What’s with people who believe posting quotes on their social media pages will build their brands or help them gain followers? Come on, let’s get real! These quoters are either lazy, can’t write, or think frequency is key to their marketing. Surprise … They’re not!
Here are a few recent examples:
- “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” (Marcel Proust)
- “There’s only two types of people, those who lift up and those who pull down. The difference is how you think about yourself.” (Lou Holtz)
- “If you always do what you’ve always done; you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” (Goethe)
- “Promise to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.” (John Wooden)
- “That’s the secret to life … Replace one worry with another.” (Charles M. Schulz)
- “He who chooses the beginning of a road also chooses the place it leads to.” (Harry Emerson Fosdick)
Get the picture? If I had wanted to read inspiring words, I’d have bought a motivational book or sought out a therapist. All I want to do is unfollow these quoters who have nothing original to say or anything of interest to share. Booooring.
What do you think of the quoters among us? Do you read these posts? Do you unfollow them? Or do you enjoy these inspiring words? Do these quoters encourage you to engage or do business with them?
Got any interesting/funny/stupid social media quotes to share?
Tags: Branding, Marketing, posts, quotes, Social Media, Social networking
I could not agree with you more. Those old “quote of the day” feeds have been long gone for me…the only people I tend to quote these days are my kids. They can say some seriously funny and thought provoking things. Of course, I cannot think of any right now…go figure. Then again, I kind of like, “If I had wanted to read inspiring words, I’d have bought a motivational book or sought out a therapist.” Thanks for the chuckle.
I love this- kids quotes are priceless and I always find them entertaining. You are right too- I always walk away thinking “how did they get there?” Much more thought provoking than the random quotes I read on Twitter each day.
Thanks, Mark and Christy! Couldn’t agree more.
Hi Elaine,
Brilliant! I totally agree with you. Definitely the lazy person’s marketing strategy.
Susan
Thanks, Susan. I realize it may help SEO, but it is so annoying!
Really? It helps SEO? Did someone say that above? Geez, how embarrassed am I!?
I had no idea it helped with that.
Oh, lordy. Now I’m thinking of posting one rarely just for a l’il juice! (NAH!)
I see your point, quotes are definitely not marketing. With that being said, unless someone is tweeting out New Age quotes over and over again throughout the day, I don’t really see the big deal. I think a good quote to start your day can be inspiring for some people, and to be quite honest, I really don’t mind a good David Ogilvy quote here and there.
If it were pertaining to what we do as marketers, well, then once in a while is OK with me, Jason. But, most of the time, it’s just a quote for the sake of posting. Like everything else in marketing, it’s about the mix.
Even worse? Those joke posters from some automated piece o’ crap, who seem to have nothing of their own to say. Yet—get this—people LIKE it! They do! Some of my friends even RT!
And my other friend and I cringe, and wonder why we’re not WORTHY….
YIKES! You’ve hooked me on this one, kiddo.
I think you think you are searching for an observation here! If quotes were the only thing being posted then maybe…. but if it is part of a multitude of content types what is your beef? Do you judge a newspaper only by is Comics section or a network by one episode of a show?
No, Pat, I don’t even read the comics.
I agree it’s fine if there’s a mix of content. But some people are notorious for posting quotes ad infinitum.
I totally agree. What’s wrong with people sharing a good quote once in a while. If you’ve been personally blessed by such words, why not share them? All the same, everything should be done with moderation…
“Those who quote often will be unfollowed by many.” (Me)
Love it, Landon!
Landon. You are my new hero! ;D
(Sorry. Can’t help it. I hate quotes, and I resent them. A bagajillion quotes are one click away for me, and each is better than the last. So WHY????)
I’m a mean, mean old woman.
And me! Ditto!
“For he who quotes is a quoter. And don’t you wanna be worth more than a quoter?”
Hi Elaine,
I could not agree more. I found out recently that you can actually buy these quotes by the thousands so that you can create an entire Twitter account on auto-pilot… That will give you followers who like quotes, but then what? Unless you sell a-quote-a-day calendars or ‘inspirational quotes books’ or something similar, more than an occasional quote is too much. And you can quote me on that!
Ah Ha! so ‘inspirational quotes’ ARE the lazy man’s twitter feed! They aren’t even the lazy Marketer’s feed unless they are selling a ‘quotes’ product.
Thanks, Annemieke and Anne. You’re right. Most of the time, the quote has nothing to do with what the individual does. What a waste of space.
“The problem with internet quotations is that they are not always accurate.” –Abraham Lincoln
Bill, I have absolutely no comeback on this one.
