Comments on: 8,000 Twitter followers. Now what? http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/ Marketing. Social Media. Humanity. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mark W. Schaefer http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-4972 Mark W. Schaefer Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:13:42 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-4972 I don't think I would ever be an unresponsive blogger but i hope you'l;l help keep me on my toes! I don’t think I would ever be an unresponsive blogger but i hope you’l;l help keep me on my toes!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Chris http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-4971 Chris Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:59:44 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-4971 Mark, thanks for your quick responses and honesty... glad that we could talk before u also go out-of-reach :) Mark, thanks for your quick responses and honesty… glad that we could talk before u also go out-of-reach :)

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mark W. Schaefer http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-4968 Mark W. Schaefer Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:50:28 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-4968 I agree with you ... mostly. There are plenty of people who are successful who don't engage. Guy Kawasaki, Seth Godin, Alyssa Milano. If you are in that celebrity status people will follow you any way. Just a nuance. I am not a celebrity and I enjoy engaging with people. It's the best part of the social web. How will i handle the growing crowd? I don't know. I don't have a plan. I've never had a plan and certainly did not expect to get this many followers so quickly. I think you're right that some leaks will develop and people will think I'm a snob. I suspect this has already happened. I've talked to a few others who are in this situation and they don;t have any real good answers either. They admit that they can't always keep up. I wish I could give you a list of next steps but I don't have one. I've been figuring it out as i go along. Just being honest! I agree with you … mostly. There are plenty of people who are successful who don’t engage. Guy Kawasaki, Seth Godin, Alyssa Milano. If you are in that celebrity status people will follow you any way. Just a nuance.

I am not a celebrity and I enjoy engaging with people. It’s the best part of the social web. How will i handle the growing crowd? I don’t know. I don’t have a plan. I’ve never had a plan and certainly did not expect to get this many followers so quickly.

I think you’re right that some leaks will develop and people will think I’m a snob. I suspect this has already happened. I’ve talked to a few others who are in this situation and they don;t have any real good answers either. They admit that they can’t always keep up.

I wish I could give you a list of next steps but I don’t have one. I’ve been figuring it out as i go along. Just being honest!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Chris http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-4966 Chris Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:11:15 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-4966 Mark, thanks for the quick response. I am interested in this: "Since I am gaining about 1,000 followers per month, it is quickly becoming unmanageable based on the strategies I now have in place. Maybe it’s time for another blog post!" I understand that growing popularity cannot be a curse... but once you start having to ignore people due to the large influx of demands on your attention (such as this one), those that are not responded will feel bad and specially when they see you engaging with some but ignoring them. That's the price of being an internet-celeb, people think that you are a snob and don't care to engage with the common folk. The one thing that got you to the top, engaging with people, will make you seem uncaring for not engaging with all. I would really like to know how you would personally cope with it once it gets unmanagable, what your new strategy would be. That may serve as a guide to others who are also facing that problem. Mark, thanks for the quick response. I am interested in this:

“Since I am gaining about 1,000 followers per month, it is quickly becoming unmanageable based on the strategies I now have in place. Maybe it’s time for another blog post!”

I understand that growing popularity cannot be a curse… but once you start having to ignore people due to the large influx of demands on your attention (such as this one), those that are not responded will feel bad and specially when they see you engaging with some but ignoring them.

That’s the price of being an internet-celeb, people think that you are a snob and don’t care to engage with the common folk. The one thing that got you to the top, engaging with people, will make you seem uncaring for not engaging with all.

I would really like to know how you would personally cope with it once it gets unmanagable, what your new strategy would be. That may serve as a guide to others who are also facing that problem.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mark W. Schaefer http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-4954 Mark W. Schaefer Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:18:58 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-4954 @Chris -- Since I have written this article, my number of followers has ballooned to 13,300 primarily through the growing popularity of {grow} (I believe). In 2010, I've had about 2,000 comments on the blog and I address about all of them. I would never consider out-sourcing the answering of questions, as you mention here. So far it has been manageable. Twitter is another matter. On some days I am mentioned in several hundred tweets and there have been examples of things slipping through the cracks. Since I am gaining about 1,000 followers per month, it is quickly becoming unmanageable based on the strategies I now have in place. Maybe it's time for another blog post! Despite this surge, I consider it a blessing, not a curse. It is an honor that people find some value in what I do and I don't want to take that for granted. Thanks for your question. I hope this helps! @Chris — Since I have written this article, my number of followers has ballooned to 13,300 primarily through the growing popularity of {grow} (I believe). In 2010, I’ve had about 2,000 comments on the blog and I address about all of them. I would never consider out-sourcing the answering of questions, as you mention here. So far it has been manageable.

