Tools the big guys on Twitter use to create so much volume

If you’re on Twitter, you no doubt find yourself sometimes saying, “How do people like Guy Kawasaki, Chris Brogan, and the rest of those big guys tweet so much about so many different things?” [NOTE: I'm not claiming that any of these folks actually use these, but I do know some bigtime twitterati who do.]

Here’s how:
1. They use tools like Twitterfeed to broadcast their blog posts.
2. They use tweet schedulers like Tweetlater to schedule tweets in advance. They spend some time every morning… or maybe just once or twice on the weekends… and they go through and schedule tweets with links to interesting posts, reminders about some of their older posts they want to drive traffic to, etc. Some of their scheduled tweets are set up just to incite people to @ reply, retweet, or generally talk.
3. They cotweet. Cotweet allows a group of people to all tweet in one account. It even has some fancy features where you can assign tweets to one of the contributors, so that they will see it and be able to respond when they log in.

Think about it. Twitterfeed is automated, but how is having an assistant use Tweetlater and Cotweet on your behalf different from having an assistant answer your email in your name?

I don’t use this stuff, but you can well imagine that, if you were as busy as these guys are, you might need to if you wanted to still do your job and keep up the image of being a Twitter rock star.

Is that wrong? Does it make Twitter less interactive or genuine? Or, is that just a smart move on their parts?

