Don't compromise your Twitter account by sending same message to multiple people publicly

This past week, I reported and blocked 3 personal Twitter accounts for sending me a spam message. This is when "replies" are used to send the same message to multiple people via Twitter.

twitter_spam, originally uploaded by ecblogger.

I don't mind receiving plugs once in awhile. However, if I open the sender's Twitter feed and all I see is the same message sent to multiple folks, I perceive that as spamming.

Here's what I suggest to avoid getting your Twitter account or you tagged as a spammer:

1. Use direct message.

If the person you are sending a message to is also a follower, best to send them a direct message.

Then add a follow-up message that you are doing it as a one-time plug and disclose if needed (like you are joining a contest or hired to send such one-time message).

By personalizing it, the person can even do you a favor of sharing (or re-tweeting) your message, among others. You might even get a prospective client referral.

2. Use your pseudo, corporate, personal Twitter account identity with caution.

If you are using a pseudo or anonymous account whose identity built around a certain ideal or intent, it will be "off" to see that sending a blast message pointing to a commercial web site. If you are doing it for advocacy, clearly indicate that or best to point to the advocacy site instead.

Be wary of using a corporate brand as your Twitter handle - then send blast messages promoting its service. If you are not authorized to do such, the company, if they found out, can make you accountable.

If you are using a personal Twitter account, the more you should be wary in sending same message to multiple people for commercial plug purposes. Best to make your Twitter plug and ask your Twitter friends personally to re-tweet or re-share for you.

3. Take care of your Twitter profile.

A Twitter campaign done wrong can harm a person's Twitter account and social media profile. If done right, it can open more opportunities and build trustworthy connections.

Manipulation: Black PR, Sensational Journalism, Propaganda in Social Media

Are these still familiar with you? Big Bad Blogger. Davao Judge Shoots the Sheriff. Yes to Life, No to Mining. Lopez Group on DBP Loans. What these articles or titles have in common? They are all discussed in the media and / or blogosphere where the presentation sometimes gets skewed to the point it confuses the reader.

Correcting mistakes online

I think media people and bloggers have a greater accountability, more than ever, on what they publish online as it gets subjected to public scrutiny where people can react.

My experience on the "Davao Judge Shoots the Sheriff" piece made me realize the following:

1. Inquirer takes online reaction seriously and responds respectfully to their readers. The resolution, even though took a bit longer than expected, was still at its best, rather than no reaction at all.
2. News can be corrected online. However, as the error is in the article title and sub-title, Inquirer deleted the original article and replaced with the new one.
3. Inquirer also agreed with the request of having the url address of the old article point to the new one.

The news section of Inquirer gave far better response in comparison to handling of the irresponsible column piece - Big Bad Blogger.

Black PR: Do they manipulate media?

This I asked myself when I read the Lopez Group reaction to two Inquirer newspaper columnist who cited the issue of the Lopez Group on getting preferential treatment in relation to the DBP loans.

The situation of the Lopez Group came to mind especially after reading this blog post of Oscar Lopez where I like to quote this part:

"Paying our debts in the Lopez Group is something like religious dogma… no two ways about it. So it was so absurd that this accusation was leveled at us without any warning. Of course we are in truth just collateral damage. Whoever caused that story to be published by two unwitting columnists really wanted to change the direction of a Senate hearing on more recent loans granted by DBP. It was unfair of them to include us in their mudslinging, but I guess that is how it is in our country’s political scene today."

I think it is tough to be a conglomerate especially if you have diversified interest cutting across various sectors. 

When I first read of the reaction posted in Inquirer, I had a flashback about a conglomerate CEO in relation to the anti-phone metering scheme. Several noteworthy columnist from various newspapers said exactly the same thing at a same period of time (like a column feed was used), including one columnist / lawyer who became a Senator. As that personality was also moderating an online discussion group, I recall asking about it, the piece he has written and how come several others said the same thing (copy-paste). No reply was given.

I am no stranger to political column feeds. Recalled receiving one back in 1999 whose objective is to merit the support for a politician who aspires to become a Department of Science and Technology Secretary. I decided to use it in my online site but added a last paragraph on his controversial business issues. The discussion group reaction was chaotic. To the point the PR firm had to request for it to be taken down.

Crossing the Line

As the lines have blurred among bloggers, activist, pundits, and journalists, I think we are entering a phase where conflict of interest becomes inevitable and should not stop one from expressing their views no matter how contradicting sometimes it will get (based on their disposition).

In fact, that "conflict" can be harnessed to garner more attention. For people to ask questions and discuss the issues further. Who will put those conflicts aside and focus on the issue at hand? Who will question the "real" agenda behind it? 

Resulting to polarization that can lead to action - as concerned players will eventually had to choose a side and take a stand. I think the "Yes to Life. No to Mining in Palawan" campaign is an interesting test on this one.

