I suspect that over half of “over-active” tweeters aren’t returning the favour.

As my suspicions were growing strong; I decided to try a small experiment. After typing a few posts which could have been considered controversial; along with advertising my blog and personal websites; I wondered if anyone was reading anything.

I set out to add counters to every page of my websites. I wanted to see if any of my 850+ followers were reading. Many people I follow post an average of 30 messages each day. Most of those same people are also following me.

Results of the Experiment

In a 3-day time, I posted a few messages about my blog; a few about my website; and tried to start a few conversations. The people who responded to my conversations were the same people each time.

These people were not of the ones who post 30+ times each day. These people post very few times; and they usually have something original or useful to say.

When I tweeted about a “special” on my website; I went to the website and continued refreshing the page to see how many visitors were showing up. To my “un-surprise”, I averaged 2 from each post (out of my 800+ followers)

The Proof is in the Reading

When I started spending an hour at a time watching and reading the activity of Twitter; I read a few RTs (re-tweets); a few @s; but most of the messages were from the same group of people and contained a whole lot of “I”, “Me” and “My” in them. Ironically, there were some of those 30+ Tweeters who were complaining of being “un-followed”. I wonder why.

Now, I know that there are those who have written the secrets to successful “Twittering”; and they feel that a Tweeter needs to be out there – alive! I believe that too; however, Twitter is a two-way street. If you’re so busy Tweeting, how can you be reading too?

How about making it a fair game? If you want to be noticed as an “all about me” tweeter; well, you’ve mastered it. What you may or may not be thinking is that when you post all those times;, you keep the Twitter-feed scrolling; which makes other people, including yourself, miss something that might have been really important.

Put Down the Fingers; and Step Away from the Keyboard

Sometimes, “nice” can be given in small packages. If you really want to be known as a Tweet-hog; and lose your followers; then by all means, keep it up; otherwise, give it a rest.

Ignorant people stay ignorant most of the time, because they have too much output and not enough in-put. Do yourself and others a favor. Stop typing; and start reading what others are saying.