Most small online marketers do not fare well at Twitter because they fail to use the proper marketing methods. One powerful feature that comes with Twitter is the ability to send out a direct message to your followers, which can be further made more usable by simply using an autoresponder to send out a message to your new followers. The message you send out is just the beginning, and a nice greeting and ‘thanks for the follow’ will make a positive impression on people.
Never think that the regular internet surfer is very much aware of spam emails and scam promotions, etc. The first impression that you make on your followers is important, so avoid using the dollar sign in your direct message because that may just send out the wrong signal. Twitter is one place where it is most important to get the trust of those you are communicating with in your direct messages. But you will get feedback if you do send hype sounding offers, and it will be in the form of people hit the un-follow button. Remember your autoresponder has to be an introduction, greeting and thank you for the follow, nothing more. People are generally hip to the copywriting triggers that tug on their emotions, and they generally reject that sort of thing. In fact, we recommend just being relaxed and genuine with everybody, and that usually works quite well. If you know how to write pre-sell copy, then that is what you want to do because there is never any pressure. Think of this as any other site and market in which you need to discover how your audience talks and the words and expressions they use, etc. People are tired of the marketing games online, and they just want real value given by a real person. Look at your market and assess how well they are aware of marketing information and that approach.
Nothing can replace getting to know your followers, or trying to do that, and be active by commenting and asking questions of people. The main reason most people are there is because they want to socialize with others. You want your autoresponder messages to spark a dialogue with people, and never ignore anybody if they send you a message in response to yours. Never let a response from anybody sit there unanswered for more than a day or two. Yes, you will find other businesses following you, but still you should step up to the plate and make contact. The rules of behavior and approach with others at Twitter have been known for a long time, and it is just solid relationship building.