Fair journalism

Sometimes, I can't help but worry on how public communication is evolving. Whether rules and ethics are becoming simple buzzwords. Then come election time (which is 2013), our social media culture will be transformed again as more of our country's issues will be brought closer to us as our online friends brings it to our attention. More anonymous identities revealing controversial information.

As bloggers, online activists, and pundits are expected to be opinionated, our online media space will be chaotic. 

However, I still hope that journalists, editors, and news organization in the country will remain strong in upholding their code. React fast enough correcting inaccurate news and take action when unfair play seems to be evident. Even by their columnists who own their opinions (not of the newspaper) as the space they get to publish their perspective is a "privileged" space - that merits a higher-level of responsibility and accountability.

Where a published news or column piece should result to reaction about the subject matter at hand - not on whether the journalist sensationalize it or black PR tainted the column and newspaper.

Who will have the "Oh Wow" Factor at IMMAP Open Mic Night?

On Wednesday, November 10, the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines will stage the IMMAP Open Mic Night at Craft, the Fort Strip at 7PM. I am very happy to have DigitalFilipino.com support this as IMMAP board member Paul John M. Peña of Leo Burnett has creatively put up this event with all the coolness factor in.

As IMMAP’s version of the Japanese concoction that is Pecha Kucha (chitchat) Night, this pioneer event promises surprises at every chance. Pecha Kucha is an activity that started in 2003 and now a global activity held in over a hundred countries.  In the Philippines, Pecha Kucha Night is a thriving annual event organized by agency creatives.

The event will have twenty speakers, twenty slides (or a slide each), and at twenty seconds per slide.  More or less, each speaker will have no more than 7 minutes. It will be intriguing to see which one will be able to do this perfectly.

Each speaker was also chosen through an online nomination and voting process.

The main question I have in my head now - who can "oh wow" the audience in 20 seconds?

Folks that I will eagerly watch out for are DigitalFilipino Club members: managing director, Chimes Digital Marketing Solutions and business director of Wunderman Chay Mondejar-Saputil and Google Inc. Philippines Country consultant Aileen Apolo-de Jesus. Of course, Globe Telecom social media manager, video blogger and genius Coy Caballes. 

Look forward hearing what Yahoo! Philippines ‘Pitong Pinoy’, actress, writer, activist, linguist and environmentalist, Anna Oposa has to say as well. (She spoke at the recent Mindanao Bloggers Summit.) Fresh face with great ideas in mind. Not to forget TV5 head of digital Carlo Ople, CTO of ArcusIT Jojo Colina, as well as blogger, philanthropist, new media advocate and online community organizer Jay Jaboneta.


Other speakers also include recent NYSE-lister, Groupon Philippines CEO and yoyo master Pat Cuartero, blogger, SMART Communications consultant, AIM lecturer, UNO magazine tech writer and editor Jayvee Fernandez, musician, producer, educator, writer, television personality, workshop facilitator, and activist Jim Paredes, founder, as well as CEO and chief creative director of ad agency ideasXmachina Third Tres Domingo.

Add to that list, founder and CEO of digital storytelling company Ripple 100 Andre Yap, photographer, creative director of The Lighthouse Fashion Studio and AIDS/HIV awareness activist Niccolo Cosme, digital marketing executive for Nestlé Philippines Ricky Baizas, managing director ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. Ernie Lopez, managing director, and Celeste Prize Europe award-winning contemporary artist Nasser Lubay.

Hosting IMMAP Open Mic Night is blogger, radio jock and host of TekTok TV Vince Golangco. Knowing how fun Vince is as a host, I am sure this event will rock. Vince's biggest challenge is that the event run time with 20 speakers will be like 140 minutes excluding introductions and thank you(s). Hope the audience energy will be sustained up to the 20th presentor.


IMMAP likes diversity so being a digital marketeer is not a requirement for entry, so for IMMAP Open Mic Night, it’s free admission for both members and non-members alike. IMMAP Open Mic Night is an earnest attempt, and with far-reaching kindness and support from major brands, industry affiliates, true friends and volunteers, it’s the green light for this groundswell event.

See you folks at the IMMAP Open Mic Night event!

(P.S. I also have a small contest for this specific event only and will announce the winner during the event. Hope you can join!)

Klout should not use Instagram as a scoring input

{EAV_BLOG_VER:0ec93487873de04b} Klout recently announced the inclusion of more online services as input to its scoring system namely YouTube, Tumblr, Flickr, Blogger, Last.FM, and Instagram. I guess this is good news so that one's influence score will not be based on vanity metrics such as following but look further into two-way interaction.

However, I am not in favor for Instagram to be included as a Klout scoring input signal. Simply because, you need an iPhone to be able to use Instagram and not all has one. An influence scoring system should get data from applications that anyone can have access to.

Anyway, that is just my take. :)