Micah January 17th

Follow Friday. Oh My!

UPDATE: FollowFridays.com has now launched. Check it out!

Give ideas on how to improve #followfriday here.

Followers on Twitter are an interesting thing. There is much discussion about how its not how many followers one has, but how many people you follow.

Yet, for some reason, people still grade themselves on followers. Loic Le Meur (which Michael Arrington agreed with) suggested that a filter be added to Twitter’s search function that allows the searcher to sort by number of followers.

Often, I get people asking me to tweet out that my followers should follow them. (Of course, as the Anti-Christ of Twitter, people usually lose followers when I do that).

Yesterday morning, I was having an IM conversation with my friends Jeffrey and Danny. Both are among my favorite people.

Danny is one of the first people I met when I moved to Colorado, and I was an advisor on one of his early startups, Zuvo. We have been friends for a long time, and he is one of the smartest, most creative people I know.

Jeffrey I met recently. He moved to Colorado several months ago, when a portion of his company skinnyCorp, who run Threadless, (If you havent bought stuff from Threadless, you just arent cool) moved here. As the Chief Creative Officer of skinnyCorp, Jeffrey not only is a designer but an idea creator.

Jeffrey and Danny are both highly intelligent, creative, humorous people, that I enjoy hanging out with daily. Their tweets are no different.

As I got ready to go into the Lijit office (I was moving slowly because I thought it was Saturday.), I started thinking about how proud I was to be friends with Danny and Jeffrey, and more people should follow them on twitter. So I sent this tweet out:

First Follow Friday Tweet

First Follow Friday Tweet

Almost immediately afterwards, Mykl Roventine (@myklroventine) suggested:

FollowFriday hashtag suggestion

FollowFriday hashtag suggestion

Which, of course, was brilliant. I then sent direct messages to a few of my friends: Chris Brogan, Erin Kotecki Vest, Aaron Brazell, Jim Kukral and Andrew Hyde (who decided to not participate, calling it a “spammer lovefest”) asking them to retweet a simple message “Follow Fridays – suggest someone to follow / everyone follow / use the hashtag #followfriday”

And, then I headed into the office and my first meeting of the day.

When I got back to my office, and finally fired up my machine, #followfriday tweets were flying all over twitter. It was wild. It continued throughout the day:

FollowFriday Usage Graph

FollowFriday Usage Graph

Near the end of the day, almost every half second, a tweet went out with the hashtag #followfriday.

At the end of the day, I decided my final FollowFriday tweet would suggest two people that have taught me important lessons. Matt Hessler (@fasterstill) has taught me the importance of friendship, and Meg Fowler (@megfowler) who has taught me the importance of love. Interestingly, Matt and I have been friends for years and talk every day. Meg I met several months ago online, and have never met in real life. Quite the juxtaposition.

Final Follow Friday Tweet

Final Follow Friday Tweet

It was awesome. By the end of the day, my name was no longer associated with the tweets. Which was awesomer.

It had taken on a life of its own. Which was awesomest.

Here is what twitter was able to confirm for me: People are proud of their friends.

It wasnt hard for people to suggest folks to follow, because everyone has people they follow that they find interesting, insightful, funny, intelligent or whatever it is that makes you love to interact with another person (online or off).

Maybe, instead of all the various reasons marketing and social media experts have put out there about why twitter has become so successful, the real reason is that people enjoy relationships with people they can be proud of, and in return, want other people to be proud of them.

If you cant be proud of who you call friend; and in return if others cant be proud to know you, then you are doing it wrong.

Doesnt sound so complicated to me.

Update: A couple of people asked me if I got any new followers. I get about 50-60 new followers daily (with about 20-30 unfollows every day). Yesterday, according to my email from SocialToo (my friend Jesse Stay‘s startup), I got 229 new followers, with 26 people unfollowing.

I cant recommend SocialToo and Jesse Stay enough.

Popularity: unranked [?]