99 Total TweetBacks: (Tweet this post)

en: @VivianaJonas You know, I will have some absents on High School haha that's great. Just like 3 or 2 days. 07/08/09 06:59am
en: :)RT @shaydechelle: CHURCH. RT @_huny: #turnoffs stop playing games. you're hot, you're cold. I require attention. give it to me or fuck off 07/08/09 06:59am
en: @oliviamunn 17 or so more hours if you had a good nights sleep before starting! 07/08/09 06:59am
en: @sammiefgt @icameasbrock @ItsJuggy the new harry potter looks sooo gooood and not nerdy in any way shape or form.... 07/08/09 06:59am
nl: @CheeHsien where u now? KL or Penang? http://twurl.nl/7p3qzs 07/08/09 06:58am
en: cause of candyman's death: hung by lickerish rope. "the odd thing is he had one hanging on his uh... lollipop too!" suicide?or conspiracy? 07/08/09 06:58am
en: What do you think about Affiliate Marketing..worth the effort or not..let me know... 07/08/09 06:58am
en: I'm so annoyed that people will get offended or judge me if I CHANGE MY MIND. #Idon'tcarewhatyouthink 07/08/09 06:58am
en: People are going to be criticized no matter what they do or say. I think its so sad that people feel ok treating others like that. 07/08/09 06:56am
en: mind you, they were only bots or people w.out pics for the longest . 07/08/09 06:56am
en: Is it me or does Toby Anstis sound like a gay 07/08/09 06:56am
en: Building a new house or extending, show this to your architect Reducing Carbon Emissions: A Guide For Architects http://tinyurl.com/mo26nk 07/08/09 06:56am
en: #nothingpersonal but i'm tired of seeing people wear these rosary beads. these kids don't even know what Catholicism is or even how to spell 07/08/09 06:56am
en: @BiGG8ME23 Yep we going around 4:30 or so.. 07/08/09 06:56am
en: before omarion releases a single, drop an album or do any publicity plzzzzz have sum hair on that head 07/08/09 06:56am
en: @DestinyMonique I told u...lol... u hv to get rid of the spiders or u will get very ugly prose on ur beautiful body hun....be careful 07/08/09 06:56am
en: @chasepino gah i hate that. Or when it comes out but slow. Lol 07/08/09 06:56am
en: question of the day.. who's the better discovery channel host, Mike Rowe or Ben Bailey? 07/08/09 06:55am
en: OR ANYONE WANT A TWITTER LAYOUT? 07/08/09 06:55am
en: Chinese lady @ # 4 and is not over-friendly or nosy... good thing to be, for a neighbour. # 3 over-friendly couple given up on us thank god. 07/08/09 06:55am
en: @MarvelousBlueJ im more of an r&b lover like joe or mos def b. mcknight but i love that grimy music too so idk haha 07/08/09 06:55am
en: @trainingfactor Programming speak for a list put in a variable. It's like a shopping basket. You can use specific items in the basket or all 07/08/09 01:37am
en: mann am i smart or what? lol. =) woot woot! 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @brightflashburn Oh, honey. If I knew you irl, I'd be hugging you right now, people-phobia or no. 07/08/09 01:37am
: PS: Payback for the pranks. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @designhergal @momfluential If its just me I read, grab a gd comedy DVD, or head to beach. W.GFs go 4 dinner& a gabfest #designhergal #GNO 07/08/09 01:37am
en: dey say "drunkn' words are sober thoughts"..so wat i said 2 u last nite was jus me being real or wat i call sober thoughts..lolzs 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @AnastasiaVanite HEH HEH Yep: BTBW and BoW for Black or White and RoF for Ring of Fire and PTFM for Play That Funky Music, etc. :) 07/08/09 01:37am
en: I work in my home. I need report and check the model and clean up room , work out or yoga.I'm little busy day. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @DeArronEasley Famous alum?!?! Surely I am *not* in that category. They better hit up Magic! Or @flintstone14 for some cash! 07/08/09 01:37am
en: RT @GMiMs It really dont matter #turnoff or #turnon, the #TruthIs it all starts to goes out the window or change when ur really digging sum1 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @CvMarvelous n thts how i get thru the day!! or evening n nite to be exact lol 07/08/09 01:37am
pt: @maestrobilly To be or not to be? Cheguei a pensar que o corpo de MJ nem estava mais na urna mortu 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Red shoes or purple shoes? That is the question... 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @ajconcepcion shop fix or tweak fix? 07/08/09 01:37am
en: when your children get hurt, emotional or physical, it's a bittersweet reminder that as a parent you cannot protect them from living life 07/08/09 01:37am
en: my nights are boring w the Mets hurting so bad. i dont know if i miss winning or trash talking. oh how i loooove trash talking. lol 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Yes Yes! I not only encourage, but I EMPOWER all of you to say and do things that may or may not get your ass kicked in my name! ;-) 07/08/09 01:37am
en: I love putting on my ipod and jacking it up to where I have blocked out any sound from the outer world -- screaming kid -- or whatever! #gno 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @vavroom Is that the same problem some policewomen experience, or firefighters, or many other professions? Harassment isn't specifically IT 07/08/09 01:37am
en: dont know whether to be sad or happy about selling off the kl's house ): hate the house here. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: "I like Him, He loves me, Or at Least that's what he said. He's messed up so Much, He's trying to Raise us from the Dead... 07/08/09 01:37am
en: just a thought. MJ, is in heaven or hell tonight & his status as a great entertainer & his ability to show love has nothing to do with it! 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @aquarian216 MJ special? New one or repeat? 07/08/09 01:37am
it: or ddlovato 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @ddlovato You have every right to say what you feel or what you think. Sometimes people overreact for no reason. Love "One and the same"! 07/08/09 01:37am
en: would be neat: roll-over twitter avatar to see shared friend/follower stats. you could calculate how many new peeps a RT or @ would catch 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @Rena_Blaine sounds like a chill fun night believe it or not 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @gatmog @b4gamedesign Look, speaking as a very cynical person, I have to believe it can get better or everything I'm doing is just a waste. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: finished my hw early. waiting for some sort of dinner to be served or to go out. im rather hungry. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @onefinebreeder I'm not a parent, but I am an infant and toddler teacher and we usually do that at 8 or 9 months 07/08/09 01:37am
en: get ready. the election is started. get a shower first or just go through the election place? 07/08/09 01:37am
en: #turnon cellphones idk why but I need a different one every 3 months or so 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Someone came to my register an asked me for a medium then got offended when asked if they wanted popcorn or a drink. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: all i need is an empty space to shoot in on a sat/sun that doesnt cost me 3k in or around nyc - why is this so hard to find!? help por favor 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Tired of people dramatically whining "why mourn Michael Jackson? Who's mourning [insert other dead people]? IT'S NOT EITHER/OR, MORONS. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: So full! Dang mean. Rudy said "dang! Lemme ask u sumthin, do u eat to live or do u live to eat?!" haha. I live to EAT. Muahahaha. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Open the door to your future. Join Discovery Toys. I'll help you! www.atoymom.com or call me at 901-461-5744 07/08/09 01:37am
en: #turnoff a woman with ugly feet...please tell me ur a dancer or gymnast...Because with those, u can drive a car in Bedrock... 07/08/09 01:37am
en: just finished 'naked economics'.. if you didn't get or enjoy econ in school, read this book (rec from @dannysauter) 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @arthurjuarez and another question photo realistic or more abstract surrealist type of pop art ? 07/08/09 01:37am
en: REady Or Not Fugees...that was the Jackson 5..who knew that? 07/08/09 01:37am
en: frustrated trying to link FB to Twitter, or Twitter to FB ....argh 07/08/09 01:37am
en: www.vdv.cc Our USP system offers you a number of services, like adding a URL to any of our 528 domains, or getting your UBIEE SUPERsplas ... 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @Ines oooh..I know that one...it's the toxic waste sign! hazardous or whatever...lol 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Aint been on here all day, aint miss shit bout to delete this prolly or jus stop comin on 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Wants to watch either Eagle Eye or Big Daddy.....help me out!! 07/08/09 01:37am
en: This UFC 100 Countdown is AWESOME. I hope they release this as a Blu-Ray or DVD. Royce v. Kimo is on now. #ufc 07/08/09 01:37am
en: RT @pikestaff: Calvin & Hobbes + Trigun: Great picture, or greatest picture? http://yfrog.com/5936kj 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @gatlyngun go to sleep right now or get an alarm 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @oliverue on the rocks or blended? #gno 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @alliecine do it, just make sure to set an alarm, or have @robgokeemusic call you in a few mins 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @misterwallace Wallace do you know or believe in 'the law of attraction' by chance? 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Seriously, this is either a great or terrible idea. After these dry, it's time for baking soda. This is the penalty for not wearing socks. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: i watched the baywatch show when i was like 4. or whatever, pam was hot then, she still is lmao. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: If u need a new job or want to make a change, list your skill sets and determine what other industries have a need for your skills. 07/08/09 01:37am
en: #turnon, a dude who can cook. I'm not ya maid or ya mother don't expect me 2 cook 7days of the week 07/08/09 01:37am
en: There are companies in the hiring mode. Check out our blog for a list of them tinyurl.com/njyrlb or go to yourhirepower.org and take a look 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @marceldion hey marcel how did u feel about mj today? omg i wish i had an interview with u or the whole 2much 07/08/09 01:37am
en: I have 4 hours between landing at LAX from my trip to Europe in Oct & a huge event I am helping to produce...Switch my flight or chance it? 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @StarrNyce maybe exactly 'a lick' Poor Blanket :/ with that lil nekkid doll Its still uber sad for them whether they're blood or not 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Getting tattooed tonight for the first time by my stud boyfriend this is either going to be fun or awful we will see 07/08/09 01:37am
en: You could live life safe and conservative or you could take risk and enjoy the ride! Your choice! 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Oh dear... Super Dilemma... Cricket or BF1943 tonight... Anyone that knows me, it's a tough choice... 07/08/09 01:37am
en: @KatieSimpson24 do you mean the EB QEW? Or was the 403 closes too? 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Heathy Heart Eating Use extra virgin olive oil as opposed to butter or margarine. #NutritionTips 07/08/09 01:37am
en: #turnoff how niggas say , "i'mma ass man" or "i'mma tittie man" if yu pick between one or tha other yur HALF GAY ! 07/08/09 01:37am
en: Please make her stop talking. No more questions or random comments please. 07/08/09 01:36am
en: is it just moi or is @ddlovato the like the other braindead tweens trying to be intelligent? *shudder* please disappear here :) 07/08/09 01:36am
en: I dont know whats better? That 70s Show or That 70s Show 07/08/09 01:36am
en: @michelledurham watching 10 things tonight? PS last night's make it or break it had that delish British dude last night. More of him pls! 07/08/09 01:36am
en: Is it just me or does Taking Back Sunday have some of the catchiest lines in songs 07/08/09 01:36am
en: @BrentDPayne Can u grow hair or r u really bald :) (via @SeanGolliher) -- I tried to grow hair for 45 days. It didn't look good. #Horseshoe 07/08/09 01:36am
en: idk if i love this feeling or i hate this 07/08/09 01:36am
en: My car smells like pickles today. I don't know whether to be amused or concerned about this. 07/08/09 01:36am
en: Since it's in the summer, I wonder if this is a 1-season deal. I'll probably watch it in a rerun if there's nothing good on Bravo or TLC. 07/08/09 01:36am
en: @ambernicoleac it was good i thought it wuldve been an hour tho like make it or break it and secret life. 07/08/09 01:36am
en: RT @badnewsbrandon i seriously don't know if its tuesday or wednesday. --> that mad me lol haha 07/08/09 01:36am
en: #turnon..... When a dude bites his bottom lip...or has a sexy smile like @songzyuuup...Follow him!!!! 07/08/09 01:36am

