Archive for twitter
A new spin on Automated Direct Messages on Twitter
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve written a few times about automated direct messages on Twitter (Should You Send an Automated DM to New Twitter Followers? and Using Twitter: Another Look at Sending Automated Direct Messages)
An automated DM in Twitter is when you use software to automatically send a direct message to new followers. I was (and still am) against them because everyone knows they’re automated and are often annoying to the receiver. They do nothing to help the receiver get to know, like and trust you better. Getting people to know, like and trust you is your main purpose with marketing.
However, I recently received this automated DM and this is the exception to my no auto-DM rule. Why? Because it made me laugh – which is clearly the goal. It is poking fun at how most people craft these types of messages and instantly made me like the sender a little more. Therefore, it did the job.
What do you think? Leave a comment please.
Andrea J. Stenberg
How to Look Bad in Twitter
Posted by: | CommentsRecently I noticed a wine expert had started following me on Twitter. Since I a) like wine and b) like to follow new people, I followed him back.
I then wrote him a DM (that’s
direct message – which is private on Twitter) asking him what his favourite Canadian wine is. At about the same time I received what is obviously an automated DM from him, thanking me for following and asking me to click a link and leave a comment about a wine I recently tried.
That was a week ago. There has STILL been no response to my message, which wasn’t automated. And his automated DM is still sitting at the top of my DM inbox, reminding me that he hasn’t bothered to answer my real message.
Remember, using Twitter (or any other social media tool) is about building relationships. It’s about giving people a chance to get to know, like and trust you enough that they want to deepen the relationship by visiting your website, having a conversation or visiting your store. By sending me an automated DM and at the same time ignoring my message to him, he missed a chance to let me get to know him better. And forget about like & trust.
You probably know that I’m against automated DMs (if not, please read this article http://ow.ly/4ujEb). However, if you are going to ignore my advice and send them anyway, please, please, PLEASE have the courtesy to read your own DM inbox and reply to anyone who sends you a message. If not, you’ll end up looking like a jerk.
Andrea J. Stenberg
Follow me on Twitter and if you send me a message, I promise to reply. And the reply will be from me, not a bot, not an assistant, not even my kid, but me.
And if you haven’t done so yet, please check out the free internet marketing ebook I co-wrote with @sos4business. Internet Marketing 101: Discover Three Simple Things You Can Do Now to Grow Your Business Online will help you jump start your online marketing. Get the free ebook at http://29daystogrowingabusiness.com
3 Tips to Get the Most From Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
Posted by: | CommentsHere is a second radio interview I did on Yvonne McCoy’s show SOS 4 Your Business. Yvonne asked me how small business owners can get value from using Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter as marketing tools.
Enjoy,
Andrea J. Stenberg
Three Myths Business Owners Have About Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
Posted by: | CommentsIn January I was a guest on Yvonne McCoy’s radio show: SOS 4 Your Business. During the interview I answered Yvonne’s questions about the myths small business owners have about using Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. You can listen from here or go to Blog Talk Radio to listen.
After you listen, please leave a comment and tell me what you think.
Andrea J. Stenberg
Boomers are not one-size-fits-all
Posted by: | CommentsThe Blogging Boomers Carnival
One of my biggest pet peeves is how when talking about baby boomers most people (particularly the media) focus on retirement. And yet the baby boomer generation covers a much larger demographic. At a conference last week, one of the speakers pointed out that George Clooney and Brad Pitt are baby boomers!
The younger segment of boomers are in their 40s and 50s. Many will be working for another 15 years or longer. And yes, we are all wondering about paying for retirement.
But some of us are also paying for children’s university. Some of us are paying our own tuition as we return to school ourselves. Others are running businesses, striving for promotions and enjoying the success we’ve achieved so far while striving for yet more.
That is why I love being part of the Blogging Boomers Carnival. We represent a wide swath of the baby boomer generation. The diversity of our blogs and the topics we cover shows you can’t pigeon-hole boomers. There is no “typical” boomer. And we like it that way.
Here’s a sampling of the diversity of what the Blogging Boomers Carnival has to offer. Please visit these sites, read the articles and if you are so moved, join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Going to a networking event? What do you wear to look business-like but still fashionable? Get some suggestions from The Glam Gals at Fabulous after 40!
SoBabyBoomer tells us that procedural mistakes in the handling of mortgage documents have clouded titles establishing ownership of the homes, a problem that could plague both buyers and sellers for years. The key question is: Do you know who holds the title to your house?
How do you work with your own intuition? It can be an essential tool, especially when you’re going through some tough life changes!
DIY bacon? Why not? It’s easy and it’s just one of the many easy to make food items the Accidental Locavore will show you how to make “out of the box”.
Over at Contemporary Retirement, Ann has a 2 minute video that could heal your heart.
LifeTwo.com discusses the Psychology Today article that declares ”Many middle-aged men go through midlife crisis, but it’s not because they are middle-aged but because their wives are.”
The Boomer Chronicles asks, “What’s waiting for you at home tonight?”
And finally, Twitter is an amazing tool for connecting with people and sharing information. And it’s one of the easier social networking tools to automate but should you? I take another look at the automated direct message in Twitter and discuss whether or not you should do it.
Enjoy!
Andrea J. Stenberg
