Automatic for the Tweeple? Should you automate on Twitter?
Automatic for the Tweeple? The dos and don’ts of automation on Twitter, from auto following to scheduling tweets is something hotly debated and we thought it worth sharing our take on the issue.
I often use the pun on REM’s superb album Automatic for the People to trigger a discussion of automation and social media, especially Twitter. Keeping the theme suggest that the sleep driven dream state that creates R.E.M (or Rapid Eye Movement) is what sloppy automation will create among your dwindling followers.
Actually special mention should go to the lightening quip made by Berkshire photographer Lee Tuckett (@Lee2499 on Twitter), who added ‘...and then Everybody Hurts’, when I last delivered this message during a recent workshop. Superb!
Anyway, we digress! Essentially there are two areas when automation sparks healthy debate on Twitter and that is whether or not you should auto follow and also the use of automated tweets.
On our main Twitter feeds: @nigel_morgan, @MorganPR and @DailyPRTips we use the auto follow function offered by SocialOomph to ensure we send a welcome direct message to new followers as we follow them back.
Now, do avoid any sales speak on your auto follow reply and don't ever include a hyperlink as this makes it look like spam; I never click on these and often block those who do - and report them as spam to Twitter. In the direct message our auto follow creates we always aim to be friendly and asking a question often triggers a conversation with a new follower, part of what makes Twitter so much fun!
Regularly weeding through your newest followers to block and report spammers, multi-level marketers and pornographers will help maintain the quality of your followers. Of course you could try this in reverse and choose which of your new followers you follow back, but this is much more time consuming and time is precious on social media!
We see auto following on Twitter much like replying ‘hello’ to someone who greets you when out networking. A conversation follows and if you get on well with the person then all sorts of exciting things can happen – and the same is true on Twitter.
Much as the content of your auto follow direct message is key to the success of using this approach, it is also vital that an automation of any of your tweets also respects the conventions of Twitter of adding value, rather relentlessly and shamelessly promoting you or your business. Be sufficiently social and your promotional tweets will be accepted and getting the mix right is vital to your success.
We use automation to schedule and send out tweets about our favourite folk on twitter, interesting and useful links and sometimes even links to this blog too. Scheduling retweets is a clever way to make your automation seem like genuine tweeting – but you still need to service your accounts personally.
Whatever level of automation you use, never forget the personal touch. You will still need to reply to people, should thank those who Retweets you and of course Retweet material yourself. Throw in some current and live tweets and you will soon be recognised as someone who can add value and will build your audience accordingly.
If you would like help maximising the return on your investment in social media that is something we help businesses with every day. Contact Morgan PR now!
What do you think? Do you use automation? Are you against it? Share your thoughts below.