The guest bloggers over at Twitip have brought up a great point once again. How many followers do you really need? Are we there again?
I’m probably one of the guilty ones they keep referring to. My following/followers are up above 3,000 each. Why? My goal is actually 5,000 to 10,00. I’m fascinated by social media and marketing and I find the best resources on Twitter.
So, how do figure out how many followers is enough?
I like to think of it in terms of future growth. If you’re focus won’t be on Twitter for long (maybe this is a quick dip in the pool of social media), then I don’t see why you would need to quickly add followers. If you’re looking to just set up a presence and to make sure you only add people you know and trust and that you “think” can get you something in return, sure, just keep a small number of followers.
I have a beef with that. Why would you limit yourself to only adding folks you already know (who don’t even read the books you write or don’t even care about your fledgling Internet business) or who you trust (I don’t get this at all) or who you “think” you can get something from later? Don’t you think you might be able to learn from people you never expected to? Don’t you think the more people you get acquainted with on Twitter and Facebook would possibly want to do business with you or may know someone in their life who would do business with you? Don’t you think someone who doesn’t look that amazing just might have the most important piece of information that you may need in the near future to expand your business, learn a new skill, figure out a tech question, or even meet the right person to do any of those things?
I don’t understand people who won’t try to meet as many as they can on Twitter or Facebook. What are you wating for?
So the quick answer to the question: As many as you can find. If you can find folks who will follow you, reply to your Tweets, say hi on Facebook, comment on your status, and read your blog and visit your site, what else are you looking for? True love? A diamond ring?
Now go socialize.
