Marketing Your Blog with Twitter
12. Jan, 2010 
15 Comments
The following are the do’s and don’ts of marketing your blog on Twitter, well actually it’s just the don’ts. This list can go on and on with all kinds of things not to do – don’t push or sell to hard, don’t promote to the wrong followers, don’t promote links that stray from your normal topic and so on – however, I am going to stick to three simple yet encompassing points.
1. Don’t Spam with an Auto-message!
Don’t do it. I’ll say that again, don’t freaking do it! You have an option to set an auto-message to new followers with sites like SocialOomph (formerly Tweetlater). It’s the easiest way to send the wrong first impression and kill a new relationship before it even starts.
Never ask a follower to do anything. You should never tell them they should check out your site/opportunity/blog. This is just stupid and it screams, “I’m a newbie”. You can send links, but make them fun and interactive. The purpose of an auto-message to new followers is to introduce yourself, to say hello.
An example of my auto message is: Hi thanks for the follow! Give me a second to say hi in person via video! I promise it’s not spam!-http://bit.ly/cTRT5
2. Use a Picture of Yourself!
Too many people make the fatal mistake of uploading a picture of their company logo, a business orientated person off the internet or a money sign. This is not only stupid, but it hurts your image. Social networking is like a party, a social gathering. And in the same way you come off as a jerk-off when you start pitching your business to someone you’ve just met, you will send those same negative vibes when you don’t even put a picture of yourself up.
Twitter is all about first impressions, within seconds of following you a person will make up in their mind what they can expect to get from you. If you have a stupid company logo thinking this will enhance your chances of selling your opportunity, you might as well just delete your account.
3. Don’t Just send Links!
Sending links to your blog and articles is necessary and a good thing to do. But if all you do is send links then you’re killing yourself. I send links to my blog all the time, however only about 1 in 10 tweets actually contain links. Most of my Tweets are interacting with my followers, replying to others and sending personal updates.
If you just send links, or continually send Tweets lacking in value and full of spam then people learn to associate your Avatar with Spam. Soon people begin to completely ignore you Tweets all together and may even stop following you (or ever block you).
Remember Social Networking is about being Social
I say this all the time but this should be ingrained in your head every time you log on. Be personal, friendly, social and proactive.
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The point about first impressions can’t be over-emphasised, and getting it wrong will likely preclude one from developing meaningful, long-term relationships. Twitter, like fire, can be a powerful and useful tool if used correctly.
Well said Greg, I mean if I had spammed you a business opportunity when I first met you would we even be talking today? Luckily we hit it off pretty good from the start! Thanks for your continued support buddy.
Nate, I wish everyone signing up for a twitter account was required to watch your video. You are so right about all the spam. You are also right about twitter opening up amazing opportunities, if you learn how to be a real person, on twitter.
Thanks for creating great content to share with others.
Dee, spot on man! The twittersphere would be a lot less spam filled and fun if everyone were required to watch this
some people just don’t understand that we live in a Web 2.0 world now and traditional business pitches are not welcome on social media.
I haven’t had much luck marketing on Twitter so far. I have great interaction with many of my followers, but it seems most people are on there to socialize or promote their own business and just don’t click through. I have had very few Twitter referrals. It kind of puzzles me because the first thing I do when a new person follows me is visit their site to see what they’re about, and I often click on posted links as well. I actually love it when people tweet their latest blog posts (unless they spam, of course).
Jennifer´s last blog ..Giveaway: One-year magazine subscription!
Jennifer, thank you for the feedback – it sounds to me as if you should pinpoint who you follow on Twitter – do you use SocialOomph, Tweetlater, SearchTwitter or Twollo? If none of these ring a bell then you better Google them and refine your following efforts!
Thanks for the help, Nate. I am relatively new to Twitter (and blogging in general), so I hadn’t heard of those. I think part of my problem is that many of my followers are also “competitors” rather than potential readers. I will get to work on finding more followers.
hey competitors are the best readers! they often times become great blogging partners. Don’t get discouraged just stay persistent and try out those sites! Also, if you need any help with those sites, just search them in my search bar as I have “how to” posts on all of them
Hey Nate, great post all together. A lot of these methods are some of the best i’ve seen. I have a Perry Belcher twitter training course and he teaches some of the same basics.
Matt´s last blog ..How To Start A Blog in No Time Flat. Part 1
Thanks for the comment Matt, and hey I love Perry Belcher’s take on Social media in general, his ideas are what inspired me with my strategies and videos. He may be controversial in many ways but he is still a genius when it comes to social media.
Great tips, Nate. I would also love to add one tip, don’t spam @replies with affiliate links
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Shirley´s last blog ..How Not To Lose Your Credibility And Image Through Crappy E-books
Good call Shirley – also thanks for the friend request on FaceBook
You should of titled this post,
“How Not to Market Your Blog on Twitter”
Oh and Thanks for helping me
with the plugin name
haha yea that’s why I said this is more about what not to do when marketing on Twitter
and sure no problem man I love to help out!