vbright's dashboard

KA replied on November 18, 2008 08:34 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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.

Lee replied on November 14, 2008 21:59 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

Thanks for the heads-up of course your correct, lesson learned, more haste less speed...

Best wishes
Lee

XP replied on November 14, 2008 20:28 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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.

Reputationist replied on November 13, 2008 10:59 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

I strongly agree - I get annoyed overall by the drum beat of self dealing that social media seems all to much about.

Robert Nelson replied on November 08, 2008 20:59 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

Good Point

Rechargelife replied on November 08, 2008 12:45 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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

RonDavies replied on November 04, 2008 00:32 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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

clinta replied on November 04, 2008 00:16 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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

RonDavies replied on November 04, 2008 00:00 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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

Rick Itzkowich replied on November 03, 2008 23:43 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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

clinta replied on November 03, 2008 23:21 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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

DaveGuindon replied on November 03, 2008 22:15 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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

ldsmedia replied on November 01, 2008 15:38 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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.

Dewald Pretorius replied on November 01, 2008 14:47 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

W4W Toronto, what exactly can you buy here from me?

W4W Toronto replied on November 01, 2008 14:41 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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.

tascer replied on October 31, 2008 04:11 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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

Dawn Peterman replied on October 31, 2008 03:36 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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.

barcelonaphotos replied on October 27, 2008 16:39 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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.

Tico replied on October 25, 2008 02:19 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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.

keithstieneke replied on October 19, 2008 04:45 to the idea "Best Practice for Twitter Auto Thank You Notes to New Followers" in TweetLater:

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.