We've all seen them. People and brands spamming and begging for everything from clicks, follows, likes, +1's, pins and comments. They often think they are being creative or avoiding looking like a spammer if they vary the time of day or words used.
Spammers are fooling few.
The truth is if you are using social media to beg for Facebook likes, Twitter follows, LinkedIn contacts, website views or other, we know it.
People who spam think they are fooling people. I know many who even fool themselves into believing they are using proven tactics.
Spam does not = results!
Yes, your spamming tactics may help you get a few clicks. Purchasing Facebook fans or Twitter followers may even help you increase the size of your fake community. They may even fool a few folks into signing up as your customer to help them do the same as they are drinking your fake social proof Kool-aid.
However, I challenge any business leader, self proclaimed social media guru, social media expert or other to a head to head comparison of results of taking the same time to invest in real people, real content and relationships that are nurtured via such.
You can't go wrong by investing in people. You can't go wrong by helping them achieve their goals and improve their business or life.
Yes, you can fake some folks out. You can create fake social proof. You can get fools to click on your spammy LinkedIn messages or tweets. However, you have to question who are you really fooling? Are you fooling the right people? Or are the real people you want to click, like and engage the ones deleting, ignoring and possibly even reporting you to the social network cops as spam?
Eventually spamming ways, fake social proof and a strategy based on influence scores alone is going to catch up to you!
The “Pet My Pig” Campaign
I have been cracking up recently since LinkedIn launched the new endorsements. I had finally had enough the other day. When brainstorming with our team I came up with an idea to help these spammers. Instead of hitting ignore or delete I am going to nicely push them to some helpful and relevant content.
It's too confusing and too much for words right now. I think it is better if you experience it for yourself.
By clicking here or on the link below you will be taken to the campaign. There is no forced opt-in or spammy tricks to worry about.
You will simply be taken to the same page I will send spammers to.
Here is how it works:
1. I receive a spam message or tweet.
2. I will open the spam if the spammer is lucky.
3. If I happen to read it and have a few seconds to spare then I will respond to the message with something something similar to the following:
Thank you for your invitation to like your Facebook page, check out your blog or website or follow you on Twitter.
I'd be happy to consider doing all of the above if you will please pet my pig.
It will only take you a few seconds. Please click the link below to pet my pig.
Thanks,
Pam
3. When they arrive at the “Pet My Pig” landing page they will be instructed to “Pet the Pig.”
4. Upon completion of petting the pig they will get another page that offers a good reality check. It provides them a friendly reminder that their social tactics are equivalent to spam.
5. They will also have the option to download a whitepaper “15 Tips to Eliminate Spam From Your Social Media Diet” loaded with tips to help them develop a social media strategy and cut spam out of their social media diet!
So bottom line I am having a little fun while helping them out too.
Try it! You know you want to!
So go ahead… test it out. You know you want to pet the peg too!
Feel free to send your spammer friends there too. It's a great way for you to educate them and let me be the bad spammer cop nut! ;)
Simply send them to www.petmypig.com and I'll take care of the rest.
