When I first discovered there were APIs that would allow me to schedule tweets, I thought I was in Twitter Heaven. I could schedule a time to tweet everything I wanted ahead time, and I’d never have to worry about missing an opportunity to promote my site. (Yeah, I was still residing in Spamville back then.) So I scheduled my list of tweets and didn’t think twice about it…until I noticed a few followers started dropping off.
I was baffled for a moment until I ran across a follower whose profile only had a repeating rotation of the same tweets, posted at the same times everyday from an API. In fact, I couldn’t find anything recent that hadn’t come from the API. This person hadn’t posted anything live in months. Almost everything there was either spam or blatant self promotion. No replies or interactions with other users, no original non-link posts of his own – I began to wonder, is this even real human? And worse, if I continued scheduling all of my tweets is this what people will find when they venture to my profile?
As if that wasn’t enough of a sign, that very same day someone in my stream posted something to the effect of: “I can’t hear you over all these APIs!” I can’t remember who said this, but I got the message. It was an eye-opening experience and made me rethink my practices and the purposes for scheduling tweets in the first place. But clearly, there are some benefits to scheduling that your followers will actually appreciate.
1. To allow you to spread your tweets throughout the day:
Scheduling tweets can be a good thing, it allows you to spread your tweets over the course of a day without flooding the Twittersphere with back-to-back tweets. I find it annoying when one person decides to dump a thousand tweets in row and then leave. So what you’ve only got a few minutes to log on, interact and reply to all your @mentions. You’re hogging up the airwaves! No one else can get through and really after the 8th or 9th tweet in a row, no one’s listening to you anymore anyway.
So schedule your tweets so that you can spread them out evenly so you don’t over-tweet in a short period of time. I do this especially when I’ve got several replies or RTs that I want to post – it allows me to still interact with others, but without dominating all the space. They still see their mentions and no one has to complain because my face keeps popping up and drowning everyone else out.
2. To allow you to tweet during peak hours:
This always you to be more visible at a time when more people are actually there to notice your tweets. If you know you won’t be available during those high traffic times, schedule your tweets so that they appear then. But don’t schedule them at exactly the same time every single day. It’s okay to post a tweet at 5:22pm, it doesn’t have to always be 5:00pm. If you have several tweets to post, spread them out – schedule no less than 15 minutes apart. Your followers will thank you for that.
Scheduling tweets is not a substitute for authentically engaging others on Twitter, it simply makes it easier for you to do so in the least evasive way. You should still respond to and retweet other’s updates/content. At least 50% of what you tweet should be someone else’s work, although 60% is probably better.
So which API platform is the best to use for scheduling tweets? I’ve been using HootSuite – it’s multi-dimensional and allows me also to schedule updates for Facebook and other social network sites. I love it the most because it allows me to have access to all of my favorite social sites in one neat place.
What is your favorite Twitter API with scheduling capabilities?
Are there other valid (non-annoying) reasons for scheduling tweets that I’ve overlooked here?
@alexasamuels
Kiesha, I too am a big fan of scheduling tweets for the reasons you cite. Another benefit is the ability to manage the mix of the types of tweets. I like to thank my followers; by scheduling in advance I can mix those with tweets that share links, leaving me free to RT as and when.
My fave tool is socialoomph.com. I can schedule and track, but I also get emails a few times a day which capture tweets for my keywords – stuff I may not otherwise see. Moreover, the guy who runs it periodically sends his subscribers advice and explanations. Very human.
Thanks for the post!
@fionaRG
Hi Kiesha,
I agree with the benefits of scheduling tweets. I can only be on twitter sporadically throughout the day, so a few scheduled tweets makes sure I don’t flood the twittersphere.
I tend to schedule 3-4 per day as I feel more than that would be too much, and would leave no room for any spontaneous RTs or mentions.
I like FutureTweets.com – it’s easy to use. Only does Twitter though.
@kbloemendaal
I personally don’t schedule any Tweets, but I am at my computer most of the day (and the night sometimes!) so I am a believer in Tweeting as you are available.
If you can’t be at your computer all day, I understand the OCCASIONAL scheduled Tweet, but I have unfollowed people that schedule 5-6 tweets per hr with links to older posts I already have seen a hundred times.
Scheduling a few tweets to go out in the middle of the night to grab the attention of followers you may have in other time zones seems ok too, but again I don’t think it is necessary to Tweet for self promotion too much. If you engage with people, you won’t need to self promote as much…. just my opinion though.
@krenee76
Hi Keith,
I actually agree with you – I’m not talking about overdoing this and going crazy with. I generally schedule tweets from my own blog 2 -4 hours apart – and that’s on days when I feel it’s something noteworthy. What I’m talking about is scheduling RTs of other people’s to spread it out so that you’re not flooding the stream, not scheduling a bunch of old post – which I also dislike. I think that only works when it’s an older post that’s dealing with a current trend or issue – not just a random old post everyone has already viewed 50 times.
You’ve got good points for sure.