Quotes sometimes can be appropriate, depending on the nature of followers, or the type of account tone a person is aspiring to. The ones I REALLY can’t stand are those people who quote themselves, and have an avatar that would look really appropriate on the back of a bus, flogging real estate, insurance, or ambulance chasing. Generally I just ignore them, but when I notice that it’s the only form of output, I make a snarky comment about ego (which is dumb, I know), then unfollow. There are too many people who want to be real that schmucks like the ones we’re discussing are getting in the way of.
Bruce, I can understand using quotes if they apply to the tone or brand of the individual’s company, service or product. I must say that I haven’t seen any quotes posted by the individuals themselves. Now, that’s bad taste.
What about Zig Zigler? He posts nothing but quotes.
Very well said Pat.
I didn’t know that. Maybe when someone’s a world-renowned speaker and author, it’s allowed. It’s like following the words and wisdom of a religious leader.
I agree with Pat.
And not knowing who you’re referring to — are the quotes really posted as “marketing” efforts? Maybe those people are just sharing what they feel others might be interested in. Many people, myself included, do enjoy reading a good quote from time to time.
Besides, if you’re not a fan of people who post lots of quotes, why did you follow them in the first place?
(No disrespect intended… it just bogles my mind when I see that someone has followed me and I go check their Twitter account, see they have made 0 posts, and yet have more than a thousand followers! I guess the auto-follow trend is still alive and well.)
Bonnie, it’s possible that these people want to share their heartfelt inspirations with followers. And it certainly does depend on who we choose to follow and why. Personally, I choose to follow those who are connected to my areas of focus – marketing, branding, speaking, and a few other related topics. So, when one of them over-posts quotes, I typically unfollow them.
You have a good point about the “Follow Me” types of software around. In my opinion, it’s not always the quantity but the quality of people we engage with in social media that counts to reach our marketing objectives.
Word. A few awesome (and I do mean AWESOME) quotes here and there is cool, but when quotes is the bulk of your “marketing” that just gets old so fast. I either ignore or unfollow.
Thanks, Lydia. I agree. A few is fine – more than that is a nuisance.
And I thought it was just me…
It IS the lazy poster who churns well-worn bumper sticker quotes instead of take the time or thought to generate original, interesting posts. And haven’t we all read those quotes (and versions thereof) in schools, doctors’ offices and work cubicles? Which brings me to my all-time favorite twaddle, from the cult classic Buckaroo Banzai: “Wherever life takes you, that’s where you are.”
I’ll follow anyone who quotes Buckaroo Banzai.
Thanks, Jo and Mike. Very profound quote, I must say.
I’ll add one pertaining to this topic: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will lead you there.” Lewis Carroll.
Quotes , in themselves, are not good or bad. If effort is put into choosing the quotes, they are welcome.
I find that reading quotes moves my mind away from the rut it tends to get into and helps me get more effective.
You can always unfollow someone- better to praise what you like and unfollow what you dont like. Criticism is not productive unless effective suiggestions and given. What we think is righ may not be right- w are looking at the world through our own coloured glasses.
True, Rakesh. As we say in French, “Chacun à son gout.” (Try Google translation).
Marketing or mucking?
Frankly, I like a good quote like I like a good photo.
“Do but do not overdo.” jvs
Thanks, jvs. Good photos can be captivating, too, but like you say, without overdoing it.
Inspirational quotes – maybe not. Customer testimonial quotes – surely self serving – but sometimes worth reading, especially concerning ROI.
Interesting point, Paul. I hadn’t thought of posting client testimonials. Like you, I think it would come across as self serving. Wouldn’t those be better placed on a Web site?
Ninety percent of nearly anything is garbage, and that goes for most of the quotes you see posted. I just checked my Facebook page (not a very active one, if it matters), and maybe 20% of the postings were quotes along the lines of: “To get through the hardest journey we need take only ONE step at a time, but we MUST keep on stepping. – Chinese Proverb”
And that’s probably the reason I only check Facebook a few times a week. But every once in a while, there’s something that’s actually fun. This one was posted (interestingly enough) by my boss (who happens to be female–note the quote): “New favorite book quote: “Girls … look nice–but they also can be as manipulative as a James Taylor song. Sure, they’re calming and bring you to a good place–but at their core, the whole goal of the damn thing is to undo you.”"
But are quotes marketing? Not usually. One might make an argument that judicious use of quotes can be an element in branding. But, realistically, most “quoters” don’t use it for that purpose either.
Thanks for sharing your boss’ quote, Don. Like you, I don’t use Facebook as much as my other social networking sites. For business purposes, it just doesn’t cut it for me. And, I agree that quotes aren’t marketing in spite of one’s motive for using them.
