Thanks For Following, Now Click On My Junk

You are my hero. Truly.

I’ve been quietly wondering why so many people are doing this. I’ve fought the urge to immediately unfollow people when they do this and give them the benefit of the doubt, but my patience is starting to wear thin.

Thanks also for coining the phrase, “click on my junk”. I can’t wait to start incorporating that into my standard parlance.

Shannon pauls last blog post..How to participate in social media without being THAT guy

Thanks for taking the time to write about what many of us have been thinking. Each time that I get a DM like that, I have been thinking “oh, poor thing doesn’t get it yet” Some people are set up to auto follow, but I like to take a moment to see who is following me and if I want to follow back.
I look at 3 quick things- their bio, photo ( or lack of one) and recent tweets. Are they engaging anyone in conversation or just broadcasting?
Twitter is my favorite social media tool. Once you learn how to get to know people first before you give them a sales pitch, you have a much better chance of success!

Nancy Sutherlands last blog post..Are You Working Hard or Working Smart in Direct Sales?

It appears we agree on this topic, 100%!

I always do a bit of “digging” before I decide to follow anyone on Twitter. I look at their stream, read the bio section and look at their website if they have one listed.

The links are a personal turn-off, though I do still keep them on my follow list if they send me links until it turns into “look at me” all the time.

Everyone deserves a ‘second chance’.

I second that emotion!

Like you, and many others, before I follow anyone, I take a quick peek at their tweets, their brief bio and visit their blog or website. I do this whether choosing to follow someone new or follow someone back.

I have heard others say that when they set up the auto-reply thanking me for following that they can set it up to include my name. I no longer assume that the message is personal just because it includes my name. And the links to their blog or business website are too much. The ones that get me even more are the ones which link to my “free gift.”

Even thought this is irritating, I try to keep an open mind. It may be that they’ve seen others do this and feel this is an effective strategy. If it isn’t effective, they’ll figure it out eventually. I know I’ve still got a lot to learn, so I can hardly fault someone else for a misstep or two.

Irene Koehlers last blog post..Blogging Between Hot Flashes

That definitely bugs me. I will not follow someone whose last ten or more tweets are nothing more than blatant self-promotion. Why would I follow a commercial?

The only link I’d include in a DM for a new follower is one that I think would interest them based on their profile or recent tweets—and chances are good that it’s not going to be a link to my blog.

Kim/hormone-colored dayss last blog post..Friday Fun: Spinning lady messes with your mind

Hmmm… I thank folks for the follow, and despite not being automated, my responses are pretty lame and very generic.

I specifically dont autofollow, as I want to see if the individual following me egages others or broadcasts (those who broadcast only generally dont get followed back in return unless their broadcasts are mindblowing).

Its really foolish on my part, otoh not to DM back and try to engage the followee with a personalized message rather than a generic one, esp since I likely just checked their profile/website/blog etc. Gotta change that.

As far as links go… egads, to do so on initial contact would be uber spammy. I get enough of those via IM and email… I would hate to start seeing such behavior on twitter. Apart from the spammy sounding aspect, in my market, it would highly inefective.

Bless you for speaking this truth.

While I try to keep my thank-you DMs neutral and polite, I’ve received an amazing number that try to grab and sell me faster than a used car salesman on a lot full of rust-infested Yugos and K-cars.

I predict the Twitterverse will have t-shirts with “Click on my Junk” within the week… and someone’s bound to DM us back with a TUrl to buy them!

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I’m not sure how I could practice what I preach (or respect myself in the morning) if I were to ask ppl to click my junk. Because I preach/promote treating customers, colleagues and friends with value.

Hmm, let’s try saying that another way…

Why. Is. It. So. Tough. To. Be. Um. Human?

Because as in life, so too in marketing–people want to connect with humans. Not Junk . And it’s no different on twitter.

I will PROUDLY wear and promote my Click My Junk (NoT!) t-shirt. Because it’s bold and it stands for valuing people. Me likes bold. And me loves valuing people. Thank you for making doing the right thing so much darn fun .

Hi Amber,

What is wrong with them? Don’t they get that it might take me a minute to escape them at a party but it only takes one click to banish their Tweets?

On the plus side, one new follower took the time to check out my Web site and DM that she and I shared a client in common. That’s someone who really gets it.

