Do Twitter users have an obligation to provide value?
The short answer is No. But I suppose it all depends on why you joined Twitter in the first place. Some of us joined because over 2 years ago, it was the new shiny social media “thing”. We had no idea at the time, nor did Biz and Ev for that matter, it would be what it is now. I almost don’t recognize it.
Beth Harte a few months back, talked about social media purists in a blog posts about the 4 faces of social media. For the purists out there, I think Twitter is just another extension or another channel to communicate, share and learn. That’s CO-mmunicate. As in 2 way. or as Beth mentions, The purist “truly embraces social media as the conversation that the tools allow people to engage in from day-to-day”.
The purist on Twitter doesn’t feel “obligated” to share information or provide value, they just do.
For those that are not into Twitter for the value that they can give and get from conversations, chances are they are misguided in to what they think Twitter can do for them. The operative phrase there being “what Twitter can DO for them.” Or rather, at some point along the way, for these “takers”, it ceased to be about the conversation, and more about them. Chances are, it was never really about the conversation in the first place. Essentially Twitter became a vehicle for narcissism.
This user will take value but won’t re-purpose or share value. Nor will they provide value. Unfortunately this person seems to be appearing more and more often in the space and for that reason, one is now forced to create niche like silos for information that hasn’t been tainted so to speak. I have maintained that that concept (silos) seems to make the most sense to really get and give the most value from those you follow and those that follow you, but by creating your own walled garden, you do miss out on some morsels of good content from time to time. But, to some degree, we now have no choice.
I’m going to semi-quote a song by a really famous band that was pictured above and rehash the words.
In the end, the value that you take, should be equal to the value that you make.
So what’s the answer?
You think about it.
Marc is the Director Of Search and Social Media at Digital Response Marketing Group, as well as a principal within the company. He is also one of the co-founders of HashTag Social Media. A twitter based weekly tweet session wrapped around the business of social media.
Marc currently writes a blog called Direct Marketing Observations which is one of the top 500 blogs on media according to Adage Power 150 as well. It is also ranked in the Junta42 which ranks the top content marketing blogs in the country as well.
Marc’s company site can be found here at www.drmglistens.com and his Twitter handle is twitter.com/marc_meyer
Agree. I’m beginning to see a lot more people/buisnesses join Twitter thinking that its just a free place to advertise. With this mindset, I would be truly amazed if someone actually buys their product or service. And for those new to Twitter, I beg you, PLEASE do not follow this trend…and PLEASE do not buy from these businesses. We cant have people thinking this is what Twitter is all about. A good rule of thumb is for every 10 Tweets, 9 should be “For Them” and 1 can be used “For You.” What I mean by that is, its ok to every once in a while to strategically plug in your business. Maybe youre running a promotion…well let people know. You’re helping youre followers save money! (note:there is some grey area here, and it really depends on what type of business you run. i.e. restaurant vs. law office)
Twitter is about adding value to others lives. Before every Tweet, I ask myself “is this information that will be useful, educating, entertaining, motivating, and/or inspirational to the people who read it?” Most of my Tweets are of topics related to SoMe, Marketing, and technology…because thats what I know.
Stick to what you know, throw in some emotion every once in awhile(so we know youre not a robot), and stay away from the “What can Twitter DO for me?” mentality that Marc mentioned.