8 replies to this topic

[Chris Miller]

A great tool like Twitter comes along and the stupid people screw it up. Twitter is a SOCIAL MEDIA tool to engage with people in a way that has never been possible before. Look at these people though - most are distributors and suppliers. They get their twitter account setup and their first reaction is to start spamming. What is with people? Would they walk into a dinner party or other social event and start yelling about how they sell promotional products? Twitter is no different, and they are ruining it for themselves.

Check out the live search feed for "Promotional Products" and look at what some of these people are saying. The funny thing is, most have no followers so no one is listening to them!

http://search.twitte...tional+products

I am just amazed by people. This is exactly what they do with EVERY new form of marketing / media that comes about. They are lazy and their instinct is to move in hard and fast without even thinking about what they are doing. Luckily these methods do not work at all and they will soon wonder why they have failed. It's because they don't use their heads and think there are shortcuts that can be taken. The internet is EXACTLY like marketing / selling OFFLINE. THINK!

Thanks for letting me vent. If you want to follow me on Twitter, I am @chrismillerjr Be sure to @ me because DM's are another big source of useless spam and I don't even look at them anymore.

[bigimpression]

It'll only get worse Chris!

[ScottH]

I've always liked the expression "You wouldn't care so much about what people think of you, if you knew how infrequently they did."

Kinda sums up twitter in my book.

[designitdeb]

I am brand new to Twitter and don't really understand it...I know it is classed as a social networking site but also see on the news that it is supposed to be one of the best ways to promote your business. It sounds like you are saying that if you mention something you are doing for your business, that you are "spamming." If all you are doing is posting what you are doing or working on, how is that spamming?
I also have Facebook but have that set as private as it is only for friends and family but people tell me I should use that to promote my business as well.

[indyjones]

Unfortunately, it's not only the promo guys. All the oppressed used car salesmen/carpetbaggers and conmen in the world are twittering. Along with the Celebs that use it as a ego booster.

My take is if you want a message to get to your "followers/public" without going through the media prizm this is your tool. If you're trolling for business.... I'm dubious as to the benefits.

I would like to hear other people's takes.

[Chris Miller]

Debbie,

The best advice I can give is to use these tools like you would a BNI group, local chamber, etc. Engage people, build relationships, and business will come. Some people think the internet is a magic tool but its really no different than working offline. The only real difference is, you have access to a bigger pool, and if you do it correctly, can reach more of them in a shorter period of time. It still takes a good deal of effort though. There are no shortcuts if you're looking for RESULTS. :)

[sthosler]

I think most prospects/clients are only interested in useful information as it applies to their business, i.e. marketing, operational solutions. The 140 character "Tweets" just don't allow that. You are left with people's lame attempt at something clever.

[rcasner]

Their responses are better than those marketing people on Twitter that bash the Pope.

[kristiy]

Similar to coming on DT and getting to know your friends and peers..
You come on here, you talk back and forth, you get to know people's interests, etc..
you really do get to "know" that person, and when you are interested in doing business in that person's area of expertise, you would probably think of calling them first.
They aren't constantly advertising to you about what they do, but you know what they do because you are their online friend.

Same goes for FB, Twitter, etc. I keep Facebook rather clean (as opposed to my old myspace page- no clients there). i started out not adding my clients, however I have turned "old friends" on facebook into clients, without ever trying to, they message me for quotes. Crazy thing is, as long as I don't talk 'negative" in my status updates, or let trashy stuff on my page (i will delete some comments, etc from "out there" friends) then I feel my "casual" page is professional enough, yet relaxed enough that my customers can feel as if they know me, thus building loyalty!!

Now, for LinkedIn, that is a resume site, and it is kept completely professional.