Facebook is a fun place to connect and socialize (digitally anyway). We’re there to simply connect, network, and have fun (sharing photos, events, etc.). I suppose you can say the same about Twitter. But how do you decide who to connect with?
I Don’t Friend Logos:
I have a simple rule: I don’t “friend” logos. Why? Here are a few reasons…
- First off, it’s too impersonal,
- (In most cases) all I get is spam in the form of blatant self-promotional Tweets or event invitations,
- It feels awkward talking to an unrecognizable logo (I wanna see who’s behind the logo). Unless, you’re a brand like Coca-Cola, it’s not gonna work…
How About You?
Do you set any restrictions on who you decide to “Friend” or “Follow” across different social networks? Do you use a logo to differentiate between your regular and business accounts? If so, what’s been your experience?
Unless I know who's behind the logo, I generally don't “friend” it/them. If I see some viable, non-link-pushing interaction, then I'm more flexible on it. One of the best examples (on Twitter) is for @ProfessionalOne. Michael doesn't use a photo; just his corporate logo. However, he's exceedingly engaging and has become someone whom I respect a great deal (having met “IRL,” I'd go so far as to say that we're friends). For the most part, however, talking to a logo just seems … sterile. I don't want to talk to widgets; I want to talk to PEOPLE.
Re: “Unless I know who's behind the logo, I generally don't 'friend' them…”
Totally agree with you there. And @ProfessionalOne is a perfect example of someone who's the exception here. He totally engages all the time and hardly ever do I see a self-promotional tweet come out of him (he's giving all the way and frankly I think that sort of thing/behavior is rare).
Re: “I don't want to talk to widgets; I want to talk to PEOPLE.”
Well said!
I tell my clients (& prospective clients the same thing). It looks amateurish to throw a logo (or a picture of your building) up there and expect people to “connect” with your brand. Faces rule!
Monique: I have to agree, pictures make a big difference in making a good first impression and establishing a good connection! Unless you're a big brand like Coca-Cola, it's very difficult to connect.
Hey Ricardo,
While I don't have a hard and fast rule for who I connect with, I much prefer those with a real picture. It really does feel more personal. And that's what connection is all about!!
By the way…you ROCK at that whole connection thing!
Hiya Lance! Great to see you here 🙂
I'm with you, I tend to prefer a real picture because generally speaking, it's what connects you with the person. And after all, isn't this what it's all about? Connecting with an actual person?
Thanks for the visit Lance! Hope all is well 🙂
This is a good conversation, though I don't follow this practice at all! I have a 2nd twitter handle for a personal blog on religious topics. I would say 90% or more of the folks I'm following have logos. Why? Because whatever they represent (their church, their religious order or university) is seen as more important than they are as an individual. Yes, it's nice to be personal but I respect that they feel that what they're doing is bigger than themselves. And I suspect that they're right.
Hi Ricardo, first of all: I generally agree. (I only follow one logo I think, and that was because it was interacting so nicely :))
But I would like to hear you and your readers opinion, what should a small company of, say, five people do? Should the CEO “be” the company, like Brian Clark is @copyblogger and John Jantsch is @ducttape?
What about less internet savvy companies where the CEO thinks he is too busy for that? If he wants to delegate the Twitter account? I don't really have a good answer.