Great advice. And thank goodness you don’t believe in the Guy Kawasaki method “I’m sending out all my tweets three times a day and I don’t care if that looks spammy to you” ( http://answerguy.com/2009/11/17/guy-kawasaki-owns-your-inbox-business-change/ ).
Jeff Yablon
President & CEO
Answer Guy and Virtual VIP Computer Support, Business Change Coaching and Virtual Assistant Services
Answer Guy and Virtual VIP on Twitter
@flashtweetapp
Very useful advice. All those with tweet scheduling worries should read this through.
@crazydeelz
It depends what type of twitter account your running, for me i run two twitter accounts one for the bulk of my automated tweets and the other for more personal and interactive tweets. I couldn’t do without automated tweets as i have so many blogs which are all hooked into Twitter.
As for automated applications HootSuite is okay but i prefer to make use of automated wordpress plugins to do the bulk of my tweets.
@NEMultimedia
I’ve really been deliberating this lately, and wondering how to do it while staying engaged with those I’m following, and who are following us. Engagement is the most important part of Twitter, but it’d be nice to be able to get away from my desk for a few hours and STAY engaged.
Great post, great advice. Thanks.
Michelle Quillin for New England Multimedia & Q web Consulting
@krenee76
Hi Bill! I keep hearing about this Wordpress Plug-in, I’m going to have to check it out.
@mikestenger
Great points, I definitely think that scheduling tweets isn’t really a bad thing. I do it a few times throughout the day. When it gets bad is when you schedule EVERYTHING and then don’t interact or engage with ANYBODY.
You can’t build relationships with automatic tools, period. That’s why you gotta get in there and engage yourself.
@Talagy
I agree – great points. Scheduling tweets is helpful and convenient, especially when you’re tweeting from a company platform. It allows you to take a few minutes to focus on the content you want to tweet about and plan ahead of time. However, no substitute for the real thing – you should definitely plan to jump in and join the party a few times a day to talk, engage, and reply!
@HumanWorks
Scheduling posts is really cool especially if twitter is a marketing tool for you.
Personally I use social whale (http://socialwhale.com/) which offers scheduled posts and other cool stuff such as new followers/quitters, etc.
@gloson
Another reason to schedule tweets is that you can make friends with people from another timezone.
One twitter friend I know doing this is @adamsconsulting. As she explained in her blog post, she schedules tweets to be sent when she is sleeping, and makes friends with people who reply or retweet her tweets.
@TheCoolestCool
Whats the point of social media? Being social, having dialogue… Whats the point of sending out scheduled tweets? Getting your name out there in front of people and having monologue. You can’t automate engagement with people and do it with sincerity. If the whole point of being on twitter is to create new relationships then you’re going about it the wrong way through automation.
Now don’t get me wrong – there isn’t anything wrong with having one or two pre-set tweets here and there. But when your entire existence relies on twitter feeds and scheduled tweets you’re doing more damage than good. What do you do when someone sees your tweet and tries to strike up conversation about that link? Maybe tweet at them 18hrs later?
Yeah that looks great…
@joel_hughes
Hi,
this is a sensitive subject but I think scheduling tweets makes sense – i think you just need to respect the audience and repeat/schedule selectively.
I created http://tweko.com so that you can selectively repeat certain tweets (e.g. “repeat a tweet two times, five hours apart”) – this is good for handing the US/EUROPE differences. All you need to do is to sign up (free), set your repeat preferences and then include the #tweko hashtag – the tweet will then be scheduled.
..there was another app which seemed to allow you to delay a tweet from the command line (e.g. DM a certain account) but I can’t find it at the moment. This kinda thing is good for me as I tweet via my Blackberry a lot – no fancy client like Hootsuite
Joel
@krenee76
Hi Ross
I understand what you’re saying, but maybe you’ve misunderstood – a dialogue is still happening, it’s just being spread out so that it doesn’t annoy everyone else. I would never condone simply automating tweets – that’s not what I said here – I said schedule, there’s a difference.
There’s no misunderstanding. What dialogue takes place when you’re at the mall and your scheduled tweets are going out? None.. Well, inless you have your phone open and are waiting for interaction. But thats unlikely.. You see, there is no dialogue unless you’re sitting there checking back and forth between twitter and whatever else you’re doing.
And the only difference between automated and scheduled tweets is the term. Both are tweets sent out when a user isn’t actually present. Social media is about creating real, honest relationships. As one blogger put it, “If you try to shortcut social media, you’re shortcutting relationship building.”
@joel_hughes
Hi Ross,
a) many people have their Blackberry/iPhone so could respond immediately (if required)
b) many people would not expect an immediate response. And a delayed response does not mean a missed connection. We’re all busy people after all.
Joel
@krenee76
Hi Joel,
Thank you for making this point – I believe that’s the beauty of social media: the ability to connect at a convenient time. I don’t mind delayed replies – sometimes they are welcomed reminders.
@Joel — Twitter is a social tool (key word – social), ultimately used for interaction and engagement. If you schedule your tweets and are rarely around to respond – You aren’t there to engage…You’re there to get clicks.
