I received an email today that said I’m a “Twitter snob”. The reasoning behind it was that my follow-to-follower ratio was skewed – I had more followers than people I follow.
Therefore, I wasn’t using Twitter correctly; instead of following everyone back that followed me (which I should be doing, according to the email), I was obviously a snob that only followed the “elite” and I should “re-evaluate my Twitter use”.
The email ended by saying I shouldn’t advise on social media because I’m breaking a cardinal sin – which is, connect with everyone or don’t connect at all.
Okay….
So, I sat down and thought about it. Am I a Twitter snob? Should I follow everyone who follows me? Maybe. Maybe not. If snobbery is down to reciprocal numbers then, yes, I am a Twitter snob. But (and excuse my cussing), to me numbers on Twitter mean f**k all.
You can have 100,000 followers. But are they all live? Are they all human? Or are they a mix of humans, live accounts, dead accounts, spammers and bots? If they’re not all actual people that are active and engaging, then they don’t count. Unless you’re after false numbers, of course, to make you feel more important than you are. And there’s plenty of that going around…
So, fair enough. I have a skewed ratio. Which makes me a snob. But here’s the thing.
I’d rather be a snob with a skewed and (mostly) accurate ratio, than someone pretending to be something they’re not. Which, after all, is the real snobbery. No?
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I’m a Twitter Snob? Maybe http://ow.ly/15Uc1k
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I did enjoy the post and would have twittered if you had chosen not to use the “f” word as I won't twitter an article with that. That said, I think it was a very good article. I follow who I am interested in and who ever wants to can follow me. I don't tend to like rules anyways…
Well, then I guess I'm a snob, too. But I'd reverse it and say the people who follow everyone are Twitter fakes. Cause, guess what, you can't connect with a 1000 people, let alone 10,000. Just following someone back doesn't mean that you have a connection with them.
I don't expect people to follow me just because I follow them. I expect to give them a reason to follow me. Earn it. And I follow people because I've seen them tweet something, or better yet, several somethings of use or interest to me.
I think it all depends upon your goals with Twitter. I'm a working mother of four children. I honestly don't have time to chat all day with people I meet online. Wish I did! But some people, like my father, are on Twitter to socialize (as well as learn) and really do chat with many, many of their followers.
Easy to judge by not considering others' perspectives, goals, and so on. I don't think you're a snob, Danny. And I don't even know or care whether you're following me!
Twitter: ikepigott
Danny, you're no snob.
Real snobbery comes from those who dare believe they are the Etiquette Prosecution.
I remember a Ragan op-ed a few months back, written by a guy who – in his four months on the service – had Twitter ALL FIGURED OUT.
Limits on tweets, how often, what you can say, how often you reply.
What he was really doing was telling the rest of the world how they needed to “behave” so as to maximize HIS benefit. Kinda like if Tim Ferriss wrote a book telling everyone else they had to work mandatory 90-hour weeks so he could relax by comparison.
The would-be rulemakers are interesting to observe, because they reveal quite a bit about themselves, their core values, and their weaknesses in the process.
Great point, Neicole – you shouldn't dismiss others objectives at all (and so cool your father is on Twitter!).
Yes, it does come down to why you're on there and what you want out of it – and that can't be judged by pure numbers.
And I am following you for the exact reasons you've shared here – interests and reasons, of which you offer many. Cheers!
That's a really interesting observation, Ike (and thanks for sharing the Ragan example – I'm guessing he's no longer there?).
So would your view be that much of it is down to either jealousy (not implied in your comment), or trying to make you more of an expert than you are? Go with the “it's a new platform, I'll guide you either right or wrong as you won't know the difference”?
I’m a Twitter Snob? Maybe http://bit.ly/97mxY . . .you must try harder
cc @dannybrown
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Im a Twitter snob too! RT @imrogb: I’m a Twitter Snob? Maybe http://bit.ly/97mxY . . .you must try harder
cc @dannybrown
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RT @imrogb I?m a Twitter Snob? Maybe http://bit.ly/97mxY . . .you must try harder
cc @dannybrown
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Hi Danny! This is a great and kind of fun question. I would say…
If we have enough of an in person or phone relationship to where I need to DM you and have to publicly ask you to follow me to be able to tweet privately, you might be a twitter snob.
