me started on auto-Following or Follower-phishing. Grr.
I’m bothered this is here.
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Inappropriate?I was under the assumption that Tweetlater took care of these kinds of snafus?
Is this not correct? -
Inappropriate?An open door with a welcome mat is more inviting.... -
Inappropriate?It's been said before, but it bears repeating. Make friends first before blasting out your commercial. It will be received with a open mind when you know each other better.
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?I am a member of several network communities. When I participate in a community I am really on it. I like receiving notifications of new followers from twitter.
I’m gettin' better by the tic' toc'
