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  1. It’s really about getting your foot in the door (via getting noticed by a few key folk).

    Two types of “real” accounts spam:

    1. Those who’ve struggled to get their foot in the door, to no avail.
    2. Those who haven’t even tried the proper way.

    Both of these types are made up of 50% jerks and 50% the naive. I applaud you for initiating contact – hopefully that can help some of the latter half. Who knows? That naive spammer just might be onto the next, big thing.

    It goes hand-in-hand with forums. How many times do moderators need to remind newbies to run a search first? Too many times, mostly because the newbies simply don’t know any better.

  2. That was quick Pamela! you must have a 1000 words per minute reading speed and typing speed.

    You certainly got the forum moderation part right, didn’t think of it earlier. Guess we need more “moderators” on twitter to educate them the proper way of promoting their business.

    Indeed there are two type of real spams. The first would be the example on top, the second would be this http://twitter.com/#!/InternetRadio posting over 2 million tweets. LoL!

    Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.

    Aaron

  3. I must confess that what came to my mind after reading this is the way the article is exposing @Barbara1969 and @xydoapp even if the image was edited. One just have to go to the author’s Twitter account and the tweets are there. Hopefully this was done with their consent.

    As someone who knew about this from this article and the Tweeter accounts, it seems rather possible that it was done inadvertently. Even if it was not I’m not sure I’d sympathize with this kind of exposure/revenge… Well, at least it’s a personalized revenge! 🙂

  5. Love to have the ability like yours! I am rather slow at processing sometimes! yikes! thank you again for taking time to read and comment. Appreciate it.

  6. Hi,

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

    Sorry I have to black the names out, anyway, its possible that it was done inadvertently from the second twitter account you mention earlier. Anyway the party knew about it invite.

    This article has no means or purpose to revenge either parties. It’s a means to show that one shouldn’t do it and the proper way of going around it which is why I showed the example from @LeoWid.

  7. Hi Aaron,

    Since I still consider myself a newbie, I understand how this could happen, and I don’t think there was any malicious intent. I know (and you probably know too from all the questions I ask you!) it’s challenging to learn the proper way to use Twitter. It actually takes a lot of time and work.

    But this got me thinking, so I have a new question: What if this person’s tweet said something like “Hi Aaron, My co is looking for beta testers for a product that does XYZ. Know anyone who might be interested?” Of course, this would probably be a strange tweet to receive out of the blue, without any prior contact. Just wondering if this kind of tweet would be a big no-no too…

    -Marianne

  8. Hmm.. I look at that person’s stream. If it’s almost nothing but the exact same… “@name Hey this app, this beta was made for you” with a link messages to tons of people, I probably would consider it spam. Now if there are a lot of conversations, different discussions on the offers.. a link in the profile to a legit biz page, then maybe. IDK.. one person’s spam may be another’s ‘genuine offer’ but I’d always cautiously err on the side of a wary tweeter. FWIW.

  9. I loved Leo’s personal email and tweet story, Aaron. Why? It took work. Reading the blog, replying and engaging and taking the time to write something, explain how his offer is relevant to YOU. And then the personal tweet, not asking for a RT or anything.. just a friendly, social hello. I’m one of those who like the personal touch.. others may have success from automation and spambots, but it’s not for me. FWIW.

  12. Yes! that was why I love his email too like I mention earlier. Today Leo’s a good friend, he’s a great guy with great personalities and its funny how social networking sites helps to build a relationship. Leo is a great example to follow.

    Looks like we’re on the same no spambots team 🙂

  13. Yes, I would have to agree with Davina on this as well, that was why I check the twitter users account earlier to see if she only tweeted me or more people, found out that is was a mass invite from the business account. She didn’t know about it most probably. Best way is to personalize every message so that when someone like me or Davina checks, it would be different and genuine 🙂

  14. Woot! Thanks so much Aaron, really appreciate that!

    Also, want to note, I was once guilty of the number 1 spam thing mentioned here *shame on me*. Glad I learnt quickly and moved on to really focusing on the needs of others instead of my own!