If you expect others to receive tweets all the time, ie on their cell, you might be a twitter snob. We're not all on PDAs with apps, and auto dms texted to my phone drives me nuts! If I'm available to talk, I'm probably on my computer anyway.
If you actually notice other people's numbers to tell them they need to follow more people, or less people, or be more reciprocal instead of doing what works for them, you might be a twitter snob.
If you expect that every person be determined to personally connect and converse with every follower/followee, you might be a twitter snob.
But snobbery on twitter, much like real life, is about condescension. If I @ you on twitter and you don't even @ back, you are most likely a twitter snob.
I definitely agree with him! Following everyone is pointless and sometime annoying. RT @imrogb I’m a Twitter Snob? Maybe http://bit.ly/97mxY
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RE: @DannyBrown What a load of shite. Who ever wrote that email needs to "re-evaluate THEIR Twitter use" as well as th… http://disq.us/18jbb
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Ok, I admit it. I have been wrestling with this question for a long time. I pretty much follow everyone who follows me. I only rarely watch the twitter stream. I Pay closer attention to the people who mention me and direct attention to direct messages.
I do want to hear and observe what people who have connected with me are doing. As long as they don't Direct message me a sales pitch before they have even talked to me or gotten to know me ( I Drop those like a hot potato) Ill follow.
It amazes me the number of push /old style mass marketers there are on twitter. Couple that with the MLM people and those who claim to be experts in social media and you have a pretty large group that dont add much value other than having the chance to observe. Some of them are good people. Some of their efforts probably bear fruit.
We are in a transition. New products and technologies are being launched at an accelerating pace. In an effort to keep up and make sense of it, Traditional companies treat social media as new channels. ( REF CNN) It is easier to apply old knowledge to new systems. Society will catch up and Learn how to use these cool new connection tools. The other day I watched the Nobelprize.org site and learned of the news the moment CNN did. HOW COOl is THAT?
When the majority or at least the critical mass learns and new connection systems are developed, the people who Broadcast old school sales pitches will be tuned out just like we tune them out in our email inbox, or caller Id or TIVO.
Until then, follow them, or dont follow them. But, either way, I dont think you can put a value jusdgement on a strategy in social media, until some things prove out.l
One last note on the VERY long comment: It is not just the marketers that treat Social media like traditional media. A lot of the public still does too. Hence the Million plus follower to Ashton Kutcher and CNN. As more and more people produce and consume social media content, I think that trend will fade. In the meantime, When CNN follows me and values my opinion, Ill follow them back.
(Or MAYBE I'M COMPLETELY WRONG LOL)
I’m a Twitter Snob? Maybe | danny brown http://bit.ly/2MimgL If Danny is a twitter snob, that makes me one too. Excellent points
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RE: @DannyBrown Right on, Danny! Twitter is all about freedom. There is no one in charge of Twitterquette. Why on eart… http://disq.us/18nth
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Twitter: johnhaydon
If you're a Twitter snob, then I'm a Twitter ho, Danny. And I would gladly go to hell together with you.
I follow everyone because I give everyone the benefit of the doubt and I want to be able to have two-way direct messaging ability with folks. That said, I regularly unfollow or block spammers / bots.
You do your vetting up front, I do mine after the connection. But we're both doing it right.
To call you a snob because you don't follow everyone is like saying I'm not authentic because I auto-follow everyone. Both are ridiculous a leaps in judgment.
Hey Danny,
This is funny to me. For people who “get” Twitter then the number one thing that they should realize is that noone can tell anyone else how it should be used. So as far as I am concerned, whoever sent you that email should be totally disregarded on that basis. When I “advise” about Twitter I always say that you can take what I say and totally ignore it. After all, who am I to say how it should be used? Who is anyone to say? How I use it is how I think it should be used and that works for me.
As far as following everyone back I think that is silly as well. Why should I follow a “bot”? Why should I make myself listen to someone who is having a one-way conversation? My yellow teeth are find just like they are and I don't want to be part of your mafia thank you.
And who are the “elite” on Twitter? As far as I am concerned, they are the people in my Tweetdeck “A” group (you are there by the way) whose tweets I care about. In my mind @poulingail is an elite because she has her kindergarten class comment on one of our stories every day. Would she be considered an elite by others? Not sure but that has no bearing on anything. So I laugh at the “authority” who sent you the email in the first place.
