Rage Against the Tweet Adder

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Okay, I get it. People want followers. Tweeters/Twatters/Twitterers, whatever you call yourself if you’re on Twitter, and most want to feel they’re being heard. Some may find comfort in the amount of followers they have (why?). I’ll be honest; part of my job on the social media front of my business is to gain fans and followers for some of my clients. I understand why people decide to utilize programs for Twitter management, especially when you manage multiple accounts AND those accounts are not in your area. A popular application for this is Tweet Adder. There are others, but this is the one I use when I need to. (NOTE: For those of you who are like, “what the heck is Tweet Adder?” It’s a downloadable program that can allow a keyword search of all twitter profiles, make a list of those people, and you can automatically start following them. It allows you to schedule tweets and so on.)

I don’t take issue with that per se. What I find irritating as all hell, is when I notice someone major follow me, let’s say the band, Sevendust, only to get an “unfollow” message exactly three days later because I have yet to join their bandwagon…not because I don’t want to get their tweets, but rather because I had a busy weekend. I didn’t get the chance to follow them back right away.

You see, programs like Tweet Adder allow for a “deadline.” So, you can follow say, 100 people for a particular subject or even a chosen location. If the people that Tweet Adder automatically followed have not followed you back within three or four days, it automatically unfollows you.

Here’s where the problem is: I don’t believe it was Sevendust who unfollowed me. That’d be silly of them because a) I’m a fan, b) I’m in a damn good band myself (Neon Love Life), and c) I’ve been known to promote the crap out of the music I love and have turned people into fans, period.  So, no, it was most likely their stupid tweet adder or whoever is managing their social media.  I’m not going to sit here and say that’s not the way to do it. What I will say is that’s not the way I do it…for my band, my clients, or me. For me, it kind of crushes the entire point of interaction. And you could have a million followers, what does that mean really?

The music industry has reason to use these types of tools.  They also have reason to have people outside of the musicians themselves to help with social media marketing, especially if they’re unfamiliar. But don’t give a window. And don’t automate your direct messages. It’s so obvious. When I get that, and especially if there is some kind of link to their website in it, I personally take action…whether it’s to keep them or delete them. It’s usually the latter.

I’m all for technology that make things easier, but people who use automatic tools to facilitate quid pro quo make me want to throw things. Do you think tools should be used in this fashion… in the social media world? I don’t. You know, I’m a one-girl show. I respond to my client’s followers and fans and they are also involved in the response. Relationships facilitate growth in all other areas. I’m a firm believer in this. There is no “auto-unfollowing” of people added through this type of tool by me on behalf of my clients. I don’t think it’s acceptable. I don’t care if you’re the biggest rock star ever. Respond. (And BTW, Chevelle, I hope you’re getting this message too.) This social media stuff is work. If you decide to get into it, prepare for it or hire someone who is.

Message of the day: Pay attention.

PS, I love both Sevendust and Chevelle. You guys let me know when you would like my help.  My Twitter handle is @Lindsaymanfredi.