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Social Media Issues: The Problem with Automated Twitter Posts
The Twitter feed
Twitter As a Social Media Tool
Twitter is a huge social media platform used daily as a way to share valuable content easily and quickly worldwide. Companies and individual users are turning to automated Twitter posts as a way to save time and multi-task, however there are issues with the new social media strategy.
Lack of Presence
Automation tools for Twitter include SocialOomph, HootSuite, and the new kid in town, Buffer. Advantages of timing when Tweets will be spewed onto the platform's feed, down to the minute, include:
- Users can pre-plan relevant information to share with followers
- No longer need to remember to update profiles, as it is programmed by the third-party applications
- One less thing for SEO managers to worry about!
With the automated posts, however, the social media user may not even be present at the moment the message hits the Twitter feed. The lack of presence translates into many problems for networking and building the client base.
The Timing May Be Off
Longer Response Times
When Tweets are automated by third-party applications, Twitter users have time freed for other ventures. Other professional projects can be pursued and personal activities carried out, without having to regularly open the network screen to keep up an online presence.
Not being present, however, likely means longer response times by users. Although Twitter operates in real-time, the user of HootSuite is not really present. If the Tweet sends at the preset time of 3:25pm, in the middle of the soccer game the user is coaching, how quickly will the user learn about the Retweets and comments to the message? The response time is likely longer than if the Tweet was actually sent at that moment by the actual user's typing fingers. If the user is coaching a soccer game at 3:25pm, response time will have to wait at least until there is a goal!
Do You...
Do You Automate Your Tweets?
Users Are Not At the Keyboards
A Fake Front
Another issue with the growing demand for the automation of Twitter is that a fake front is created. Followers and other users of the social media network may feel less connected to people HootSuite and other similar applications.
Here are some questions that may be asked by followers:
- If the user is not actually online at the moment, does that person stand behind his or her messages?
- Is there a passion behind the Tweets for the subject matter being shared?
- Does the user care about networking and creating real-time connections within the social media platform?
Another question may even be:
- Is the user who he or she actually claims to be?
Effective Twitter Use
While the automated tool is a time-saver and helps both businesses and individuals stay organized, the feature also lacks intimacy. The user who automates Tweets may see a lowering of interaction with Followers due to longer response times and the impersonal nature of the tools.
Users who balance automated Tweets with regular checking of the Twitter feed will be able to achieve a balance with personal interaction and real-time networking on the social media platform. Although preset messages are convenient, they cannot be the sole way that a user interacts on Twitter in order for his or her profile most effectively meet set goals.
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Comments
- Author
Jane, I totally understand what you mean. The automated tools do give us time to step away from the computer and be elsewhere. Balance is good. Thanks for the comment!
I do use a combo of scheduled and personal tweets as there are times that I'm not available to tweet. I actually prefer to tweet as I go...but that isn't always possible. Great Hub!
- Author
@Mary, I did not know the sharing button is missing from some hubs... oh dear! It does take time at Twitter to build up a larger following but all good things come with time :) I'm glad you learned about the automation process.
@dwachira, We each have our faves on social media, don't we?! I am on several networks and Twitter is one of my personal faves. Thanks for the votes and comment - and the share too!
@KDU, Glad you have now learned about the automated Tweets! See you in the social media world :)
I have mixed feelings about Twitter. I used to post my new Hubs, but I got very little traffic from them. I'm probably missing a great opportunity by not utilizing Twitter more than I do. I did not even know about these automatic tweet. Thanks for the info.
I voted this UP, etc. and will share. Oops, this is another Hub with NO share button. Have to do it later when it reappears.
Automation and scheduler options in Twitter is making it lose its humanly touch [my opinion], i feel more connected in other social media than on Twitter. Voted up, useful and shared.
Very informative! I honestly never knew about automated tweets up until now. I'm glad to know about the faults with automated tweeting. Thank you for sharing!
- Author
@rfmoran, Thank-you for offering the link back, very nice of you! Your hub sounds very useful and I will make sure to read it. You have a great approach and it sounds similar to what I outline here. Are we already connected on Twitter? I am @christybis
@Rose, Responding to the Tweets is so important and I agree that people appreciate the mentions and RTs. Your approach makes sense and I'm glad it is working well for you too.
@penlady, Absolutely! I try to answer questions that I receive within my hubs to help others navigate the online world. Thanks for the positive comment and the vote and share too!
Good points Christy - Balance is the issue. I automate dozens of tweets which contain useful information. They get retweeted like crazy. But I also log in a put my 2 cents in as well as retweet. I will be publishing a hub shortly that discusses using Twitter for business, including automation. I will link back to your excellent hub.
I agree that it's important to balance automated and real-time Twitter posts. There are certain topics that I love to schedule ahead of time at targeted traffic times. There are other topics that make more sense to post in real time so I can reply to follow up messages more quickly. I do always take time to follow up with all messages within 24 hours, which people do appreciate, regardless of the delay.
This hub provides wonderful and accurate information regarding social media. I really appreciate you taking the time to write a hub that helps us better understand how we, as participants of social media, can improve our skills. Voted up, useful and tweeted.
- Author
@Peggy, the connections that are available on Twitter are great for networking with people of similar interests. We each have our fave social media platforms, don't we. Thanks for stopping by to read today!
@Patti, Are you keeping busy with print publishing now? I haven't seen you around our circles lately.. I hope all is well. You'll find the balance soon, I'm sure :)
@Jake, Thank-you and you are welcome any time. Thanks for the votes too.
@Trinity, What a nice compliment! Social media is very interesting to me and I enjoy sharing what I learn. Your support is so nice to have here.
@Judith, How nice to see you here! I appreciate that you joined and hope you like the community. I find the support is very motivating and the feedback has been helpful for my writing. Take care and enjoy the ride!
@Josh, Thanks buddy. I have been on a string of social media posts and glad you like the latest one. Keep smiling :)
@Lord, finding the balance between automated Tweets and being online is not always easy. You are doing well on the Twitter side; see you there soon! Thanks for the comments.
@Teaches, your support here is wonderful. I am pleased that I am able to introduce new concepts to others here. Enjoy the rest of your weekend
Very interesting posting Christy. I generally only use Twitter to post any new hubs and mostly to tweet other people's hubs that I like. Other than that, I don't read the feed of Twitter posts. It is all about time. Voted up, interesting and will share.
You may some good points Christy! There is a balance that needs to be struck which I have not found yet! Thanks for giving me something else to think about, lol!
Very interesting hub with lots of useful information. I hope to continure reading your work. Liked, and rated Useful... Thanks
As always a very interesting and informative article Christy. You have really helped improve my lack of social media skills with your great hubs. Voted and very useful!
Lots of useful info here. I have used SocialOomph, stopped using it for a while, but may start again. I'm trying to find a balance between personal monitoring and convenience. Your wonderful articles have inspired me to join HubPages!
Christy,
Another very informative hub on social media! This is definitely becoming your niche I say! Keep up the great work! Your resaerch and ability to clearly express what you want to share with your audience is brilliant and impressive! Thanks for sharing!
Take care and have a great rest of your weekend!
Interesting Christy,
We do try to balance our presence and we will be checking our feed thoroughly. Is a give and take timing situation. Younger persons stay glued to it by the second, even when driving. Your article deserves attention though. Thanks for the reminder!
Lord
I am learning lots by reading these posts on twitter usage. I agree with you that intimacy is important when you want to connect with your readers. Voted up!
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