If this Friday you’re preparing your Follow Friday lists, please stop for a moment and consider these few points:
1. Have you ever followed someone because you saw them on a Follow Friday list?
2. Have you ever got more followers as a result of being on a Follow Friday list?
3. Have you ever learnt anything new, been inspired or done something different because of a Follow Friday list?
4. Have you ever used the #ff hashtag to find people to follow?
For those who aren’t familiar with Follow Friday (or #ff as it is often shortened to) it started many moons ago as a way of Twitter users to recommend people to follow. It sounds all well and good in principal, but what it has been turned in to is people putting out tweets with long lists of people they like, but giving no reason why. These lists often have six or seven people on them, and I receive about five every Friday. I never click through on any of the links to the other people, and they never gain me any new followers. What’s worse is now Charity Tuesday has started so I see the same long lists on Tuesdays too.
I have followed people on Twitter because someone else has recommended them, but there has always been a reason given to follow them by the tweeter. In addition they have never been part of a list. They’re usually just one name, which makes it much more manageable. This might be:
Follow @funnybloke for his gags that are brightening up my day and making my ribs ache
Follow @journalistontheground for the news you won’t hear on the TV
Follow @greatcharitylass her inspiring thoughts and stories have propelled me in to action
To be honest I suspect most people put out #ff tweets not for the purpose of gaining new followers, as was originally intended, but as a way to say hi to their mates. If so, would that not be better to do on email? Or even pick up the phone?
I know these tweets are often done with the best of intentions, and it’s nice to be remembered. But from here on in I’m asking for a ban on Follow Friday. Instead I’m introducing Come Round And Have Tea and Cake Saturday. It’s time to get personal.