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jenean-Walker-Witherspoon/544689671 Jenean Walker Witherspoon

    Awesome, awesome, and awesome. I think many others would agree. Thank you for sharing and thank you for your heart to give back. It's what makes the world go round :)

    @jeneanw

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jenean-Walker-Witherspoon/544689671 Jenean Walker Witherspoon

    Awesome, awesome, and awesome. I think many others would agree. Thank you for sharing and thank you for your heart to give back. It's what makes the world go round :)

    @jeneanw

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jenean-Walker-Witherspoon/544689671 Jenean Walker Witherspoon

    Awesome, awesome, and awesome. I think many others would agree. Thank you for sharing and thank you for your heart to give back. It's what makes the world go round :)

    @jeneanw

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jenean-Walker-Witherspoon/544689671 Jenean Walker Witherspoon

    Awesome, awesome, and awesome. I think many others would agree. Thank you for sharing and thank you for your heart to give back. It's what makes the world go round :)

    @jeneanw

  • http://polenth.blogspot.com/ Polenth

    The idea is neat, but I wish more people had said why they follow the recommended people. With that many recommendations coming through, it helps to see which of the recommended names might share interests.

    @Polenth

  • http://polenth.blogspot.com/ Polenth

    The idea is neat, but I wish more people had said why they follow the recommended people. With that many recommendations coming through, it helps to see which of the recommended names might share interests.

    @Polenth

  • http://polenth.blogspot.com/ Polenth

    The idea is neat, but I wish more people had said why they follow the recommended people. With that many recommendations coming through, it helps to see which of the recommended names might share interests.

    @Polenth

  • http://polenth.blogspot.com/ Polenth

    The idea is neat, but I wish more people had said why they follow the recommended people. With that many recommendations coming through, it helps to see which of the recommended names might share interests.

    @Polenth

  • http://www.louisgray.com/live/ Louis Gray

    Nice work, Micah. I saw the Friday Followers phenomenon, and didn't know you had started it. I should have known. Quite catchy and innovative.

  • http://www.louisgray.com/live/ Louis Gray

    Nice work, Micah. I saw the Friday Followers phenomenon, and didn't know you had started it. I should have known. Quite catchy and innovative.

  • http://www.louisgray.com/live/ Louis Gray

    Nice work, Micah. I saw the Friday Followers phenomenon, and didn't know you had started it. I should have known. Quite catchy and innovative.

  • http://www.louisgray.com/live/ Louis Gray

    Nice work, Micah. I saw the Friday Followers phenomenon, and didn't know you had started it. I should have known. Quite catchy and innovative.

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    The whole thing caught me by surprise. I guess its the most basic,
    right? 1) make it simple; 2) make it participatory; 3) make it feel
    good.

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    The whole thing caught me by surprise. I guess its the most basic,
    right? 1) make it simple; 2) make it participatory; 3) make it feel
    good.

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    The whole thing caught me by surprise. I guess its the most basic,
    right? 1) make it simple; 2) make it participatory; 3) make it feel
    good.

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    The whole thing caught me by surprise. I guess its the most basic,
    right? 1) make it simple; 2) make it participatory; 3) make it feel
    good.

  • http://www.ajvaynerchuk.com/followfriday-on-twitter-follow-friday-followfriday/ FollowFriday on Twitter – Follow Friday #followfriday | AJ Vaynerchuk

    [...] *Update: Check out Micah’s blog post on FollowFriday. [...]

  • http://www.myklroventine.com Mykl Roventine

    I love this idea. The best thing about Twitter to me is the real connections I've made. This is such a great way to help others experience that by “sharing the wealth” of your own follows. Thanks for the shoutout too.

  • http://www.myklroventine.com Mykl Roventine

    I love this idea. The best thing about Twitter to me is the real connections I've made. This is such a great way to help others experience that by “sharing the wealth” of your own follows. Thanks for the shoutout too.

  • http://www.myklroventine.com Mykl Roventine

    I love this idea. The best thing about Twitter to me is the real connections I've made. This is such a great way to help others experience that by “sharing the wealth” of your own follows. Thanks for the shoutout too.

  • http://www.myklroventine.com Mykl Roventine

    I love this idea. The best thing about Twitter to me is the real connections I've made. This is such a great way to help others experience that by “sharing the wealth” of your own follows. Thanks for the shoutout too.