-Gabe
Is @DannyBrown a Twitter snob? Seriously people? Are we in high school again? http://bit.ly/iXc1I #insecuretweeps
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When I first started Twitter, I followed everyone back. Then I started reading tweets and profiles and determining who I wanted to follow. And then I got very busy and I rarely was on Twitter and it just happened, people followed or unfollowed. Now, I follow if I see something interesting in the flow and I would like to know more about the person even if they are not following me. And I follow people who follow me when it seems like they are real and have value to me or perhaps I know them from someplace else. The bots, spammers, and crowds have made it harder to have conversations.
I'm the same in real life, when I connect with people, it is because we found common ground and I hope we can share something and perhaps make each other's lives better.
Danny, I have never seen you as a snob. I've been amazed every time you have talked back to me and I appreciate it!
Twitter: justinparks
What a load of shite. Who ever wrote that email needs to “re-evaluate THEIR Twitter use” as well as their approach to making contact with people. If that's their technique then they can just slide right on and get lost. Its “social media” not “machine media” and not “”auto media”…
The comments here do mention the different ways people have and do use twitter so I have no need to regurgitate those points whether I agree with them or not, because just like them I use twitter my way, just like everyone else.
No one has the right to dictate who you follow or should expect follows back simply for clicking a button in the first place, anyone with any sense can realise that after they use it for a few months and understand exactly what the whole “system” on twitter is.
What this email fails to realise is that even the (demand?) to be followed back is useless as an old (Jesus, something is old on twitter already) technique was to auto follow back then a few days or weeks later unfollow that person creating a massive amount of followers and a low amount of following for the host account, giving the impression of celebrity, so whats better, and for who, to auto follow back or become a number in someone else's list who will never ever have any time for you?
Your fine Danny, bin that email or print it out and stick it on your wall as a reminder that not everyone knows everything.
As almost everybody else who has commented here, I firmly believe that the only “rule” is that there are no rules. You do what you feel is best, and then deal with the consequences. If you had a 1:1 follow ratio, you'd still be getting those emails – they'd just be from other people.
Right on, Danny! Twitter is all about freedom. There is no one in charge of Twitterquette. Why on earth should you have to follow people you don't want to, for whatever reason? I basically only follow back people who engage and carry on two-sided conversations. That's what works for me. People should do whatever works for them!
Twitter: umcle
Danny, thanks for thoughtful, spot-on post. Ensuing conversation also resonates. While I appreciate all of the work and diligence that goes into attaining “expert” social media status (self-proclaimed or otherwise), there is no such thing. This exciting medium is ever evolving and sometimes at warp speed. if we all simply let our principles, thoughtfulness, kindness guide us perhaps a tablet of commandments will emerge as a guide.
I examine the time-line of all that follow me and if not particularly useful, I don't follow back. If even vaguely offensive, I block. I've blocked or unfollowed over 1000, probably closer to 2000. Keeps my stream clean, meaningful and relevant. Works for me but sure as heck doesn't mean it's the correct way.
First time visitor. Cool site!
@uMCLE
Yeah, welcome to the club, mate. I always thought the definition of snobbery was looking down on the way other people did things.
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Twitter: dariasteigman
Hi Danny,
If you're a Twitter snob, then so am I. But I call it discerning.
I choose to follow people who offer me value. Is that subjective? Sure. But my Twitterstream's a whole lot more interesting than if it were cluttered up with spam, self-serving broadcasts, and drivel just to play a silly numbers game.
Who woke up and made your e-mailer ruler of the world?
–Daria
Oh my.
I'm going to number my thoughts just because I don't feel like forming paragraphs and such.
1. This is absurd.
2. People, we aren't in high school anymore.
3. If you're constantly looking at follow-follower ratios, you need to re-examine what's important in social media.
4. The only time follow-follower ratios matter is when you're determining if someone is a spammer.
5. If Danny Brown is a snob, Guy Kawasaki does his own Tweets.
6. Danny Brown follows me. I'm as surprised as Obama was waking up Friday to learn he had won the Nobel, to learn I'm among the “Twitter elite”.
7. I must have missed the memo that instructed me on the correct way to use Twitter.
8. Follower numbers really don't matter (most of the time). It's the quality of the conversation you are having and the community that is having it.
