If you’re someone who likes to minister to people or likes to help others out, then there may be an opportunity right under your nose that you’re missing out on.
If you enjoy being a blessing to others and pointing them back to God’s Word, then maybe you have a chance to reach a lot more people than you think.
This opportunity has to do with following back the people who follow you on Twitter, the same way that I show you in the guide to getting thousands of Twitter followers.
Following back the people who follow you on Twitter may increase the number of spam messages that you get in your Twitter inbox.
At the end of this blog post, you’ll find a way to overcome that by using the same tool that I use regularly to get rid of spammers on Twitter.
The Surprising Story of a Woman in Trouble
So the other day, a woman sent me a direct message on Twitter. Â I’ll call her Joyce for the sake of this blog post because I want to protect her privacy.
She asked me in her direct message, “Peter, what do you think about abortion? Â The reason I’m asking is because I’m pregnant and my boyfriend wants me to have one.”
I was taken back by Joyce’s DM and I immediately began to pray.
After that, I began having a conversation with her which ultimately led me to share with her a great Christian movie about abortion.
The great thing too was that I was able to go to my prayer group and ask for prayer on Joyce’s behalf.
God willing, Joyce will have the baby and she’ll come into a loving relationship with God though Christ.
How cool would that be? 🙂
And it was all because of a direct message sent on Twitter.
So Why Should You Follow Back the People Who Follow You on Twitter?
Simply put, because it allows for people to be able to send you private messages.
There are some things that are just too sensitive to be able to talk about them in public using Twitter mentions (a mention is when you start a tweet with someone’s Twitter handle “@”).
Joyce never would have asked me my thoughts on abortion in public.
After all, one of her followers who also might be a friend might get suspicions that something isn’t right with Joyce.
At the same time, because of the anonymity of Twitter and social media, you can now talk about subjects that you just don’t want to talk about with your friends.
After all, maybe your friend will judge you. Â Or maybe your friend can’t keep a secret.
But an online stranger that seems like a nice person sometimes provides a comfort zone that may not be available in a friend or family member.
But Won’t I Get Spam Messages if I Follow Back EVERYONE?
Some people send automated direct messages to you as soon as you start following them.
Sending automated direct messages to others made the list of 17 mistakes that people make on Twitter.
While yes, you might get some spam messages by following back the people who followed you, you can easily unfollow those people really quickly using ManageFlitter.
I show you how to do that in this article here.
And if you want to delete ALLÂ of your Twitter direct messages with the click of a few buttons, then you can learn how to do that here.
The Bottom Line
It’s more blessed to give than to receive.
Use Twitter to help out others and God will help you.
Be there for others in their hour of need and people will be there for you.
Comments 17
Great article Peter. Automated messages on Twitter are very annoying and a bad idea. This is a great way to get unfollowed. Instead folks should comment on Tweets and if the person they are interested in has a blog comment on that…if you have something relevant to add anyway! 🙂
Are you working on that book on Twitter yet? 🙂
Blessings bro.
Greg
That’s some very good advice Greg, thank you for sharing it with the Not Ashamed of the Gospel Blog Community. You have some good experience under your belt now with Twitter.
As for a Twitter book, I haven’t been working on that yet. But I have been working on an evangelism book. I don’t think it’s going to get published for another year or more though.
How about you Greg, you working on any Kingdom projects?
That should be a fantastic book I’m thinking!
Yes I’m currently building an online store for a ministry I work with and helping out with their web site as well.
That is so cool Greg!
Please do share the link to the website and the online store once you’re finished with the project. How exciting 🙂
Hey Peter,
This is the web site: http://theheavensdeclarehisgloryministries.org/ We are also on Facebook in many groups but this is our home group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HeavensDeclare/
Looks like a great project Greg!
So is the website all done or are you guys still tweaking it?
The site is mostly done although that is always subject to change as you know. 🙂
Okay, I draw the line on following back for users like the one that just followed me today. First, his headline was “F***ed Yer B****” and his background was likewise obscene. I did not want to subject myself to his =age any longer so I did not look at his recent tweets.
Maybe I am wrong, but I did not follow back, I blocked him instead. I do this in considering myself, lest I also be tempted.
BTW, forgot to say, excellent article Peter! I have been wondering how to get more clicks and retweets. Thanks!
You’re welcome John, I’m glad you found the article helpful 🙂
God bless you bro!
I checked out tweriod, I haven’t done the pro evaluation yet, but I plan to.
I also noticed another product that they have called Buffer. Have you used it? I notice it can use my pro eval to time tweets, which is great! Do you know, is this a free service? Or paid?
John, I can’t say enough good things about Buffer. I use it almost every day.
Here’s a link to a write up that I did about it on the blog. There’s a free and a paid version https://notashamedofthegospel.com/social-media/use-buffer-app-to-share-jesus/
You know something John, you bring up a very good point. Some people will do as you did and not follow back and I totally understand where they are coming from. I’ve done that plenty of times to people who use cuss words and to people who have raunchy profile pictures.
Other times I’ve seen people will follow back in an effort to try to evangelize to these types of people.
I think the bottom line here is that we need to use discernment and ask God to show us what to do.
Or what do you think, John?
Yes, I can definitely see both sides of this, and this is an area where I am torn at times over what to do. I need the Lord’s guidance here, and I know I may be changing how I handle this as the Lord leads.
As far as my own temptation, I know the Lord protects me, maybe I just need to avert my eyes and hit the follow button. 🙂
Great info. Never thought about the PM option that Twitter allows. Thanks for sharing Peter!
Author
You’re welcome Paul, I’m glad you found the information helpful 🙂
God bless you!
Good post and glad that people are willing to get the conversation going on this topic in the faith community. I have lots of thoughts on this and appreciate the thoughts this post explores!