  • http://www.suburbansweetheart.com Kate

    Twenty-six unfollows, eh?Apparently some people weren't down with the share-your-friends love. And speaking of love, I'm interested in how @megfowler taught you the importance of love.

  • http://www.suburbansweetheart.com Kate

    Twenty-six unfollows, eh?Apparently some people weren't down with the share-your-friends love. And speaking of love, I'm interested in how @megfowler taught you the importance of love.

  • http://www.suburbansweetheart.com Kate

    Twenty-six unfollows, eh?Apparently some people weren't down with the share-your-friends love. And speaking of love, I'm interested in how @megfowler taught you the importance of love.

  • http://www.suburbansweetheart.com Kate

    Twenty-six unfollows, eh?Apparently some people weren't down with the share-your-friends love. And speaking of love, I'm interested in how @megfowler taught you the importance of love.

  • http://sometimesithink-krissy.blogspot.com iamkrissy

    What a fantastic idea! I saw the #FollowFriday tweets coming through and was so excited! I love people to reccommend others they like to follow. Those who were sending them through were stating why they followed. It was neat to go visit the suggestions to follow! And I followed some. Glad I did. They followed back. I've got neat new relationships. I wonder why anyone would call this spamming? They are reccommendations from twitter friends you trust , not from just anyone, or you wouldn't be checking out their suggestions! Brilliant idea!

    As for the unfollows, I get them too. Some followers daily, and a few unfollowers daily. The other day I got 67 followers and 27 unfollowers, LOL. Hey, I'll take 40 followers, and you know what? I'm just being myself, so if those 20 people want to unfollow, that's fine with me! Bye, bye! I am polite, and consider what should go in the Twitter stream — I don't want to pollute it with worthless junk! However, I will very occassionally and rarely say something personal. Those who don't like what I tweet may unfollow and go elsewhere. It's their right. And it's my right to tweet how I want! Don't you agree?

    Anyway, thanks for the great FollowFriday feature…

  • http://sometimesithink-krissy.blogspot.com iamkrissy

    What a fantastic idea! I saw the #FollowFriday tweets coming through and was so excited! I love people to reccommend others they like to follow. Those who were sending them through were stating why they followed. It was neat to go visit the suggestions to follow! And I followed some. Glad I did. They followed back. I've got neat new relationships. I wonder why anyone would call this spamming? They are reccommendations from twitter friends you trust , not from just anyone, or you wouldn't be checking out their suggestions! Brilliant idea!

    As for the unfollows, I get them too. Some followers daily, and a few unfollowers daily. The other day I got 67 followers and 27 unfollowers, LOL. Hey, I'll take 40 followers, and you know what? I'm just being myself, so if those 20 people want to unfollow, that's fine with me! Bye, bye! I am polite, and consider what should go in the Twitter stream — I don't want to pollute it with worthless junk! However, I will very occassionally and rarely say something personal. Those who don't like what I tweet may unfollow and go elsewhere. It's their right. And it's my right to tweet how I want! Don't you agree?

    Anyway, thanks for the great FollowFriday feature…

  • http://sometimesithink-krissy.blogspot.com iamkrissy

    What a fantastic idea! I saw the #FollowFriday tweets coming through and was so excited! I love people to reccommend others they like to follow. Those who were sending them through were stating why they followed. It was neat to go visit the suggestions to follow! And I followed some. Glad I did. They followed back. I've got neat new relationships. I wonder why anyone would call this spamming? They are reccommendations from twitter friends you trust , not from just anyone, or you wouldn't be checking out their suggestions! Brilliant idea!

    As for the unfollows, I get them too. Some followers daily, and a few unfollowers daily. The other day I got 67 followers and 27 unfollowers, LOL. Hey, I'll take 40 followers, and you know what? I'm just being myself, so if those 20 people want to unfollow, that's fine with me! Bye, bye! I am polite, and consider what should go in the Twitter stream — I don't want to pollute it with worthless junk! However, I will very occassionally and rarely say something personal. Those who don't like what I tweet may unfollow and go elsewhere. It's their right. And it's my right to tweet how I want! Don't you agree?

