BusinessBlogAngel

Sending Automated Direct Messages to New Followers in Twitter

I've just been reading a fascinating conversation over at TwiTip started by Brad Shorr of Word Sell, Inc about the practice of sending automated direct messages to new Twitter followers.

I DO send auto-DMs (using TweetLater), but if you read the comments there and view the results of the poll, you'll see that I'm very much in the minority; it seems most people really dislike it. I left a (rather long) comment to balance things out a bit. Here's an extract:

"Ricky Buchanan asks, “Have you EVER received an auto-DM which provided value to you as a consumer?” Well, no… but I’m not in Twitter to consume. I’m there to make new friends/partners, be helpful where I can and to learn and discover stuff.

Have I ever received an auto-DM which provided value to me? Absolutely! ... The best example being when I followed a guy in Australia. He’d caught my attention, I followed, and his subsequent auto-DM resulted in a couple of ‘learnings’, a potential JV partner and a blog post.

I guess with all things in life, you can’t please all the people all the time. And nor do I want to. I want to build relationships with people I like and respect. The feeling isn’t always going to be mutual and hooray for that - keeps the world interesting. :o)"

So - that's my view. But you should be aware that it will really upset some people, so if you are going to use TweetLater to send automated direct messages in Twitter, then spend a little time thinking about what your objective is and word it/them accordingly. I'd better go off and reword mine... [shuffles off]

Email delivery issues - hey ho!

UPDATE: OK - looks like the issues mentioned below are now sorted. BUT, please do re-send if you've emailed me at my business blog angel address in the last month or so. 

Quick post to let you know that despite everything looking fine at my end, people are reporting that emails sent to claire@ "businessblogangel.com" are being rejected. I knew this was an issue a few weeks back, but thought it was now fully resolved. I thought wrong!

I am on the case, but in the meantime, if you have emailed me within the last month or so, and not had a response, please can I ask you to resend it to hello@claireraikes.com. A bit of a pain I know, but the only way forward right now.

Thanks for your patience. :o)

Personally speaking... getting back in the blogging saddle (again!)

Regular readers will know that I can be erratic with my 'posting frequency'. It's usually because I'm so busy with other peoples' blogs, but sometimes its because I'm in a fug of some kind. It always passes - eventually - and I've learnt over my 3 4+ years providing business blogging help and advice that the best way to get back in the blogging saddle is to 'just do it'.

Having said that, I often feel the need to explain myself. This isn't an entirely self-indulgent or cathartic need, it's also because when I blog, I aim to address each and every reader as an individual or a friend - rather than a group - and so there's a sense of 'owing' you an explanation out of respect. So, here goes...

Since my last post I have been through some major upheavals. I've moved house, ended my relationship of 2 years and given up 'custody' of my gorgeous canine 'son' Tallis. Oh - and launched a new venture Universal Growth - a kind of alternative to Alternatives in Cardiff!

As Denis Campbell of @UKProgressive commented,

"Other than that Mrs. Kennedy how was your trip to Dallas?"