Twitter is another matter. On some days I am mentioned in several hundred tweets and there have been examples of things slipping through the cracks. Since I am gaining about 1,000 followers per month, it is quickly becoming unmanageable based on the strategies I now have in place. Maybe it’s time for another blog post!

Despite this surge, I consider it a blessing, not a curse. It is an honor that people find some value in what I do and I don’t want to take that for granted.

Thanks for your question. I hope this helps!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Chris http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-4953 Chris Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:22:00 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-4953 Hi Mark... just found this great post and conversation on your blog. One quick question: What would your "engaging" strategy be if you had 80,000 subscribers and 8,000 of them asked you a direct question right here just like I am? I am trying to understand if growing big on social media is a boon or a curse because of obvious timesink issues in doing one-on-one conversations with hundreds of people. Would you a) still insist on replying to each comment by outsourcing the task to a support team (knowing that it is not a real reply if you don't reply to it yourself), or b) keep it real by replying yourself, but being selective as it would be impossible for you to reply to 8,000 people on a single blog post? Would be really interested in knowing your opinion on this issue. Thanks. Chris Hi Mark… just found this great post and conversation on your blog.

One quick question: What would your “engaging” strategy be if you had 80,000 subscribers and 8,000 of them asked you a direct question right here just like I am?

I am trying to understand if growing big on social media is a boon or a curse because of obvious timesink issues in doing one-on-one conversations with hundreds of people.

Would you a) still insist on replying to each comment by outsourcing the task to a support team (knowing that it is not a real reply if you don’t reply to it yourself), or b) keep it real by replying yourself, but being selective as it would be impossible for you to reply to 8,000 people on a single blog post?

Would be really interested in knowing your opinion on this issue. Thanks.

Chris

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Brett Blair http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-2155 Brett Blair Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:37:10 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-2155 Mark, Great post! As a relatively new "Social Media Marketer," and one who just crossed the Twitter 6,000 follower mark, I too am a little confused on how to go forward. Your blog and your other information is VERY helpful. Thanks so much for sharing! Mark,
Great post! As a relatively new “Social Media Marketer,” and one who just crossed the Twitter 6,000 follower mark, I too am a little confused on how to go forward. Your blog and your other information is VERY helpful. Thanks so much for sharing!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mark http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-1940 Mark Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:14:38 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-1940 @Lu I don't know if it's a male thing or a "me" thing but it is difficult to hear so many nice comments sometimes. It's kind of like whan I had a performance review at work. I would shoot right past the good stuff and concentrate on where I can improve. So I guess I need to mellow out and learn to be more open to all the really sweet things you all have to say to me. It does mean so very much! And I am especially PROUD OF YOU for taking the leap and commenting on my blog! I hope we will hear your voice often. Your words had a great impact on me. Isn't that a powerful thing to do? Thank you! Now back to business. B2B marketing is fun! Please let me know if I can ever help you in your career. I often talk to members of the {grow} community about their business issues and I always end up being the one who learns something! @Lu I don’t know if it’s a male thing or a “me” thing but it is difficult to hear so many nice comments sometimes. It’s kind of like whan I had a performance review at work. I would shoot right past the good stuff and concentrate on where I can improve. So I guess I need to mellow out and learn to be more open to all the really sweet things you all have to say to me. It does mean so very much!

And I am especially PROUD OF YOU for taking the leap and commenting on my blog! I hope we will hear your voice often. Your words had a great impact on me. Isn’t that a powerful thing to do? Thank you!

