It seems as the though (after all of the scrutiny in recent weeks) that the “let’s automate Twitter” idea is running rampant again.   I woke up to more spam in my DM box this morning than the local grocer has on their shelves.  

I have no problem with people using automated tools to ASSIST them in RELATING and CONNECTING with their audience, but the use of them for blatant spam (even though it might seem fruitful now) will be a recipe for disaster down the road.

The social media (if anything) is about reputation.  It’s obvious to me, however, that FEAR is keeping most people from levels of greatness based solely on their ACTIONS.  For example… if I were at church, the lodge, the club, wherever and someone approached me and said “Hi, my name is Bob, it’s great to meet you”, extended their hand and smiled… while I said nothing and walked away… what type of impression would that leave?

THAT TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IS LEAVING THE SAME IMPRESSION IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA!

I can’t tell you how many times, this week, that I have tried to communicate with someone via the DM tool on Twitter, only to receive TWO replies in an entire week (and that in adding over 1000 followers in the last 6 days.)

Now I’m not going to make this all about me in some cry baby, boo hoo type of blog here… that’s not what this is about.  What I want to point out is what PEOPLE ARE MISSING OUT ON by behaving in this way.

Let’s take a look at the way people do BUSINESS in the REAL WORLD.  In watching The Apprentice we can see several GOOD examples.  In thinking back to one of the earlier shows of this season, the teams were tested with a task of selling the most cup cakes for charity.  For those of you who saw that episode you will notice that the teams didn’t take a “hit and run” approach to their marketing and advertising efforts.  They went belly to belly with the people that they KNEW and DIDN’T KNOW.  There was no fear of rejection, nor was there complacency.  They called people and talked to people who also called people and talked to people (viral marketing). They were assigned a task and they did it.  In the end run they generated a boat load of money for charity. 

We NEVER know when that ONE person is going to meet us in the cross road of life that could help us take our business, product, idea, brand, whatever, to new heights of success!  This is why that the utilization of the social media (Twitter, Plurk, Ping.FM, Facebook, YouTube, etc.) as a method of COMMUNICATION is so vitally important.  

How sad it would be if the Law of Attraction brought us exactly what we were looking for through Twitter, via a great person, but because we were to busy focusing on self that we missed out on a connection that could have lead to a hundred more connections?

Here are a couple of Tweets from today that will illustrate what I’m talking about when it comes to opening the lines (and keeping open the lines) of communication.

“Good morning, I have a new blog posting that I thought might interest you.  Have a great weekend.” While the greeting is cordial, the message is quick to turn the FOCUS on the SENDER and not the RECIPIENT.  The sender has made the core theme of this message about THEMSELF.  Then, they instantly dismiss themself from the conversation by ending it abruptly, versus trying to carry on, connenct and ENGAGE.  This is happening for two primary reasons.  First, people just don’t know any better and second… FEAR!  

Most people are afraid to engage due to fear of rejection.  If you are going to use the social media for business then you better be prepared to hear more no’s than yes’s.  That’s all part and parcel of the gig.  This is why, I believe, so many people turn to automation is because they don’t want to deal with the no’s.  Moreover, they don’t want to integrate with the people!

Here’s another example that just came in via TweetDeck as I am writing this post…

@rexharrislive I’m doing fine! www.xxxxxxxxx.com – notice that there is no attempt to carry on, or even start a conversation here, but there’s no problem with making sure that their link is exposed.  

Friends, if you really want to be successful in life and in business then you are going to have to learn to put yourself asside and remember that PEOPLE are the key element that we need to be successful!  Without people, there is no one to buy our products, no one to join our business opportunities and no one to make use of our services.

Here’s a strategy that will allow you to use automation for the purpose of communication…

*TweetLater - Here’s a great resource for automating Twitter.  Now, keep in mind you want to use this to assist in building relationships, not just to spam DM’s.  

Using the automated messaging feature in TweetLater, set up a Tweet that goes out to all now followers following this outline.

1.)  Thank people for following you… it’s cordial and pollite.  A simple “Thanks for following!” will be suffice.

2.)  Offer people a gift of value.  By giving people something that will actually help them accomplish a goal or solve a problem, you begin the trust building process which is vital to any business relationship, especially online where trust is a commodity in this day and age.  

3.)  Never leave the message “close ended.”  Use the last sentence of your Tweet to engage people.  Something like “How are you today?” works very well.  NEVER make your first DM’s about you… make them about the people if you want to win friends and influence business.

Example:  ”Thanks for following!  Here’s a little something that will help you with Twitter (short link here)!  How are you today?”

Keep in mind that not everyone is going to reply to this, but many will… and those are opportunities that should NEVER be overlooked!  There will come a time when you you connect with the right person who not only join your business opportunity but tells ten of their friends and they do the same.  It happens all the time but you must leave these channels open if you ever plan to be successful using the Law of Attraction in marketing and business.

Remember that “the germ of defeat is in every selfish thought.  Every transaction in life and business must be done to benefit the WHOLE, not just the part” - Charles Haanel, The Master Key System

Have a great day!

Rex