    Anyway, thanks for the great FollowFriday feature…

  • http://sometimesithink-krissy.blogspot.com iamkrissy

    What a fantastic idea! I saw the #FollowFriday tweets coming through and was so excited! I love people to reccommend others they like to follow. Those who were sending them through were stating why they followed. It was neat to go visit the suggestions to follow! And I followed some. Glad I did. They followed back. I've got neat new relationships. I wonder why anyone would call this spamming? They are reccommendations from twitter friends you trust , not from just anyone, or you wouldn't be checking out their suggestions! Brilliant idea!

    As for the unfollows, I get them too. Some followers daily, and a few unfollowers daily. The other day I got 67 followers and 27 unfollowers, LOL. Hey, I'll take 40 followers, and you know what? I'm just being myself, so if those 20 people want to unfollow, that's fine with me! Bye, bye! I am polite, and consider what should go in the Twitter stream — I don't want to pollute it with worthless junk! However, I will very occassionally and rarely say something personal. Those who don't like what I tweet may unfollow and go elsewhere. It's their right. And it's my right to tweet how I want! Don't you agree?

    Anyway, thanks for the great FollowFriday feature…

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    I get about that many unfollows a day. I think its because 1) I dont follow everyone back; 2) I tweet a fair share; and 3) sometimes my tweets are off-color/off-topic. Whats interesting is I still lost about the same number as I always do. Hmmm…

    As for meg, read her blog at http://www.megfolwer.com to answer that question. (It is also part of a larger blog post one day.)

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    I get about that many unfollows a day. I think its because 1) I dont follow everyone back; 2) I tweet a fair share; and 3) sometimes my tweets are off-color/off-topic. Whats interesting is I still lost about the same number as I always do. Hmmm…

    As for meg, read her blog at http://www.megfolwer.com to answer that question. (It is also part of a larger blog post one day.)

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    I get about that many unfollows a day. I think its because 1) I dont follow everyone back; 2) I tweet a fair share; and 3) sometimes my tweets are off-color/off-topic. Whats interesting is I still lost about the same number as I always do. Hmmm…

    As for meg, read her blog at http://www.megfolwer.com to answer that question. (It is also part of a larger blog post one day.)

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    I get about that many unfollows a day. I think its because 1) I dont follow everyone back; 2) I tweet a fair share; and 3) sometimes my tweets are off-color/off-topic. Whats interesting is I still lost about the same number as I always do. Hmmm…

    As for meg, read her blog at http://www.megfolwer.com to answer that question. (It is also part of a larger blog post one day.)

  • http://www.megfowler.com Meg

    I got all squooshy at being your last #followfriday. But I think you already knew lots about the importance of love. :)

  • http://www.megfowler.com Meg

    I got all squooshy at being your last #followfriday. But I think you already knew lots about the importance of love. :)

  • http://www.megfowler.com Meg

    I got all squooshy at being your last #followfriday. But I think you already knew lots about the importance of love. :)

  • http://www.megfowler.com Meg

    I got all squooshy at being your last #followfriday. But I think you already knew lots about the importance of love. :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Damien-Basile/615051954 Damien Basile

    Thank you for popularizing this. I hope this happens everyday. It's not a new concept though. I started the hashtag #valueadd to have twitterers tell others who add's value to their stream. This is something that should be implemented all the time and randomly not just Fridays. Until there's a more efficient way to figure this out keep moving the good word forward.

    Who IS pushing the good word forward? @MrTweet. Their current service is remarkable and I have it on good authority that there are some exciting things coming down the pipeline. Stay tuned.

    @db

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Damien-Basile/615051954 Damien Basile

    Thank you for popularizing this. I hope this happens everyday. It's not a new concept though. I started the hashtag #valueadd to have twitterers tell others who add's value to their stream. This is something that should be implemented all the time and randomly not just Fridays. Until there's a more efficient way to figure this out keep moving the good word forward.

