Loading ...Earlier this year at SES New York, Guy Kawasaki raised quite a stir when he gave his keynote address regarding his use of Twitter and specifically, his use of ghost tweeters. Although many SEOs disagree with the practice, Li Evans of Serengeti Communications defends him on the grounds of marketing.
Kawasaki’s use of Twitter became a problem when some people discovered that he had ghost tweeters but didn’t disclose it. Although he does disclose now, Evans says people need to understand that Kawasaki is a marketer. With marketing, the message plays one of the most critical roles.
In an interview with WebProNews at the BlogWorld Expo 2009, Kawasaki responded to the criticism of his ghost tweeters by saying: “At the end of the day, the ultimate test is not who tweeted it, as much as, is it interesting.”
According to Evans, the core issue is the expectations of the audience. Ashton Kutcher is an avid tweeter and his followers know it. On the contrary, 50 Cent has other people tweet for him; although it doesn’t make everyone happy, his followers know that he is not tweeting on his own.
In regards to business usage of Twitter, Evans recommends planning a strategy to determine the best way to meet the audience’s expectations. If the expectations involve more than the business can do on its own, make sure to disclose whoever is doing it. Otherwise, the business could lose its credibility.
Do you think ghost tweeting is wrong if you disclose it? What does your audience expect from you?
The concept of ghost tweeting struck me initially as a bit anti-”social.” That’s probably because I’ve come to expect a highly personal approach from Twitter users. This is especially true if they use given names, or even stage names, rather than corporate names.
That line does seem to blur with celebrity names. While I don’t follow either of them, both Ashton Kutcher and 50 Cent appear to be individuals, yet both are “brands,” as well.
I would encourage a client to be up front about who is actually tweeting. When all is said and done, however, I’m not sure having a ghost tweeter is different from using a ghost writer for anything else.
It really depends on why you’re on twitter. And what your expectation are. Many people use it as a marketing platform and to get their message out. Others expect to connect to friends. Ghost tweeting was only the next logical step for some. I agree with B.J. that the celebrities on twitter are also brands. You can’t believe that these people are spending all day (and in some instances night) tweeting. They have their assistant or somebody else take care of it for them.
Does this mean anything to the person that just got an @ from Brittany? Probably not. It works the same way as an autograph from your favorite celebrity. Most people don’t care that some guy in the storage room at the studio was the one to actually sign.
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Interesting comments here .. it just really goes to individual feelings and opinions .. yes, an @ you from a “celeb” does carry some personal satisfaction, even though we know (or would be assuming) anyway that its probably not that person themselves… and we know that “Brand Names” would be employees more likely than not.
I do like the “personal” touch of twitter and the instant online repartee (yes, and the occasional friendship that’s springing up ) .. its fun and frivolous but can often be really helpful, handy and mostly, interesting.
We all know that marketers are there and that’s fine, they often have interests and tweets that I will follow and learn from (as well as gardeners, parents, writers, singers, cat lovers etc etc) .. its all good no-matter how we use it. Each to his own.
However, I don’t think that we should vilify someone using a “ghost” writer – they must be ‘tweeting’ stuff we like or we wouldn’t be following them, would we?
As Benjamin wrote,it depends on what do you want with Twitter.Also I noticed how important tweets can be and noticed with which tweet I am interested to read a website or not.However, too many tweets have too much informations and make a product with now overview and not clear. I think that twitter is in the process to become a ghost internet and ghost tweets overload this beautiful program and this was not the intention,I suppose.
For myself as a beginner, I try to make my tweets in a small talk way showing what I have to offer open with a smallest tip perhaps of one cooking recipe,disconnected from my offers.After all I got more visitor for my websites and that is for me a good effect.
We have to be careful with ghost tweets.
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Ghost tweeting = much ado about nothing.
Most Tweeting = “pointless babble”
http://www.pearanalytics.com/blog/2009/twitter-study-reveals-interesting-results-40-percent-pointless-babble/
Live With Intention,
DrBillToth.com/blog
Great video!
She makes a good point on establishing what are your end goals, and then move forward from there.
I don’t believe in ghost tweeting on a personal and business standpoint. Social Media is all about engaging with your customers, it’s building a relationship and trust.
Jason
when we provide SEO services we keep a clear line of using natural and clean methods. this is mainly derives from our true belief that the internet should be clean from spammy blogs and worthless cache sites.
if you have to employ other people to babble for you on twitter this means you dont have something important to express.
well if you have no added value or anything important to say for yourself and if you dont find the time to say it than you are probably spamming…
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Can we say Milli Vanilli? Let’s be real here. The internet is as impersonal as you can get. Be yourself. If someone else is tweeting for you then let that be know. I’ve been a follower of Guy Kawasaki for 20 years. If he had someone tweet for him he should make that known. I would listen to anyone that Kawasaki would allow to step in his place but I would like to know first.
Wow! such unique information on the subject.
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