Comments on: Managing Massive Social Networks While Retaining Community

By: Pat Kitano

Pat Kitano — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 06:51:53 +0000

Thanks Daniel, I know a lot of people would disagree with the conclusion to follow everybody. For me, it’s practical. With about 60 new followers per day on Twitter, I use an auto-follow instead of going through the time filtering through the followers and accepting one by one. Then, I “group” all the Tweeps I want to follow in groups on http://tweetdeck.com.

That way, I only spend 20 minutes per day to respond to @ and DMs on Twitter… it’s efficient use of networking time.

By: Daniel Greene

Daniel Greene — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 06:17:50 +0000

I really enjoyed reading your blog post and those you linked to, but I have to say I disagree with your conclusion. I don’t see the point in following everyone who follows me. It’s not a matter of politeness; it’s a matter of practicality. What does it even mean to “follow” 5,000 people? It means nothing. I don’t like to do meaningless things. I like to do meaningful things. I like to be authentic.

By: Alan Wolk

Alan Wolk — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:05:13 +0000

No worries then Pat- one of the problems with written communications is the potential for misunderstanding. Now that you explain, I totally see your point and it’s all good.

What’s fascinating to me about the influx of realtors on Twitter is that it’s the first industry outside the greater tech world to adopt Twitter with any real mass. (There are a number of finance guys on, but they tend to be finance guys who focus on tech)

Glad we got this sorted out.

Alan

By: Louis Cammarosano

Louis Cammarosano — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:27:05 +0000

Hi Pat
I just posted “Not Enough Twitter” http://activerain.com/blogsview/900275/Not-enough-Twitter

After reconsidering “Too Much Twitter” http://activerain.com/blogsview/896070/Too-Much-Twitter

I think that separate accounts and tools will help people get what they wish from twitter. Unless what they really want is just to have thousands of followers…

By: Pat Kitano

Pat Kitano — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:23:00 +0000

Pardons Alan, no derogatory intent meant with the wording "stating the obvious". I meant that it's obvious Twitter is overrun with spammers. I think your article is excellent (and admire your blog) and I agree with all the points. I would never cite anyone's work here just to badmouth. In fact, I'm re-editing slightly so this comes across cleaner. What you say in your comment is consistent with what I think. There are two types, those using Twitter to develop a large network and those who use it in a more intimate fashion. True. And I don't see where I've missed this point. Your idea of using two Twitter accounts works too.

By: Alan Wolk

Alan Wolk — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:30:39 +0000

That Alan Wolk has a flair for stating the obvious, doesn’t he?

I think you’re missing the point though Pat.

There are two audiences for social media. *Your* audience is the smaller one: people, such as realtors, who want to use social media to self-promote. They’re the ones who care about things like number of followers.

The larger audience wants to use it to socialize. They have no interest in building up “influence.” They just want to talk to their friends.

But the self-promoters need the socializers. Because who else will listen?

But I’m a bit baffled as to why a real estate agent who used Twitter to drum up business would even think about blocking potential followers.

And there’s a simpler solution for them than Tweet Deck: two accounts – a personal and professional one. Apps like Twhirl handle this quite easily and it keeps what would seem to be two very different audience far apart.

But that’s pretty obvious too.