Twitter for Blog Promotion - Shotgun approach?

[chardee42]

I'm new to using Twitter to market my blog.

As I've sat watching the tweets, I've noticed where some people run either the same or very similar tweet every 10 to 15 minutes. I'm sure they are using software to automate the process.

What do you guys think of this? Is it a good way to get hits?

[Melody]

Please don't do this! Twitter is a social media site. If you're not going to be a part of it, posting about what you're doing, engaging others, and then sometimes talking about your blog, then you'll only be seen as a spammer.

Please do not use twitter to be a spammer! And don't use auto-DMs either. They annoy people. Essentially you should follow back people that you find at least a little interesting (non-spammers), and engage and respond others. There is a guy at twitter "@unmarketing" who do a great job of tweeting twitter tips now and then. He's a good one to listen to.

If you don't follow people back, usually you won't get followers, unless you're already some sort of name as a celeb or possibly a micro-celeb! Most of us are not! I am @SbuxMel on twitter.

To use twitter right, takes a time investment on your part!

[Melody]

@Chardee42 - I just found you on twitter. You've got low engagement when you look at your profile. Also, you know you're using twitter the way it is meant to be when you see clues that your followers share common interests as you. A number of your followers look like automatic follow-backs - Also spam-like accounts.

[chardee42]

@Melody
"You've got low engagement when you look at your profile."

What does this mean?

Also, are you saying I'm connecting with the wrong people? I had zero followers and saw someone mention twitterfollower on this site so I signed up and over the course of a week went from 0 to almost 500. However, it appears that most of them are marketers.

[Melody]

Engagement has to do with how you're connected to your followers. Are they following you because they like what you have to say, and do you respond to each other back and forth. So I tweet about Starbucks. The percentage of my followers who like Starbucks is probably 90%. I genuinely enjoy getting to know my followers as real people who are just like me. Many of them are fans, and many work for Starbucks.

Going from zero to 500 followers in week is impressive if all you care about is numbers, but it tells me that you followed a lot of people, and people using auto-DM programs followed you back. These are not people who will really be interested in you, usually.

Use the reply button and start talking to people about shared interests. I have 1093 followers and I'd say it's been very slow. I've been on twitter about 9 months, and I don't follow everyone back, and some I follow because I'm very interested in them, though they won't follow me back. Click on you "@" replies button to see who is talking to you. If you're not getting "@" replies, that too is a sign of very low engagement.

[Melody]

I used the search button and saw the 1 person (15 hours ago) replied back to your tweets which are essentially spam. That person was @SiriusGeek - And it doesn't look like you've replied to him or her yet. That's a place to start engaging others. If you type in "sbuxmel" into the twitter search you can see I'm talking to people. And some of these people I've met in real life through twitter now! And these are coffeeheads! Love them!

[chardee42]

I got a ton of DMs over the course of this week. (I don't use one myself) Not to mention, it appears that a large portion of these people are more interested in marketing their products instead of listening to others.

I replied to SiriusGeek. Thanks for showing me how.

I have so much to learn. Hopefully, I haven't done too much damage this week by spamming people.

Do you use the web interface for Twitter? I am, but I've read its easier to manage with a PC client.

[chardee42]

I just went to @unmarketing's Twitter page. Very interesting. There appears to be a lot of 2-way communication between him and his followers.

Should I remove most of my connections and start over? Only a few of them are related to dogs.

[chardee42]

I went to his blog UnMarketing. It looks like it will be helpful.
He has an incredible number of Tweets. (So far I think I have around 24, so hopefully I haven't goofed up too bad. : )

[Brandon Sheley]

I would stay far away from anything automatic when it comes to twitter. Auto DM are 99.99% spam IMO
I'm following you, my profile is listed in my sig.
I would check out sites like Twitter Tips - TwiTip, Social Media News and Web Tips ? Mashable ? The Social Media Guide, ProBlogger.Community and read what they all say about twitter
That should be a good start.