9. Could we all quit going after the “Twitter elite” Tweeps? I'm a firm believer that you DO NOT have to take other people out/down to succeed (or get more followers). Start doing something with Twitter that is worth our while, and we'll follow you. Pick fights, and we'll see you for what you are. Petty.
10. Thank you.
Yeah man LOL, I'm a Twitter snob as well. We are on Twitter for value and connectedness. I don't consider following every one who follows me being well connected.
On top of that, if you follow everyone or more than follow you, you loose a bit of credibility because people think you're after cheap follower numbers. It always turns me off when someone has 1200 followers and follow 1500 people. That puts up a red flag.
I agree with your point. Numbers does not mean connectedness or value, it just means access numbers LOL. Large numbers are impressive but can be taken too far. Lots of followers increases cred, too many follows lowers it.
Great post Danny!
Cheers
Clinton
@DannyBrown a Twitter Snob? Not a chance. http://bit.ly/sA7Ez
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RT @Twitter_Tips Twitter police: Ignore them, or b something ur not? http://j.mp/b0A4o // will every1 STOP telling people how 2 use media?
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are you a twitter snob? http://tinyurl.com/yzu9q5n
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rt @edwardboches @DannyBrown a Twitter Snob? Not a chance. http://bit.ly/sA7Ez (do people really worry about this stuff in real life?)
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Spare me from the self-described “Twitter experts”. I can't count how many I've seen who use their accounts to push information or spam links or messages. I actually like it – it makes the decision to not follow them back quick and painless.
We all have our own ideas about how to best use Twitter. Like many who have already commented, I don't think that there is any specific right or wrong way overall, just what works best for you. I used to automatically follow back anyone who followed me. Now I stop and look at each “person's” profile. If it looks like they are pushing information (ie: no @ messages, no RTs, no engagement) I don't follow them back. If they appear to be a bot or tweeting questionable content, I don't follow them (and sometimes I block them). I think it's up to the individual, simple as that.
And, for what it's worth, I don't think you're an elitist, Danny. (As my dad would've said, that and a quarter will get you a gumball. lol)
Cheers for another great post (and great comments, too).
hmmm…a “snob”? really? -and, “cardinal rule to 'follow back'?” who said? what rules? the “rules” are evolving by the moment…
Danny, you are a leader, a pioneer… you're setting the bar…the pace…modeling…whatever the analogy… and, not possible nor necessary to 'follow everyone'… which would accomplish what exactly? …might provide some 'status'? for the followed?
…just sounds like insecurity and someone needing/wanting to feel important… well, they did get quite a rise…lots of response…if, that was the goal, mission accomplished.
simply, pls keep doing what you're doing. -much appreciated! J
I am a snob, too then… I follow back people UNLESS their Twitter stream contains ads, links to MLM or get-follower “opportunities”, porn or “teeth whitening!” I also don't always folllow back people who never engage, tweet mostly quotes…
In short, I'm here to share, to learn and to conect with real people who interest me. I've always thought that since all users have that same choice, it isn't snobbery, it's just smart.
I really don't think you are a twitter snob. You handle your account well and are always contributing and helping your community. Which is what it is best used for. There is a few people who I just met who have the ratio way more skewed than you. Besides, if you want it that way then so be it.
It is your choice anyway and yours is not even that bad.
Twitter is about added value. If I have nothing of value to add to a conversation then I don't. Currently, I have less followers than the amount I am following, but I guess by Twitter standards, I am also a Twitter Snob because I don't follow everyone back who follows me. I do check out their profile and their most recent tweets but again it all comes down to added value, whether me in their world or them in my world. @taraperson
If you're a snob for not using auto follow I guess that makes me one too. I don't automatically follow everyone that follows me nor do I want to. I do want to follow those who write interesting posts and news that are related to my interests. Period. Why on earth should you follow everyone that follows you? There's no such rule and all you end up with is a bunch of senseless posts on random topics…not what I want to read in my Tweetdeck feed. You? I'd say you're not a “snob”….rather selective on who you keep company with and there's nothing wrong with that.
Yeah, welcome to the club, mate. I always thought the definition of snobbery was looking down on the way other people did things.