    Who IS pushing the good word forward? @MrTweet. Their current service is remarkable and I have it on good authority that there are some exciting things coming down the pipeline. Stay tuned.

    @db

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Damien-Basile/615051954 Damien Basile

    Thank you for popularizing this. I hope this happens everyday. It's not a new concept though. I started the hashtag #valueadd to have twitterers tell others who add's value to their stream. This is something that should be implemented all the time and randomly not just Fridays. Until there's a more efficient way to figure this out keep moving the good word forward.

    Who IS pushing the good word forward? @MrTweet. Their current service is remarkable and I have it on good authority that there are some exciting things coming down the pipeline. Stay tuned.

    @db

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    You are more than welcome. That will be $100.

    Sent wirelessly. Excuse the typos, I was born with phat fingers.

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    You are more than welcome. That will be $100.

    Sent wirelessly. Excuse the typos, I was born with phat fingers.

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    You are more than welcome. That will be $100.

    Sent wirelessly. Excuse the typos, I was born with phat fingers.

  • http://www.callmejeffrey.com jeffrey

    Beyond the Twitter follower gain that I experienced from your idea, it's really an amazing concept. Plus I appreciate the kind words. It's friends like you that make Colorado feel more like home. Thanks dude.

  • http://www.callmejeffrey.com jeffrey

    Beyond the Twitter follower gain that I experienced from your idea, it's really an amazing concept. Plus I appreciate the kind words. It's friends like you that make Colorado feel more like home. Thanks dude.

  • http://www.callmejeffrey.com jeffrey

    Beyond the Twitter follower gain that I experienced from your idea, it's really an amazing concept. Plus I appreciate the kind words. It's friends like you that make Colorado feel more like home. Thanks dude.

  • http://neilojwilliams.net/missioncreep/2009/foundinteresting-15-19-jan/ Mission Creep | Neil Williams » Blog Archive » Found/interesting: 15-19 Jan

    [...] Follow Friday. Oh My! – Ideas spread fast on Twitter. (Albeit ones *about* Twitter). [...]

  • http://staynalive.com jessestay

    Micah, just noticed your recommendation for SocialToo – thanks for your kind words! If we can make it any better for you let me know. I'm working as fast as I can to get as many cool features as we can offer. Thanks again!

  • http://staynalive.com jessestay

    Micah, just noticed your recommendation for SocialToo – thanks for your kind words! If we can make it any better for you let me know. I'm working as fast as I can to get as many cool features as we can offer. Thanks again!

  • http://staynalive.com jessestay

    Micah, just noticed your recommendation for SocialToo – thanks for your kind words! If we can make it any better for you let me know. I'm working as fast as I can to get as many cool features as we can offer. Thanks again!

  • http://www.makakmedia.co.uk/blog makakman

    Brilliant idea Micah, what better way to give something back to your friends than putting them in your follow friday. Nice work :)

  • http://www.makakmedia.co.uk/blog makakman

    Brilliant idea Micah, what better way to give something back to your friends than putting them in your follow friday. Nice work :)

  • http://www.makakmedia.co.uk/blog makakman

    Brilliant idea Micah, what better way to give something back to your friends than putting them in your follow friday. Nice work :)

  • http://www.milestinsley.com milestinsley

    Excellent. Conversely, I think there should be “unfollow tuesdays” (#unfollowtuesdays). Why? Because part of Twitters' brilliance is that following does not have to be mutual. You can create a refined list of Tweeters whose Tweets are useful and interesting to you. To achieve this, the power of unfollowing must not be underestimated!

  • http://www.milestinsley.com milestinsley

    Excellent. Conversely, I think there should be “unfollow tuesdays” (#unfollowtuesdays). Why? Because part of Twitters' brilliance is that following does not have to be mutual. You can create a refined list of Tweeters whose Tweets are useful and interesting to you. To achieve this, the power of unfollowing must not be underestimated!

  • http://www.milestinsley.com milestinsley

    Excellent. Conversely, I think there should be “unfollow tuesdays” (#unfollowtuesdays). Why? Because part of Twitters' brilliance is that following does not have to be mutual. You can create a refined list of Tweeters whose Tweets are useful and interesting to you. To achieve this, the power of unfollowing must not be underestimated!

