Twitter account on eBay
When people create an economy around an item, it’s because in their eyes, they’ve monetized it. Oh, maybe not in actual currency but hey! if it has importance as a medium of exchange, a store of value or a standard of value then it IS monetized. Even if I’m giving you 3 apples and my…
When people create an economy around an item, it’s because in their eyes, they’ve monetized it. Oh, maybe not in actual currency but hey! if it has importance as a medium of exchange, a store of value or a standard of value then it IS monetized. Even if I’m giving you 3 apples and my teddy bear, I am showing you it’s worth something. 🙂 Ebay will often tell you what people are trading and therefore, what is valued. (ebay page of twitter sale)
I really love my Twitter account but I feel like I haven’t been using it the way I want to. Quite honestly, I feel sorry for all of my followers because they wind up with my tweets in their timelines and I haven’t been able to utilize the medium the way I want to. I also participate in another Twitter account over on Rocketboom so I’m thinking I’ll post more over there and start up a new account to do what I want to do next.
It would be silly to just delete this account I have here, especially if there is someone out there that had like interests and had something to say or wanted to get involved in some relevant conversations. In terms of monetary value, I have no expectations or needs at all so I decided not to put a minimum bid on this. Whatever will be, will be.
http://twitter.com/andrewbaron
The winner of this auction gets my account with all of my followers. The account is in my name now, but the winner of the auction can pick any other name that’s available on Twitter for the transfer. For example, you could have http://www.twitter.com/x where x=any name thats not already taken. You can change it yourself at anytime too, one of the cool features about Twitter settings.
So basically it’s like getting a new account with your own name, but having a pre-installed audience.
The first sign of value to most people would be the number of followers I have (the audience size). At the beg. of this auction, there are 1397 followers and I am actually quite proud of the actual quality of these followers, moreso than the number. Feel free to explore everyone to see who’s there.
Also, as with any dynamic group, there is obviously risk. My followers could jump ship at anytime. There is no guarantee on this part. People will come and go, thats just the way it is. Whether you represent a company, a group or just yourself, this group will not want to be sold to, Im sure. The successful winner will share a reciprocal value with the followers.
Finally, I’d just like to give props to all of you out there who are following me on Twitter. No offense what so ever – we can easily find each other again.
If the thing that we value is a following, an audience, a society network, then what is this account worth to you? Can we buy audience? What is the depreciation in value? Do you even give a rat’s… ? P.S. I added the bold, as is my wont. Remember, we are not in the industrial age anymore: the social network digital economy may well work out to be non-material and a non-zero sum game!
hat tip: ozwebfx Richard Ellender.
When Twitter account holders start looking at their followers as a “de facto mailing list” rather than individuals with an interest in what you say, I feel you have devalued the “connection” that Twitter gives you.
Sure in 12 months time all may seem like a silly discussion, and my offer to follow people for a US$2 a month fee will be the norm *wink*, but when the marketers swarm in this sort of thing causes a stir.
In short I think it is a pretty shitty thing to do, but I don’t think it will be the end of such behaviour.
omg 34 bidders and current bid of $1150.
@colin aye, it’s the rocketboom audience mystique I guess 🙂
@allison there is still a broadcast function to what ‘We Media’ do, particularly when we consider “social” in the context of “society” rather than the limited “friends”. So once Twitter brings in tagging of followers, we’ll have ‘friends’ ‘acquaintances’ ‘leaders’ ‘net stars’ and so on 🙂 It’s easier to handle the buying and selling of audience then, no?
That’s crazy. More than 1k for an account – not even my personality. Can we buy personalities in the future?
Even more ridiculous is http://www.alife4sale.com – auction Starts on 22nd June 2008 at Midday
Crazy world..
I wonder what Twitter what think of it. Wouldn’t the selling and buying of their accounts devalue their service?
Selling tweets and their authors obviously made it glam, but the sale could have also been for a linkedin profile. It feels though as if there’s nothing inherently social about the monetisation of the account, as it was mainly derived from ‘friends’ or ‘contacts’ who were ultimately used as input without giving them the chance to opt in/out. A bit like getting referral bonuses from placing your relos on jobs with your employers, no? http://tinyurl.com/4l4wap