This one's been debated quite a bit. Seth Simonds started it with his unfollowing so that he could pay attention to people, really pay attention and interact. Question is, do people follow everyone out of courtesy? To keep their followers from unfollowing? Out of principle? We're at the point where it almost doesn't matter. I stopped doing it just to avoid auto DMs then started again to try and be “social.” You can't possibly pay attention to more than a few hundred, no matter what anyone says. Though you can, on occasion, be surprised, intrigued, and inspired by someone you didn't expect to, and you may increase your likelihood of finding someone new worth really following. It's all personal preference. Oh, BTW, I don't think you're a snob at all. Final point: everyone should at least engage with someone who @'s them or tries to communicate directly. As long as you do that, you're definitely not as snob.
I'm a snob too then. Not so much on the account associated this this username, but with my main one where I have over 500 followers and follow less than 400. Even that's hard to mange, but at least they're real and engaging.
I personally follow who I like, friends and who ever says interesting things…I'm not a fan of the tweeters who infect a page by talking a million miles a minute with updates about things I have no care for…I think you should follow who interests you, not follow everyone and clog up your page with uselessness…it's interesting that you're being told you aren't using twitter right. Who on earth decided what's wrong or right to do here? That seems silly..Thankyou for being yourself and not succumbing to the blankness of others.
I agree, Danny. Engagement must be somewhat selective, and so there are people whose posts, like yours, tend to be interesting or lead to something new or whatever who will garner more followers naturally. it doesn't mean you have to follow them all back. You – like all of us – are free to decide whom to follow and whom to ignore.
Good post.
Twitter: EstrellaBella10
Wow, how rude! This person must have never heard about the notion of quality versus quantity. It's better to follow 100 people who provide value to the conversation than 1,000 who don't. The two main reasons why I don't follow back everyone who follows me is 1) the follower is a spambot or 2) the person is using Twitter for all the wrong reasons. So does that qualify me as a Twitter snob? I think a HUGE problem with social media is people are too worried about criticizing others and trying to make a name for themselves by calling out someone else. It's just plain wrong. If nothing else, I hope you at least got a laugh from that e-mail!
Twitter snobs; twitter experts…geez, Twitter hasn't been around long enough in general use for those to be defined, has it? So how could there possibly be a police force to determine criteria?
The number whores; those most often using auto follow systems and hardly tweeting or celebs…I'm not interested in them or the Twitter police. If Jack Dorsey built the system without a proscribed set of rules, I'm not interested in someone else's…thank you!
I hate spam just like everyone else, but seriously I've had days when I see more Twitter police comments than I see spam; so who's spamming who now?
I've had fun, made friends, got some wine to review, provided recipes, found some too; helped with blogs, built a website for a follower and am pretty active..but neither a snob or expert; just a user who has find it a useful tool that I had to spend time figuring out how to best use for my needs; some personal, some professional but none subject to anyone else's rules…and I like it that way!
With regards your last point, Shannon, would that be the same for everyone regardless of connection numbers? Say someone has more than 100 replies hitting their stream at about the same time, would it be “fair” to miss the odd one, or should you be even more cognizant of replying?
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RE: @KidsAreHeroes Yep, that was one of the things that stood out, Gabe – is there such a thing as "Twitter elite"? Or… http://disq.us/1b9q6
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Twitter: timjahn
Kudos to you for using the email for others to learn from. I probably would have just deleted it and moved on!
I don't think you're a Twitter snob at all and this person clearly doesn't know you. If they interacted with you for a day on Twitter, they'd know you're one of the most helpful, giving, fun people around these parts. They'd be more concerned with that than your follower/following numbers.
I suspect this person had alternative motives. Probably a social media expert looking for some desperate business.
Guy Kawasaki does his own tweets? Wow….
Love this list, mate – you should make it a Best Practices memo
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At first, it was incredulity. But then yes, I did chuckle and raise eyebrows and thought, “What now?”
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Twitter: davidspinks
If that makes you a snob…then I'm damn proud to be a snob.
You're a good man Danny Brown. Your successes will attract jealous/negative people. Don't ever let them get to you.
oh…and anyone who tells someone else that they're wrong (or right for that matter) about how they use twitter, is in fact, a snob.
RE: @VinoLuci I do tend to chuckle at those that "police" social networks, Barbara – they are open platforms, after al… http://disq.us/1bdrf
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Cheers Tim, I almost did that, in fact. Then thought it could be a way to open up conversation around Twitter use and see how it compared. Glad I did – some great views coming over.