    You rock buddy and you can bet that this goes into my Buffer – several times! 🙂

  15. Davina, thanks for the kind words, really glad you liked the approach.

    And it’s also worth noting that thankfully Aaron, even though is a Twitter Titan is still so accessible to these things – if they are done in the right way. Kudos for that! 🙂

  16. Wow! Looks like you already got your next post ready for ya! How you were able to learn quickly and do it the right way! “social media the right way” great post to share on buffer blog for sure.

    Didn’t know about that btw lol! but you certainly did everything right now! one reason why i like YOU muahaha 🙂

  17. Haha, cheers buddy! There you go, another post is under way, thanks for the inspiration!

    Yep, it’s really about changing the focus and swapping from the “me, me, me” to a YOU, just like you explained above. 🙂

  18. And the ‘right way’ will vary per tweeter and blogger, I get that. So I try to not always go right for the ‘unfollow’ button.. and take a closer look. But then if someone says ‘oh I love your blog’ and makes these kind of marketing moves, I know it’s a line b/c my blog is full of rants against these tactics.

  19. Once again, @askaaronlee is answering questions most don’t yet know to question. As I understand it, you are still a student Aaron, yet your advice is always among the most actionable, proactive and professional in the world of social media, marketing and overall relevance. Once you graduate and conquer the whole planet, please stay on the side of all things good. I don’t know how you are in so many places (across the social media I am active in) and still showing up for classes.

    My question of the day for @AskAaronLee Do you ever sleep?

  20. Thank you so much Billy for the continuous support. I try my best! 🙂
    Ohh! btw, who said I was ever showing up to classes? LoL!!! I skip a lot of classes!

    Cheers for the compliment, really helps to boost my ego.. uhh.. my confidence. Usually I just showcase what others are doing. Most of my tips are what I notice, just like the example from Leo and Bufferapp. It was Leo that taught me a great way to approach people. 🙂

    As for the last question! I am about to head to bed now! LoL!

  21. Billy, you put it so well, I couldn’t phrase it any better. Yep, I ask myself that many times too, has he found the secret to a life without sleep?

  23. Leo, the man with the moves 🙂

    Its all about those personal relationships, isn’t it? You have to make it personal, you have to make it good, otherwise, no one wants to be on the receiving end of the blunderbuss shotgun.

  25. Great info here and should be required reading for every business on Twitter. This is why I always say you shouldn’t use Twitter to market but to create a community of conversation around your brand. The marketing/selling will come second if it’s supposed to.

  30. Yes Brandon, selling first is defintely the wrong way to go around on twitter. I follow the CBS rule, connect, build and share and the sell will come.

  31. One of my favourite restaurants is one of my favourites because every time I walk in, they greet me as though I’m family. The owner will remember my name (and I don’t even go there very often) and the servers are considerate and personal.

    That’s what hit me with this post, Aaron; “What is great about his email was that it was personalized”. Yes, it does take more time and effort; it isn’t the ‘easy way’ but the payback is huge.

    You’re spot on! When someone takes the time and makes the effort to get to know even a little bit about you, it’s appreciated and rewarded.

    (You may think I’m crazy but when I bought my last car, I chose the dealership because the sales guy remembered that I hate blue cars 🙂 Getting personal can be a very good thing.)

    Thanks for this, Aaron.