I agree with all of the foregoing comments. However, there’s also the occasional quote that just fits the mood of the moment, making it a much welcome “distraction”. I particularly like those that make me laugh or at least chuckle during an otherwise rough patch; saves on therapy costs. Good marketing strategy? No; occasional mood changer? Yes.
I agree with Rachel here. They aren’t marketing, but they are human. And sometimes they strike me at the right moment, and (at the same time) I appreciate them when they give me a sense of the mood or perspective of the individual posting them.
That said — the key is (of course) sporadic, killer quotes… not your auto-spammers, your robo-quoters, and your lackluster, uninspired, ridiculous, oversharers. Those who follow THAT strategy, though, are boring on social networks, period. Regardless of the quotes.
I see your point — however i would add “irrelevant” to your headline (Posting irrelevant quotes is NOT marketing).
Depending on your audience and your content strategy the right quotes can be appealing and a great way to increase engagement. Quotes resonate well with our Facebook community. And in fact we are making a new charm based on a quote we posted yesterday since it was so well received.
OK, I accept your point that relevant quotes can hit the spot at the right moment, Rachel and Kathy. In your line of work, Kathy, it makes sense. And Ann, yes, they can bring humanity into our lives when they are appropriate to us. You hit the nail on the head with the word, “sporadic.”
Thanks, ladies.
All things in moderation, nothing to excess. I occasionally read something that I know will strike most of my readers. I quote the source.
Maybe one in 20 of my posts.
Yesterday’s was a line from Dana Goia. Who”d ever read it, and how many had heard of him? Only avid poetry fans and class of ‘73 Stanford grads, I’d bet. . .
Thanks, Harry! One in 20 ain’t bad.
I am a poster of quotes. Inspirational, thought-provoking, uplifting & sometimes even heart_warming. I was never a writer nor made any claim to be one. I am followed & unfollowed like everyone else. However, it is amazing how people, I’ve been able to have conversations with, because they responded to the quotes I’ve posted. Quotes may seem like the LAZY way to market, but for me, they are the door opener/ice-breaker. In the streets, they say don’t knock another man’s hustle.
Derrick, if it works for you, of course, I won’t knock it. Success speaks loudly.
I agree to a point, but social media is not marketing or vice-versa. I don’t follow/subscribe to be marketed to. It is still about relevance. When someone (not a business entity) passes along a quote, I’d rather know what “inspired” them to think it was important enough for me to know now, i.e., tell me your story then give me a qoute. I really don’t care who said it best/first but what evoked it and why it might matter to me… but if it gives them a headache, I really don’t care:-)
Joe, I appreciate your point, but I respectfully disagree that social media is not marketing. Social media has become a huge marcom channel for corporations, small and mid-sized businesses, nonprofits, and individuals that are building their brands and engaging their customers. Yes, I recognize that there are zillions of people using it for personal reasons, and that’s another story. My comments are geared to the marketers out there.
I agree with Joe. Social media isn’t about marketing, but connecting with like-minded people. It’s about communities, not mass messaging. As marketers, we select our objective for each marketing platform. It could be pure marketing, making our company appear personal, or sharing the thoughts that keep us on track as we do business. So one company chooses to use quotes. Who are we to judge if their objective for social media is different from ours?
I agree with you, Kathryn, that social media is not about mass messaging like traditional forms of advertising were. It is more about engagement and building a sense of community. But, we can’t be naive either. For many businesses, there’s usually a marketing strategy in mind (or should be). And, if people use quotes as part of their social media plan, that’s their choice. I accept that. If it produces an ROI for them, more power to them. I just won’t be following.
Thanks for your comment.
“When the day is long and the road is hard, don’t forget every fork you take can skewer a nice stack of pancakes. Preferably with butter.” – Anonymous
Now, you’re talking, Steve! With pure Canadian maple syrup preferably.
I’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. Constant quotes are overkill, but you never know what you may put out there that may calm, help or inspire someone. I also don’t want a constant stream of thinly veiled posts that are all about “Call me I can solve all of your problems!”. It’s a fine balance between, entertaining, sharing and selling that engages me.
No disagreement from me on this one, Kathy. Constant quotes are what annoy me. The sporadic one that resonates is not what I was referring to. It IS a fine balance. Thanks!
Joe you get it 100%. Social media is a give first medium. If you are using it to self promote, then you don’t get it. Quotes can work if done in moderation and with purpose.
I agree, Larry, that what we put in is what we get out. Self promotion is taboo in social media. Building relationships in an honest way is what works. Moderation is key. Thanks!
Great post and I see your point, but no one person is up to creating better quotes than a carefully selection from the sum total of human thought to date.