Now back to business. B2B marketing is fun! Please let me know if I can ever help you in your career. I often talk to members of the {grow} community about their business issues and I always end up being the one who learns something!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Lu http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-1936 Lu Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:18:01 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-1936 You’re doing a great job, Mark! I really enjoy reading your blog posts and you’re the only blogger whose blog I check daily. I’ve never commented on any posts – I’m one of those people who observe more than they participate, but I still find great value in following you. I don’t think you have to worry too much about engaging with all 8,000 followers. You seem to do a great job interacting with those that interact with you, and that’s really enough. There are lots of people like me who are just happy to listen for now – as a fresh marketing graduate with no related work experience and who is new to social media, I find myself more comfortable to just to soak everything in. I’m working in a B2B marketing role and initially was less than excited because I perceived B2B as “boring”. Until I came to your site – B2B can be interesting, it can be fun! At some point I’m sure I’ll start to join in on conversations, but at the moment I’m getting everything I want out of following you. It’s amazing to see how your followers have grown since I started following you (I was your 1,000th!) and on Fridays you always come up in #FF. I never do #FF but if I did you would literally be the only one. I truly believe you have so many follower because you DO provide such valuable insights, and your posts are always well thought out, well articulated, and funny. And you just seem like a nice guy. Keep up the amazing work! You’re doing a great job, Mark! I really enjoy reading your blog posts and you’re the only blogger whose blog I check daily. I’ve never commented on any posts – I’m one of those people who observe more than they participate, but I still find great value in following you.

I don’t think you have to worry too much about engaging with all 8,000 followers. You seem to do a great job interacting with those that interact with you, and that’s really enough. There are lots of people like me who are just happy to listen for now – as a fresh marketing graduate with no related work experience and who is new to social media, I find myself more comfortable to just to soak everything in. I’m working in a B2B marketing role and initially was less than excited because I perceived B2B as “boring”. Until I came to your site – B2B can be interesting, it can be fun! At some point I’m sure I’ll start to join in on conversations, but at the moment I’m getting everything I want out of following you.

It’s amazing to see how your followers have grown since I started following you (I was your 1,000th!) and on Fridays you always come up in #FF. I never do #FF but if I did you would literally be the only one. I truly believe you have so many follower because you DO provide such valuable insights, and your posts are always well thought out, well articulated, and funny. And you just seem like a nice guy.

Keep up the amazing work!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Bill Sledzik http://www.businessesgrow.com/2010/01/20/8000-twitter-followers-now-what/#comment-1929 Bill Sledzik Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:39:12 +0000 http://businessesgrow.com/?p=1915#comment-1929 If 50-60 folks started following me each day, I'd be hard pressed to keep up. I picked up 500 followers in one week when I landed on a popular blogger's "people to follow" list. Never did get a chance to review all of them, so most didn't get a follow-back because they were lost in the avalanche. I don't block anyone, except for the porn spammers and loan sharks. Most of those go away if you ignore them. I do follow anyone who looks interesting, provided their bio doesn't list them as a "guru" or a "speaker." We're all speakers.Sheesh. Even those on my "monitor closely" list get limited attention. I see maybe one third of your tweets. And I don't backtrack. Want my attention? You'll have to @ me. Or hell, pick up the phone :-) I'm a bit of an odd duct, as I have no business objective with Twitter or any of my SM activities. I'm just a curious person who enjoys meeting other curious people. If 50-60 folks started following me each day, I’d be hard pressed to keep up. I picked up 500 followers in one week when I landed on a popular blogger’s “people to follow” list. Never did get a chance to review all of them, so most didn’t get a follow-back because they were lost in the avalanche.

I don’t block anyone, except for the porn spammers and loan sharks. Most of those go away if you ignore them. I do follow anyone who looks interesting, provided their bio doesn’t list them as a “guru” or a “speaker.” We’re all speakers.Sheesh.

Even those on my “monitor closely” list get limited attention. I see maybe one third of your tweets. And I don’t backtrack. Want my attention? You’ll have to @ me. Or hell, pick up the phone :-)

I’m a bit of an odd duct, as I have no business objective with Twitter or any of my SM activities. I’m just a curious person who enjoys meeting other curious people.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>