  33. Hi Aaron,
    Hope you had a pleasant week my friend.It’s funny that you used Leo as an example because I think he’s doing a terrific job promoting Buffer in the proper way – that’s reason enough for me and others to try the tool.I’ve also noticed all the guest posts around the blogosphere that he’s been writing about his baby (Buffer lol) as well as his friendly interaction with people. But what I also noticed is that each one of his guest posts (and I’ve read at least 3 or more) is different. He didn’t simply copy/paste and regurgitate the same exact words he used elsewhere – he made the effort to change things up a bit and target both the title and the content to each respective blog and audience – and I think that’s commendable. Personalization is everything. Not only did he address the email to you and you alone – but it’s obvious (through his specific mention of your posts and other) that he even took the time to get to know you and your blog before sending it to you.Some people just don’t get it where as others do. That’s all. And then there are those folks who are maybe new to Twitter and have read all those BS social media “gurus and ninjas” and God knows what else who promise overnight success or other similar miracles with Twitter and Facebook. Being new to Twitter could just be the case of the lady (I think) who sent you the tweet. Seeing her replies to you, it’s obvious that she does interact and take the time to listen – a real spammer may have ignored you. So I do give her the benefit of the doubt in that maybe she didn’t know better – so I’m not sure if its malicious in any way rather than a simple lack of know-how or social marketing skills. It’s just about taking the time to learn and seeing how others are doing it appropriately. But again – there is some common sense to sending folks your stuff to check out and in general promotion – and again… it’s called personalization, politeness and respect – whether through Twitter or other.Anyhow – both of these are great representations of the right and wrong. And Kudos for using @twitter-110821538:disqus as an example. Although I have been seeing him around, and have connected with him a couple times on Twitter in the past, I have yet to get to know him – and this right here – is an incentive to do so – both him and Buffer. Nicely done Petronas 😉 – as usual!Have a good weekend.Cheers

  35. Thank you so much for dropping by and sharing your wonderful experience with us, I actually wanted to cover about personalizing experience on one of my future post, I guess you just gave me more context for my article, thank you so much.

    What an experience, especially on the one buying the car, bet he is wonderful and friendly face to face to, would love to meet him if he was on social networking sites LoL. I guess everything in the future is personalized. Hopefully business catches onto this soon

  36. Oh my dear Ingrid, if I knew you were going to comment I would have taken a quick nap first so that I can concentrate on writing a wonderful comment for you back. Like Mark mention, you comment does stand out, because its long and thoughtful and you take the time to write it. I agree with @twitter-110821538:disqus blog post, he does extremely well putting his baby buffer in a lot of blog post and yes they are not the same.

    One thing I notice is leon branches the idea out a lot and seeing how buffer can fit into those topic, although I wished leon did the same for social media examiner too. (i know you’re reading this Leon) lol! I guess it might seem too self promoting if he did, but his app kicks ass! 🙂

    I agree that its about taking the time to learn and seeing how others are doing it appropriately however we shouldn’t forget the values and how we connect offline too, social media or social networking sites is no different like connecting with people at conferences, we connect with them, we get to know them, exchange business card. The ROI? Who knows what the friendship might bring us in the future. That is what I think and that is what i think most people forget about like you mention they thought its a overnight success thing LoL!

    How I wished I can kick BS social media “gurus and ninjas” asses or smack them for teaching and charging so much to tweet people how to tweet. yikes! Perhaps one day bufferapp can have a huge conference and invite us there! Ingrid you should be there to teach people how to build a presence too btw because you have an amazing presence

  37. LMAO! Seriously Aaron – I can’t stop laughing at the idea of you taking a nap first lol ;).

    But it seems you didn’t need it after all – because that is a kick-ass reply my friend!
    You made some excellent points here – it’s not brain surgery – online connections are made in the same way that the offline ones are.

    Agree
    Agree
    Agree
    and Thank you 🙂

  38. When somebody tweets a link directly at me,the 1st thing I do is to pull up their page, if I see that same msg has been blasted at a ton of other people, I block and report for spam.

    I far prefer the approaches you’ve mentioned here Aaron, nothing delights me more than to check out a site,service or product than a PR rep inroducing me to it in a personalized manner!

  39. Wow, Ingrid, I think you could even make this into another blogpost!

    First off, thanks so much for your kind words, I really take it as a big encouragement that you believe my efforts are putting me on the right track.

    You point out something very important I believe by saying that quite a few people are still fooled into “overnight” success, yet it just sounds so cool doesn’t it?