Tags: Chris Brogan, cotweet, Guy Kawasaki, tweetlater, Twitter, twitterati, twitterfeed

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 12:37 pm and is filed under Appearance, Twitter, social media, social networking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Jared O'Toole

I can't say it is wrong. The tools are there for the taking. Most of that stuff isn't that bad. The only bad thing i would say about tweetlater is if you spend 1hr a week lining all your tweets up. Then you never look back to see @replies or add in some current news.

But overall they just make people more efficient.

David Crandall

I don't mind when people use these apps for Twitter, what bugs me is when they use them to create a constant flow of Twit-spam. There are a few people I have followed because they have some value in their updates, but because of the sheer volume of Twits...I have un-followed them. I don't have time to read 20 updates from one person; it just seems to lose it's value for me. Plus, I think it totally loses the personal touch at that point.

However, for those that use these tools and still stay within a reasonably believable number of updates, I think they are great tools. It's finding the balance that I think is difficult.

Kort

Food for thought Eric, thanks!

Eric Pratum

Thanks, Kort. And, thanks for interacting so much here and on Twitter. :-)

@JoeHobot

It's not the tools it's their profiles before that , I mean people that are engaged with techy audience for 10 years and know lots of people online, all they really have to do is click invite button and invite 5000-10000 people once you get that many u know the rest of it it's up to them how they are tweeting, Chris Brogan even tho he has well over 50K followers /following he takes time to answer and replay to most of them, where some people with 10x less followers don.t (its called socializing).

But then again Bobbi Billard who is xxx girl , has 1.3 million friends on MySpace yet only 3.500 followers , why? I don't know!

Eric Pratum

Very good point. Some people are interesting regardless of how interactive they are, and I would definitely give it to Guy & Chris that they are very engaging. I have been surprised many times about getting @ replies from Guy.

Thanks for the comment :-)

Kashif

I used twitterfeed to submit my blog posts to Twitterati as I have number of blogs running and its not possible for me to manually do this. I personally feel its not a bad thing to do :)

http://ericpratum.com

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