Relying on that alone is unlikely to win much new business, I agree. But when I’m up to my eyes in work and can hardly even manage an intelligent retweet (content curation or a another ‘lazy’ act?), scheduling a few well-chosen quotes plugs the posting gaps and brings like-minded souls a fraction closer. Every little helps. I spent ages selecting the quotes that really spoke to me and have had positive feedback on several.
Penny, I’ll bet your quotes are thoughtful and relevant. What I refer to are those who use quotes way too frequently. Thanks.
I once advised a client to use an occasional quote when they first started using Twitter. The idea was to get the client familiar with how information could be spread on Twitter. Their quote Tweets always got RTed, and I think it really opened their eyes to the potential of creating interesting and valuable content for people on Twitter.
Hi, Mack. Good idea to get clients familiar and comfortable with social media. And your key word here is, “occasional.”
I don’t mind a few inspirational quotes here and there. Quotes aren’t marketing but I don’t care – some of them are like a cool drink and hit the spot.
Kim, if they move you, then I understand. Again, “a few” is OK; overkill isn’t. Thanks!
I have unfollowed people for just posting quotes. There are a few other people who post mostly good information with a few quotes thrown in, so I’ve kept their feeds. My solution: I skip over them (although bristle at the view of an attribution). Why? Social media has trivialized so many great sayings that I now view as those words as filler. I don’t bother with them.
THANK YOU for this post, Elaine!
Thank you, too, Gail! A mix of solid content with a few quotes thrown in can work well. I agree that much of what gets posted by constant quoters is merely filler.
I like (selective) quotes, particularly if they’re compelling, inspirational, funny and/or tell me something about the person. This has far more value to me then what you just ate, or “I just checked in at…” I know some people overuse quote and there are abuses- I know one guy who quotes God (whatever he feels like saying that day, then attributes to “God”) .
There’s a reason good quotes have always and will always be popular- they connect w/ something human in all of us.
Sometimes I think we’re a little too analytical, too serious about all of this. “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.” Elbert Hubbard.
Thanks, Mark. The guy who quotes God all the time, is he posting for personal reasons or is he in business? If he’s a spiritual man who likes to share his religious thoughts on a personal level, that’s his choice. But if he’s posting quotes as part of a business strategy, I wonder what his ROI is. Unless, of course, his business is related to religious goods and services.
It’s more of a personal level, but I think he tries to mix it, so he gets some business benefit off of it and it’s all part of a personal/business brand. He’s a small entrepreneur dealing in real estate and much of his close circle of friends are religious. I just thought it was a little odd but I’m sure he has his reasons. “No one’s marching to your drummer. So get over it.” God
Take a gander at @AdviceToWriters, where ~90% of the tweets are quotes. As of 4/26 at 4:20 PM, 58,715 followers.
That’s more than Elaine Fogel (2,632), more I bet than any of those commenting (including me)–and possibly more than all of us put together.
Another all-quote Twitter feed I and over 9,424 others follow is @TwitrLit.
Another social media “rule” bites the dust.
Joe, I believe you. There are countless people using social media to follow their passions and interests. This is one good example. My reference has more to do with using social media for marketing purposes. And please don’t misunderstand. I would never profess to make any social media rules here – just voicing my opinion as a marketer. Thanks for your comment.
Moderation, relevance and a personal touch seem to be the keys. Just like I don’t keep following someone who constantly retweets and seldom posts anything original. Or someone who sends a blast of tweets from the same source that look obviously like pre-programmed posts. I want to feel like there’s a person at the other end of these messages, whatever they are.
Me too, Cynthia. Me too!
i am agree with u,the most people use quotes to show off and try to pretend they are clever
Maybe you’re right, Mimi. Or, maybe they aren’t writers or content creators and are relying on quotes to get “out there.”
Quotes coming from businesses had better be targeted or poignant to their “friends”/social media contacts. Used infrequently they are memorable. My preference is to seek out a “quote of the day” site if I am needing something inspirational, funny, etc.
Thanks, Angela. Good point about business use of quotes needing to be targeted.
I don’t agree with you at all. In fact, I think that companies starved for original content because they either aren’t very creative or simply don’t have the resources (human or otherwise) can paint a very nice picture of who they are and where they stand with sharing good content … quotes or not.
While I would assert that IDEALLY a company would do more than just drop quotes, I think you’re being overly critical of well-intended people or companies who are reaching an audience with compelling content.
But what do I know?