    Yet, once you get onto the twitter bandwagon everyone will realise that the real fun only comes when you are actually part of the conversation!

    Yep, absolutely, it is all about learning and the same politeness and respect applies online as it does offline!

    This is an amazing comment Ingrid and I am looking forward to connecting more with you from now on! 🙂

    Best,
    Leo

  40. Haha, yep, you bet I am reading all your awesome comments buddy! 🙂

    You are very right Aaron, I think Buffer fits the topics I am writing about very well and I hope other authors on the SME blog and at other places might mention it thereafter. Just like you say, myself doing it could easily come across as a little too self-promotional.

    Well said, the ROI, even though in many cases important isn’t always measurable. And I believe simply having great friends like you or like you and Ingrid and hopefully soon like me and Ingrid is a success right there.

    Wow, that’s an amazing idea! I would love to start a conference and invite you guys, this could be amazing! 🙂

    Anyways, thanks for a great discussion both @askaaronlee:disqus and @Griddy:disqus , frankly you have made my day with this!

    Speak to you both soon 🙂

  41. Hi Aaron, you are so cool! Like many of us now we have switched to Yes 4G network for mobility of Internet. Noticed you have connection problems. Get one of their budget data packs on offer and fly with it. Continue to rule!
    Rockey

  42. I saw this on griddy’s round up Aaron and love the topic.

    I also don’t like when I follow someone back and I get via Direct Message:

    1] A sales pitch

    or

    2] Ask for me to Fan on Facebook.

  44. Hi Howie,

    I get what you mean, its actually spreading to facebook now, i got a message there thanking me for being his friend and he said “aaron, can you like my facebook page?”

  45. Hi, Aaron.

    When I first became a ‘twitter citizen’, I was reported to @spam via a tweet, by a fellow tweep that am still following to this day, (great individual).

    At the time, I was not aware of how I was spamming this individual, and my replies to both the user and @spam were the same: “Am sorry have no idea what is happening and what is causing the spam!!!”

    To my luck, @spam were extremely helpful and I was able to solve the problem, (just had to remove a certain application).

    Now, at the time, being new on twitter, I was almost in tears!!! This was seen by many and I felt like a little fish surrounded by many whales;) But I must state, those watching were extremely kind and understanding.

    That’s when I made a rule with me, myself and I to never publicly accuse anyone of ‘spam’, whether they are actually spamming or not!

    A simple DM does wonders!!!

    I was recently asked by a young man if I am ‘spam’, simply because I was sharing too many links on twitter.

    Now, I have every right to share what am reading and I will not welcome any arguments about it.

    Not only did I put him in place but my next move was to unfollow him from all my pages.

    And in regards to sharing a blog link. I too, yes guilty, have thought about tweeting you my link, just so you can give me your honest opinion. Am a Social Media fanatic and looooooove designing sites/blogs.

    Well, what am trying to say is, it’s hard to come to a conclusion on spamming and am sad to say, but I just thing the ‘war on spam’ has been taken a little too far.

    BTW, since this is my first comment on your blog, after many visits, allow me to thank you for incredible content… whether I agree with it or not;)

    Thanks for listening!!!!

  46. I’ve got a question about what I think is spam but maybe it’s not. Aaron or someone will let me know, I hope. Someone posts a link with some kind of blurb such as ‘Best Waffle Recipes’ to his timeline with the link leading to HIS site where you find another link to the ‘Best Waffle Recipes’ site. In other words you have to go to the poster’s site BEFORE you can get to the recipe site. To me, that’s spam. Everyone I know posts links to their own info site or to other info (or cool) sites that they’ve found. I hope this makes sense. What is the consensus? Spam or not?

  47. @_BrianMahoney Hi Brian,

    That is definitely 100% spam to me. I kinda hate people sharing links like those, only to get traffic and possibly earned cash through adsense. He should link it to the site straight away. not to his site and you need to click to get to the real link.

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