No, it’s not me. It’s another Twitter User who blogged about his removal of 45,000 Followers. I read the blog and was inspired to write my response. I don’t know if my response will show up on his blog, so my thoughts are below the dotted line.
Read the original blog post here:
http://sethsimonds.com/why-i-unfollowed-everybody-on-twitter
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Often I find myself counting to ten when I read blogs like this.
My first instinct is to say how it is nearly impossible to “connect” with 100,000 people on a daily basis even if it is via the speed of the Internet. It’s unfair to pick on Tweetdeck users who set up favorites so they can communicate with those they regularly interact with. We ALL have our favorites. I do. So do you.
I’ve heard and seen it before with Twitter Guru’s who talk about community, sharing, providing value — yet they won’t engage in a conversation with the everyman unless he shows interest in purchasing their services. I provide value in my tweets in the form of information, education, humor, empathy, support, insight and motivation. However the value I offer has to do with the entertainment industry. Perhaps this value is of no value to you. This might explain why you’ve never responded or replied to ANY tweet I’ve sent you. It’s totally understandable.
But your blog gives the connotation that you have unilaterally removed Twitterers who offer no value…period. And thus you do not endorse these Tweeps. However there is “zero value” and ”zero relevant value.” These things are very different. In the same way indie film tweets may have no value to you, your endorsement may have no value to others. But that’s neither here nor there.
To unfollow many followers is everyone’s right. But to blog about it, attempt to call-out Tweetdeck users as if they are doing something deceitful, detracts from your message of your desire to “build something truly powerful and show the world all the beauty we can bring…” Beauty starts with Hope.
Perhaps your blog would have been more insightful and inspirational if you titled it, “Why I Hope to Connect with the 45K People On Twitter That I Don’t Regularly Exchange Thoughts and Ideas With”
Tags: Social Media, twitter, why I unfollowed 45k followers on twitter
i’m following both you now b/c this is an excellent exchange
Hi Angelo,
Of course it showed up! I’m glad of your response because many people hesitate to state a dissenting view. You did so eloquently.
A couple things I’d like to clarify:
1st, I think Tweetdeck and other programs like it can be very useful tools to increase the value of communication. I have a problem with users following 50,60, or even 100k people and saying that they do so “to connect” when that simply isn’t the case. They’re following to get followers.
2, You’ve never sent me any tweets. The only time our names have interacted on Twitter is here:
http://twitter.com/#search?q=angelobell%20sethsimonds
In which you retweet a link from Chris Blake.
Our paths have never crossed. We’ve not spoken. I cannot say whether/not I find your tweets of value because today is the first time I’ve read any of them.
You are right about my post, in some ways. Yes, I could have been more specific about what I meant about Tweetdeck and how I went about the unfollow process and why I decided to unfollow everybody at once. I dropped 350 words in my final edit because I wanted the post to flow and figured I could explain myself more in the comments.
I like your idea for a new title. All except for the number. I knew I’d lose 15-20k by doing things this way. I really believe it’s the best thing to do though.
Thank you for taking the time to hit me up with your thoughts.
Guess what, Angelo. I’m following you on Twitter now. I hope, if you’re willing, we can talk some time. If you’d prefer I didn’t follow you, let me know, won’t you?
You write beautifully and, like you say, you have a lot of value to offer. I’m grateful that you’d take the time to make me aware of it!