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Haha, thanks for the chuckle, Jenn – I love your way with words!
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RT @DannyBrown: RE: @KidsAreHeroes Gabe – is there such a thing as "Twitter elite"? Or… http://disq.us/1b9q6
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With regards your last point, Shannon, would that be the same for everyone regardless of connection numbers? Say someone has more than 100 replies hitting their stream at about the same time, would it be “fair” to miss the odd one, or should you be even more cognizant of replying?
I'm not even going to continue the “Twitter ho” dialogue, John, we all know your burlesque-icity online – ha!
I wrote a while back about the Twitter rulebook – that unless you're breaking Twitter's Terms of Service then anything else is open. Seems to be the same view for most, thankfully.
Yep, that was one of the things that stood out, Gabe – is there such a thing as “Twitter elite”? Or “Facebook elite”? Or any kind of social media elite? If there is, I think the fact that it uses the term “elite” would be the exact reason I'd want to stay well away, personally.
I think that's the ideal way to do most things when it comes to connections, Julie – there has to be shared interests and common ground, otherwise I'd think it'd soon get pretty boring, no?
And the pleasure is all mine – love learning from you each time
Hey there Justin, kudos for using “what a load of shite” – now there's a saying I haven't heard in a while.
You're right – it's crazy to tell anyone what they should and shouldn't be doing. Offer your way, by all means, and see if it can be used or adapted by others. But outright telling someone what to do? Seems kinda off and cranky to me…
Hey there Tim, glad you found your way over
That's another thing that I think is often underused, the block option. When I see folks complaining about the amount of spam, but then they don't cleanse their accounts, I do wonder a little if there should be any complaining to start with. None of like spam, but we do have options to work around it.
Subjectivity never did anyone any harm, Daria – I'm with you on that one.
Guy Kawasaki does his own tweets? Wow….
Love this list, mate – you should make it a Best Practices memo
Did you find it easier to manage your account after stopping auto-following, Mickey? I've never used any of the auto-services and it can sometimes be tough to manage multiple convos and streams, and that's from a manual follow, so just curious how auto-following affects management?
I must have missed the rule book on my way to chat online, J…
Thanks for the kind words, fella, seriously appreciated. It does seem that there are times that it might be a “slow news day” so let's go bash someone. Hey ho…
I'm in the same mindset as you when it comes to auto-follow software. I can maybe see the use for non-profits or similar to raise numbers and awareness, but is it the right audience for the awareness? So yes, I'm not a huge fan of that software. I'd like to think it's selectivity over snobbery, but I guess we all have different interpretations of things.
I'm with you on that one, Edward. I like to connect with a bunch of different folks in different niches, from the very view you share – you never know what you could stumble across form one single tweet. But that doesn't mean you have to follow, or shouldn't follow. Like you say, it doesn't really matter – if it works for you and it's not hurting anyone, where's the problem?
There's another thing that your comment just reminded me of, Sue. Say you receive a recommendation about you through someone's blog, and that blogger has a large readership. Now, you may not be aware of that comment or post, but it leads to a spike of new followers/connections. Does snobbery still apply because now your numbers are skewed through a recommendation?
So yes, engagement and connection is selective. Doesn't have to be, for sure – I just find that it works pretty well (at least so far), so I'll keep that approach for now.
At first, it was incredulity. But then yes, I did chuckle and raise eyebrows and thought, “What now?”
I do tend to chuckle at those that “police” social networks, Barbara – they are open platforms, after all. It's like being Judge, Jury and Executioner all in one, and we know they're prone to costly errors…
Cheers Tim, I almost did that, in fact. Then thought it could be a way to open up conversation around Twitter use and see how it compared. Glad I did – some great views coming over.
I'm a Twitter snob too. I don't like to follow people I can't follow (so to speak) and I already have too many really. Don't worry about it!
This post is a prime example of why, while I wouldn't touch most PR / SM folks with virtual 10 foot pole, I still love and follow Danny. Always nice to see an anti-whore in the Twittersphere.
Haha, thanks for the chuckle, Jenn – I love your way with words!
Oops, language fail on my end.
By “automatically follow”, I meant I'd see who was following me and click to follow them back without question. I did it manually, though – I've never used auto-followers (they kinda drive me nuts, actually, along with the auto-DMs). And I like the magic of discovering new people on Twitter too much to let a program do it for me. 