Best,
Daria

Daria Steigmans last blog post..Obama, 50 Cent, and Choosing Wisely

I have a lovely “get rich quick” ebook I’d like to promote, here’s the link!

Seriously, couldn’t agree more

I noticed this happening lately, and I started to wonder if there was some Twitter etiquette I’d been violating. When someone follows me, I also check their tweets and their website – then I make the decision to block, allow, or follow. Every once in a while I make my updates private when I start getting random followers and tweet spam.

Btw, I found this post through one of the folks I follow.

CT Moms last blog post..The longest week ever

Amen! Great post! Finally, the truth is out!

Yep, agree totally. My thought is in line with #4 – everyone can put their URL in their profile, as soon as I look I see it and know if I want to check it out. I almost always do. But I like Twitter for networking and discussion with others in the field, not to get linked to spammy site.

ericas last blog post..Smashing Presents 30 Usability Issues

Great post. The guy in the picture looks familiar — I think I dated him once.

I am amazed by the people who have four posts, all of them spammy links, and are following 2,384 people within a couple of hours. They view twitter as the equivalent of a meat market bar. On the plus side, blocking them is so much easier than escaping through the ladies’ room window.

Barbara

Good post, but just one little point ; There are a lot of newbies out there on the Interchoobz, and not all of them are fully versed in netiquette (just yet).

You’re right, those instant DMs inviting you to check out their cool junk *are* annoying, but I don’t think they’re *malicious* – hopefully this annoying little practice will die out as Twitter et al become more “mainstream” – if it doesn’t, I’m sure there will be some concerted action to stop it …

*dons flame-proof trousers*

Stewbagz

I’ve been fuming about this topic for a while, so THANK YOU for finally speaking out about it.

I disagree with some of the other commenters that this is a ‘newbie’ issue and that it is merely a forgiveable Twitter ‘misstep.’ I think it speaks to the fundamental differences of how people opt to use Twitter.

For me, and the community I have built on Twitter, it’s about BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. Period.

+ It’s not about building relationships to promote yourself.

+ It’s not about building relationships as some rouse to advance your own agenda.

+ It’s not about building relationships to rack up follower numbers.

It’s about actually connecting with people, getting to know them, learning about their interests (and their business), and engaging in substantive exchanges. Any opportunities resulting from that have happened organically and are a by-product of building quality, TWO-WAY relationships.

The offenders who you are highlighting are those who are NOT interested in building relationships or cultivating an authentic community, or getting to know you individually. They are only interested in racking up followers for purposes of self-promotion, and you are only a number to them. This is evidenced by those who chronically follow/unfollow waiting for an auto return follow so they can pummel you with their pitch. Or those who follow thousands of people with 10 posts, all pointing to their website or promoting their product or service. And those who engage their followers simply as a vehicle to push their own message: ‘Hey, Sally, I completely agree. Have you seen my free ebook on…’

Often, the culprits are those stuck in the old sales paradigm and are easy to spot (read: avoid). Their bios typically read, ‘make your customers fall in love with you’ or ‘ask me how I can help you get a zillion new customers.’ And let’s not forget the get-rich-quick schemers who want to help you retire a millionaire with their MLM or Internet business. They know nothing of building real relationships, and are using Twitter as a one-way megaphone, clamoring the same trite cliches of old media, and devaluing the service in the process.

It’s a shame that these spammers keep infiltrating the network, duping people into following them and hindering quality sharing. Now we all have to be ‘on guard,’ continually pruning our contacts and ‘taking out the junk.’ Time that could be better spent nurturing relationships with those who actually want to learn and share with you.

Amber – Check out my new… Just kidding.

I am allows looking for insights on social networking

It’s a disappointed when someone is ‘following me’ only to promote their shit. (I wasn’t going to use shit, but it really helps convey emotion of being used).

Great post/read so I decided to add you to my follows on twitter see what I can learn.

Great post… now I do not have to write it! However I have a couple of points as my post may have taken a bit of a different turn.

I am fairly new to Twitter myself, and I have been following folks like @chrisbrogan and others who talk about following the folks who follow you.

I think how and who you follows depends on what it is you want to get out of Twitter. Do you just want to follow your buddies? Are you looking to grow your business? Are you wanting to grow your sphere of influence?

