What Is Twitter Spam?

Yesterday I tweeted “I unfollow spammers”.

My friend Jason Dragon thoughtfully replied:

So what is considered a spammer. Where is that line exactly. It seems that different people have different ideas on this. I only post updates about my business yet people unfollow me. I like to see how other people are doing. To me spam is posting the same worthless information over and over again.

Maybe it’s kinda like that famous line about pornography: “I know it when I see it.”

In the case that prompted my tweet it was pretty clear:

• It was a DM from someone I’ve never exchanged tweets with before
• The user name was just a randome collestion of letters, not a real name
• The content of the DM was, “Test out the new Mac Mini and keep it for free at [url I won't repeat here].

If your only tool is a hammer then everything looks like a nail.

Which means, I suppose that if you are a spammer then everything looks like a spam delivery channel.

In general, I give people the benefit of the doubt, but in clear cases like this I just unfollow.  This is after all, permission marketing:

• I choose to follow you.
• In return, your obligation is to provide me with content I think is worth my time.

 ”But Dave, you keep saying Twitter is the best prospecting tool on the planet!”

Yes, it is – when used properly.

Mine is not the final – or only – opinion regarding what is – and what is not – acceptable Twitter behavior but in general, I suggest that you approach the twittersphere in much the same way you would approach a Chamber of Commerce mixer: Don’t hit-and-run.  Be there for the long haul.  Get known; Get credible; Get trusted.  When you observe someone articulating a problem you can solve, help them.  When someone asks a question you can answer, answer it.

If someone articulates a need or desire for a product or service you offer, consider it an open invitation to make them aware of your offering but in  a way that’s not hard-sell.

In general, you’ll get the most ROI for your efforts if you look for people expressing a problem you can solve and then reach out to them and help them in some way.