@krenee76
@Ross – I understand there are people that are there for just clicks, but I don’t use Twitter to solely promote. I am in fact there to engage, I post both live tweets and scheduled tweets and I schedule them so that they don’t all show up at once. I check in often, but isn’t unrealistic to attempt to be on Twitter 24/7? When exactly are you supposed to engage people offline?
@joel_hughes
Hi Ross,
I get you. However, as you say “and are rarely around to respond”…I’m always around to respond…Blackberry glued to my hand…if you don’t believe me ask my wife
Let’s look at it another way; if someone rings up a helpline and gets an answer phone, leaves a message, and then gets a prompt response the next day – then most people would be happy with that level of service. But it does depend on the context…if the message was “we’re on the shop, please call in…” then poor show, if the message was “Hey! we looking for your opinion on X” then fine…like many things it depends on context.
Engagement & interaction are defo key…but not necessarily immediate imho.
Saying that I don’t schedule tweets very often – like a specialist tool I use it when the occasion demands.
Nice chattin’ to you.
Joel
@twetninjamaster
I think scheduling tweets is a very viable option. The problem is when it is nothing but a spam tweet with a link to a business opportunity or sales page or something every time. It’s great to be visible but don’t be a visible pain in the ass. Give people some real, helpful or entertaining information. Spare the spam…keep the follower!
@Toocreative
On almost all projects I use a combination if live and scheduled tweets. If done cleverly, scheduling tweets can indeed help gain exposure during peak times and save enormous amounts of time.
I use tweetadder for some stuff, but usually stick to hootsuite for all the scheduled tweets.
Has anyone heard if tweetdeck will begin allowing the scheduling of updates?
@joel_hughes
Hi,
I thought of something the other day which I wanted to add to this…
As mentioned earlier I don’t have a problem with scheduled tweets however, sometimes such scheduled tweets come out when a major news item breaks (e.g. Chilean Earthquake) – in these cases it might be worth temporarily suspending scheduled tweets until the dust has settled. Otherwise you might look a little heartless and/or blinkered.
Joel
@techhelp101
Totally agree. I had been stuck with around 475 followers for a while and couldn’t understand it. But then I realized that my tweets were way too close together and most people just weren’t seeing value. So now I schedule a re-tweet of a great post every fifteen minutes (ending at Midnight and starting at 8 AM), three philosophy tweets every day, and of course still go onto the actual Twitter and socialize.
I use Hootsuite. I think it’s definitely the best program.
After doing this for three days, my Twitter following has increased by sixty, which is more than I had gotten in the past month or so! Thanks, great post.
@audioturntable
@Ross
What I’d touch on in replying has already been said basically (how actually, it’s NOT taking away from the social component). But one thing in particular was noted. In response to “Maybe tweet at them 18hrs later?” That’s soooooo small-minded.
So what do you think, everyone on Twitter who would have a response to something you said is on EST or sitting in Sydney, or whatever timezone?
The reality is that Twitter is INTERNATIONAL, and if someone replies to you and you’re sleeping at the time, well, so be it. And this scenario is true even for people with not a single automated tweet in their stream.
@Jan — I’ve read your comment twice but still don’t see where you express the reasoning for calling my comment small minded. You make the claim but you don’t really back it up.
I have developed tons of relationships and made friends living everywhere from Australia to France to Spain – You name it, I’ve got it. I don’t have to schedule my tweets to reach these people; I’m a firm believer that if you’re providing good content – they will find you.
Don’t take the lazy way out.
@audioturntables
@Ross
I’ve never said that you have to schedule tweets in order to create or even nurture these relationships. That’s not the point at all. What I was addressing was the fact that it SEEMED that your position is one where folks have to be tied to Twitter all the time – because “goodness forbid someone should be forced to wait 18 hours for their @you to be replied to *gasp*”.
Not everyone is on Twitter all.the.time – period. If you hold onto the belief system that you have to be there 100% of the time, you then are becoming not “more social” but more a slave to the platform.
Again, these points are NOT being made in support of scheduling (since, as I’d stated last time, these are also considerations to be made for folks who don’t schedule a single tweet) – it’s more to do with the approach to twitter and the mindset around how black and white peoples viewpoints can be about it sometimes.
@ricklondon
I use a combination of scheduled tweets, promoting my stores, my wife’s, close circle of friends, charities, and animal/nature causes. There is no way I could do it manually at one time, and, I’d lose every follower, as the author said. My friends/followers may at times find the irritating, but my following continues to grow. I personally engage whenever I am at the computer. i NEVER send DM links or direct tweets to any particular Twitterer. That is spam. What I do is scheduled tweets; the same as Twitter does with their advertising program. I still get complaints, but those are usually from those who a. have no lives, b. tweet to themselves c. have decided they just don’t like me (can’t please everyone). But I love my following and they seem to get along with me. Oh, and I have used hootsuite, it was great for awhile until Twitter limited their output (now they charge for it) so we use Twaitter only. It does the trick. Thanks, Rick