For me, I love to meet and learn about others and see what the daily conversation is… I like to listen. If you follow me, I will most likely follow you back… and if I follow you, I would appreciate the same because I am not a spammer, and for some reason, I found you interesting enough to follow.

Sure, there are a lot of people out there that just spam the heck out of twitter and have 1999 people they follow with 150 followers. My guess is those followers are people with auto responders and auto follows. In fact when I checked on a few of these people today, their accounts were suspended. Let Twitter do the dirty work!

I like to give folks on twitter the benefit of the doubt and hear what they have to say, but if the content they post is all about self promotion and no 2 way conversation, I may eventually unfollow.

With tools like TweetDeck where you can group the folks you want to keep track of, there is no reason not to give the folks who saw interest in you some twitter love back. You never know who may be the next @chrisbrogan, or just a great Tweep who shares some killer information that may provide you with an ah hah moment.

As far as the “click on my junk” I agree that it is inappropriate, and that a lot of these people on twitter need to understand that it is a huge turn off. While it may be a sign of tweets to come from this person, it may also be that they just do not know any better. Maybe we should, to help the change happen, send a nice note to said tweeter with a a link to a guide that it is not nice to blurt. (does such a guide exist?)

As for how I respond to all new followers personally… I always send a thanks for following message written by me. No auto responder, it is from me. If I see something interesting in their profile I will comment on it in my reply, and I always respond to them by name (if name is in profile or site).

The odd part to me is when I do send this personal message 1 in 10 actually responds back… they followed me first for heck sakes!

So in the end I agree that Twitter is about building relationships… so go out there and build them! (if that is what you want out of twitter)

- @IgoByDoc

My sentiments echo everybody else’s here, so that’s why my auto-dm says something like, “Thanks for the follow! This space intentionally left affiliate-link free.”

I had to comment too!

Of course I completely agree with you Amber, and I’m getting very frustrated by the tweeps that only include a URL in their bio as well. Or worse, nothing.

I need a little info and a tweet stream to know who these new followers are. If I have to click a url, then it’s going to take too much time to investigate. Recently I sent a reply to a follower, simply stating I need more information. Maybe they didn’t research the tweetiquette before beginning?

Enjoy your posts! Thanks for sharing!

I’m with you, Amber. In general, I hate even suspecting that I’m receiving an auto-tweet. I mean, the *point* of tweets is that they’re quick to compose, right? How long does it take to jot someone a line? *sigh*

Tim (@Twalk) Walkers last blog post..The root wisdom of marketing: people care about THEMSELVES.

This annoys me as well. Not just because it’s personally annoying but because it’s an important opportunity lost.

The prevailing attitude among many marketers is that the plaid jacket and loud tie are the only way to go. Your point is spot on, relationships happen over time, i.e., relationship equity is created by creating and sharing value over time. This is a fundamental of relationship marketing that social media can facilitate.

Your suggested 1st tweets are a perfect introduction to the relationship building process. Then, as value is contributed over time, you earn the right to incorporate a sales message. And they will see the sales message as relevant because they know who you are based on your tweets.

James Hipkins last blog post..Customer Relationship Marketing – 3 Keys to Success

Thank you SO MUCH for this blog post!! I delete at least 24 DMs a day from these kind of pseudo relationship builders…It’s so invasive and makes almost certain that I’ll never want to click on any link they tweet.

These marketers are desperately clinging to Olde Style Push Marketing…which is great for wine…doesn’t work with people who are gathered in a social app like Twitter to develop non-intrusive relationships with others.

Not much more to add…except that I really really hope some of the major culprits of this kind of terrible push tactic read this post and start to “get” Twitter.

@ghennipher

Ghenniphers last blog post..Family Social Media Network Sites Love Baby Boomers

Great post. I follow people who I find interesting, smart, engaging. At least, that’s my intent. When the evidence shows otherwise – ie, spammers etc – it’s always a bit disappointing. I’m fortunate I guess. While I’m relatively new to Twitter, most of my interactions have been with genuinely interesting, worthwhile people and things. That said, your post was spot-on!

I am always surprised by these types of direct message. I don’t get it.

Love your work, Amber.

And I think I will need to buy one of those shirts

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