Twitter: jackieadkins
I'd go out on a limb and guess the person who emailed you has “Social Media Guru” in their Twitter profile…
When I'm looking at someone I don't follow and see their numbers are “skewed” like yours that is always sort of reassuring to me because it tells me that user probably enjoys interacting with their followers, which is why they don't want to follow every spammer who follows them.
To Follow or not To Follow. I imagine you are a Twitter snob if you don't take at least an hour out of everyday to communicate with Britney as she sucks. Britney has a zillion friends for us to meet. I met one the other day named @fJJkkk2334z7 …seemed a real nice girl, except that she sucked.
Alas, I didn't follow her back.
And I may unfollow you because you have used ASTERISKS instead of the F word.
But I'll decide this later.
Hmmm… I guess being in the 1,200 range I can't imagine 100 @ replies at once lol. My blog typically doesn't attract this much attention yet
. If someone is THAT much of a celebrity I guess it would be fair to let it go. Is Ashton Kutcher a Twitter snob? Honestly I have no way of knowing but chances of him responding if I send him an @ are slim and I would be ok with that if I had anything to say to Ashton Kutcher. But as someone else pointed out Guy Kawaski does *most* of his own tweets. He has also said sometimes it's his people and has been open about that. But I once mentioned alltop on a Sun. night and had a response in 5 minutes. @WholeFoods has a huge # of followers and I think they took a day. Now I am also very patient. If it takes you a week to get back to my @ message, I'm ok with that. But if I have said something worthy of a response, then respond dammit! But if you haven't then I don't usually care enough to track you down. Like email my theory is send it and forget it. If the conversation continues, great. If not I am not personally wounded b/c I can't remember everything I sent out. And this is at moderate usage with about 1,200 followers and 1,300 followees. So I don't expect others to be perfect either. And if I really need something from you then I'll bug ya till you notice me. Bottom line is that perhaps the most important “Twitter rule is to “lighten up” and not take ourselves so seriously!
Soy un twittero snob??? Quizás!!! http://bit.ly/sMhkd
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Hey Danny, I'll bet you're an advertising snob, too. I know I am. I ignore maybe 95% of the advertising thrown my way.
I wasn't aware that being social on Twitter meant engaging in indiscriminate relationships with every individual (or MLM robot, or Britney pornbot) that knocks on my virtual door. Sounds like unsafe SM to me.
Hey there Dan,
Ah, now that's a great point you make. So, by that logic, I'm guessing we're all snobs of many things? Blog advertising, design, format, the social networks we're not part of, grocery shopping, etc… Perhaps my butt is a snob for using a certain type of loo roll…
Cheers bud!
Hi Danny — I kind of see it the other way, that folks who have equal numbers of followers as they are following are probably not discriminating enough about who they are following. Twitter is not a mutual admiration society. I don't mind who follows me but I have a focused set of information I'm looking for from the folks I follow, so I don't follow everyone who follows me. It seems like an extension of blogs — not everyone who reads my blog writes a blog that I would also be interested in. What makes that snobbery? It's just knowing what you're interested in, IMO.
Couldn't have said it better myself. I think there's a line between “snobbery” and “discerning choices”, and possibly that's blurrier to some than others. Possibly…
More followers than following makes you a twitter snob? Nope, ensures you get value from twitter! RT @DannyBrown http://bit.ly/sA7Ez
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Wow, I should be surprised someone sent that to you, but then again I'm not.
I think following to follow ratio is about engagement and what you are looking to get out of Twitter.
For example, if a car company follows me, but only tweets about their cars, doesn't engage and I don't even own their brand — why would I follow them back? Not interested. Whereas, I know of one specific makeup brand out there, where their PR girl is on their Twitter engaging with their buyers, telling them about the latest shades, she Twit Pics like crazy — that girl, yes I follow her back. She's interesting and unique and I “get” something out of her.
So all these people who say others are snobs…maybe they're just jealous you have more followers than them? Better yet, maybe they are jealous because you aren't following them?
Oh, dear.
I recall seeing a Twitter account that did nothing but post links. I thought it was spammy, until I clicked through some of the links and it was a different TwitPic each day, with a different message per day. Very unique. Sadly I haven't seen it in a while, but definitely a great way to engage. Everybody's different
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