Jason, I appreciate your comment. Sorry if I appear overly critical – that’s not my intention. I’m being provocative to make a point, whether people agree or not. That’s what this social media site is all about – discussion and debate on marketing issues. Differences and segments make the marketing world go ’round. That’s why there’s market research and marketing plans. And you know as much as any of us. We all have opinions and experiences with what works or doesn’t for our own marketing efforts. Thanks!
The quoters aren’t my beef.
But the people who tell me how big their inbox is drives me crazy. I really want to understand the motive for it – I think they are just trying that they are great and so busy. But why whinge about it – if you are a successful online you are going to get email.
Ainslie
Now, that’s a topic for a marketing therapist, Ainslie!
Actually, I don’t use Twitter for building my brand, much less for marketing. What I do is build friendships online, and for that all kinds of quotes can be useful. Sometimes, i just like ‘em. Not everything is about money.
You are right, Patricia. Not everything IS about money. That’s why I believe it helps to have separate social media pages for personal and for business use. As an SEO specialist, what do you recommend to your clients and to marketers in general?
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I do agree with you about the lack of creativity however…what about those that create blog posts complaining about these “types of people” and in HALF of their own article use the very quotes that inspired them to go off on this tangent? Pot, meet the kettle.
Oh, Derek. You got me. I included the quotes I had received recently to show examples. Does that count?
Well I think there is mixed emotion here. Large companies use Quotes within their logos. It causes you to think.
People who blog use the quotes to get across their points. Done in moderation is a fine way to connect with people in the social media. Sometimes that quotes gives you inspiration to go on and be creative with your own branding.You just can’t leave out the human element of it all.
It’s a free country! With all the garbage that gets on social media I like to see whatever people want to put that is not garbage.
Thanks, Elaine, for entertaining us.
They are indeed annoying, and boring. And I wonder if these folks realize that they’re actually screaming out their lack of creativity, inspiration, and value.
To paraphrase the great Jedi philosopher Yoda: “Do or Do Not… And stopping stalling with forgettable quotations.”
Thanks, Daria! Good point, and from a great source, too.
I believe the only time I quote is when I satirize an actual quote to be snarky or make a point. That said, I have no problem with companies/marketers using quotes. I don’t look at it as a lack of creativity; rather it’s great to see personal values and corporate cultural ethos illustrated by such quotes.
Yes, there are the cliché quotes and from time to time we all get a little weary of Gibran, Frost, Emerson, et. al., but the choice of these quotes helps us understand what makes each other tick and I’m not going to unfollow someone because they like to share something that they find valuable.
If you don’t find their tweets valuable, just unfollow. No biggie.
I can accept that, Joe. I just find constant quoting from the same individual a bit much, that’s all. And you’re right; I can unfollow. Thanks for your comment.
Elaine,
I really only have one thing to say:
“He wrapped himself in quotations- as a beggar would enfold himself in the purple of Emperors.” ~ Kipling.
Drew (couldn’t resist!)
Kipling, Drew? I’m impressed.
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Elaine,
You have certainly touched a chord! I’ve never understood the dependence on quotes. In high school, for the senior year YearBook photo, we had to come up with a quote that defined us. Talk about stressful. I agonized and flip-flopped several times before coming up with one that had enough room for me to grow into over the years. To this day, I had difficulty with them – unless they include a profound statement about simplicity
.
As usual, thanks for this delicious conversation.
Best,
CB
Thanks, Christine! I remember that high school task well. For me, it was Joni Mitchell lyrics from Chelsea Morning. “And the sun poured in like butterscotch and stuck to all my senses.” As a singer-songwriter in my youth, I often sang and performed that song while playing guitar.
OK, I really dated myself now.
What did you choose? Come on, share.
Quotes need to be used very sparingly. I understand if you hear something inspiring, that you want to get it out there and post it online. And, a more creative way to do it is to link your quote to your own blog post about that quote. Incorporate an inspiring story to backup the inspiring quote.
Good ideas, Jordan! May as well get some marketing benefits from the effort.
HI,
Using general purpose mass mail quotes gets the same treatment as any other white noise, ignore or annoy. Even cult quotes can wear thin. Who recalls Buckaroo Banzai quotes on demand anyway? However, a worn out quote works in the right context, i.e., Lord John Whorfin on phone to Buckaroo (Penny is hostage), “A penny for your thoughts?” Try to work that into a strategy.
IMDB is quote memory for normal folks, I think this has a fragment that can be part of a blog or a book chapter.
Lord John Whorfin: History is-a made at night. Character is what you are in the dark.
So once again I have avoided finishing my words so that I could write these words. (should ™ that one).
Thanks for the clarity on this subject. My personal opinion on quotes is more ‘colorful’ than this.
-dutch
Thanks, Dutch. I like how you refer to using quotes as being white noise.