Twitter Followers | Facebook Likes

When many businesses start out using social media, they often focus on their number of Twitter followers, Facebook likes, etc. and desperately want to increase those numbers.  That’s why “services” that offer hundreds of thousands of new “real” followers for $5 or $150 can look like a good idea. (Spoiler alert: They’re not.)

Increasing your number of followers – or reach – can be instrumental in making your social media marketing more effective.  But, having more followers only helps if those followers are real people. You want followers who will notice you in their stream and be interested in what you have to say and sell.

Unfortunately, the Twitter followers you can buy are not real. They’re kind of like the “valuable” video clicks you can get from Buyral, as advertised in this (parody) video.

Don’t forget about your business’s real goals.  Your primary goal is probably to sell more of your product or service. In addition, you may have sub-goals that you think will help you get there – like increasing your reach in social media.

Think of it this way: If you’re a real estate agent, one of your goals may be to get more people to show up to your open houses. But, would it make sense to put an ad on Craiglist and offer to pay random people to show up to the open house? I doubt it, because your real goal is to sell the house. What are the odds that one of those people would buy that particular house, or that they’re even in the market for a house?

Getting more followers in social media can help your business get more sales, but only if you are gaining real, qualified followers.

What can buying followers get you?

• A higher number on your profile.  ...read more
• Less money in your budget.
• A lower conversion rate.  ...read more
• Bad press and/or snarky tweets.  ...read more
• Possibly hacked.  ...read more
• Possibly in trouble with Twitter or Facebook.
• You could easily be back where you started.  ...read more

In summary: At best, buying social media followers is a waste of money.

So, what are the alternatives? How can you get meaningful followers in social media?

• Be interesting  ...read more
• Post regularly
• Make the first move  ...read more
• Be social  ...read more
• Let people know
• Facebook ads  ...read more
• Promoted tweets  ...read more

So save your money, and possibly a few headaches: Don’t buy Twitter followers.  You’ll get much more out of your social media efforts by putting your resources towards quality content and engaging with people.

Have a question? Comment on the post, reply to this email, or call 1.800.AboutUs or 1.503.488.5763.

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Could your business use help with social media and creating great content? Check out the services we offer, and feel free to reply to this email or call 1.800.AboutUs ext. 3 for more info.

Cheers,
Kristina and the folks at AboutUs