I can’t stand it. You can’t stand it. Everyone hates it.
Yet people keep doing it.
It’s really the fate of any new communication medium. Short-sighted people are going to look at this medium as their platform, their megaphone, their one-way street.
It saddens me to see so many people constantly posting tweets and Facebook updates that go something like this:
- Brand X is helping me lose 10 pounds a week. It can help you, too. CLick here . . . .
- If you want to make $1,000 this week on the Internet, I have what you need.
- Want to earn what you’re worth? Sign up with Brand X. Ask me how.
- I get 300 followers a day. Go here to find out more.
Nobody gets on Twitter looking for crap like this. There’s nothing “social” about using social media as your own advertising medium. This approach to social media completely ignores the fact that you need to provide value to your followers.
Shouting does not equal value.
Sadly, my direct selling friends seem to be the worst offenders of this web marketing crime. Which is a shame, because they are poised more than most to leverage social media to help build the relationships that direct sales thrives on to begin with.
Is there a time and place to peddle your goods in this space? Sure, but it needs to be separated by lots of tweets that don’t. If you can present yourself as a likeable, knowledgable resource – even expert – then people will be much more likely to consider your occassional shameless plugs. But likeability, knowledge and expertise are in the eye of the beholder.
Use social media in a social way. Networking works because it allows people to meet each other in fun, non-threatening ways and gradually find out what everyone does professionally.
What are some of the worst Twitter offenses you’ve come across?
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Thanks for this brave honesty. I have held the same sentiments but have not had the courage to write them. What outcome would you expect if you walked into a room of people, some you know well, some you do not and shouted, “I sell XYZ, wanna buy some?”
Don’t get me wrong, I love hearing about weight loss and tips for the kitchen. I love to hear about people, their successes and their challenges.
The worst message I heard was “I need two more people to join my team so I can win this contest.” Makes me want to engage in his business, NOT.
Dana –
Exactly. People forget the “social” part of social media. Get to know people, and as you do, they’ll find out what it is you do. When they have a need for it, you’ll be the first person they ask.
Brett,
Hey man, the new site is awesome. Congrats! As far as the Twitter shouting, I hear ya… I tend to use Tweetdeck most of the time, and with groups created, I closely follow organized groups of people I already know or as being warmed up to. therefore, I tend not to see some of these other wacky updates you mentioned. Nonetheless, it needs to stop. Once someone labeled as a spammer, they’re done.
-Mig
Miguel – I love your point that “once someone is labeled as a spammer, they’re done.” It’s so true. One of the best uses of Twitter is that you can develop trust with people you otherwise would never have met. Of course, the other side of that coin is you can really irritate them if you don’t bother with building trust.
bd
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Brett,
I must have missed this post earlier and then I essentially wrote about the same thing yesterday (color me embarrassed). You make some great points and I think most of us who use Twitter the way it should be are all in it together!
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