  • http://ppmartin.wordpress.com/ ppmartin

    Good concept, TGIF :)

  • http://ppmartin.wordpress.com/ ppmartin

    Good concept, TGIF :)

  • http://ppmartin.wordpress.com/ ppmartin

    Good concept, TGIF :)

  • http://billbolmeier.com/find-people-follow-twitter-followfridays/ How to Find People to Follow on Twitter – #followfriday | Bill Bolmeier

    [...] Check out how it all began – http://learntoduck.com/Micah/follow-friday. [...]

  • http://kiddmillennium.com/kiddswriter.html Ron Callari

    Michah, interesting to finally find out the origin of #followfriday, but no where do you mention the date you started this?
    Would be interested to learn how long #followfridays have been in existence?

    Ron Callari
    twitter.com/roncallari

  • http://kiddmillennium.com/kiddswriter.html Ron Callari

    Michah, interesting to finally find out the origin of #followfriday, but no where do you mention the date you started this?
    Would be interested to learn how long #followfridays have been in existence?

    Ron Callari
    twitter.com/roncallari

  • http://kiddmillennium.com/kiddswriter.html Ron Callari

    Michah, interesting to finally find out the origin of #followfriday, but no where do you mention the date you started this?
    Would be interested to learn how long #followfridays have been in existence?

    Ron Callari
    twitter.com/roncallari

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    I wrote the post the next day, so the first #followfriday was January
    16, 2009. So its been going on for 5 weeks now?

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    I wrote the post the next day, so the first #followfriday was January
    16, 2009. So its been going on for 5 weeks now?

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    I wrote the post the next day, so the first #followfriday was January
    16, 2009. So its been going on for 5 weeks now?

  • http://www.s-consulting.no frodeste

    Great article. I did not now the history of followfridays.

  • http://www.s-consulting.no frodeste

    Great article. I did not now the history of followfridays.

  • http://www.s-consulting.no frodeste

    Great article. I did not now the history of followfridays.

  • http://askreginasmola.com/social-media/twitter/twitter-hashtags-how-to-where-and-why/1/ Twitter hashtags – what, where, and how to? : Ask Regina Smola
  • http://davidspinks.com/2009/03/05/3-steps-to-help-starters-beat-the-twitter-learning-curve/ 3 Steps to Help Starters Beat the Twitter Learning Curve « The Spinks Blog

    [...] Friday: This is the great contribution by Micah that encourages twitterers to recommend people to follow every friday.  If the people you’re [...]

  • http://the.inevitable.org/anism/2009/03/05/3854/ the.Inevitable.Org/anism » twitter – combining search … and reputation networks!

    [...] on #followfriday … a growing twitter ad-hoc event that occurs each Friday.  Started by Micah Baldwin, #followfriday is a hashtag that can be included in a tweet to endorse people you think are worthy [...]

  • http://blog.nullvariable.com/2009/03/3-ways-followfriday/ 3 ways to make the most of #FollowFriday

    [...] you’re probably familiar with the #followfriday concept. For those that aren’t you can read about how #followfriday may have started. Here’s are three ways to maximize your #followfriday experience for you and your [...]

  • http://twitterportugal.com/blog/follow-me-e-sexta-feira/ TwitterPortugal blog » Follow me, é sexta-feira!

    [...] história em si, narrada aqui pelo @micah, não tem nada de especial — são os resultados que surpreendem. Ele apenas começou [...]

  • http://www.creativedomesticity.blogspot.com Tammy

    Hi Micah,
    Do you have any idea why my hash tag tweets do not appear on the group pages for them? Its driving me crazy! My twitter name is CreativeHome. I posted to #followfriday and it never appears. I would appreciate ANY help! :)
    Tammy

  • http://www.creativedomesticity.blogspot.com Tammy

    Hi Micah,
    Do you have any idea why my hash tag tweets do not appear on the group pages for them? Its driving me crazy! My twitter name is CreativeHome. I posted to #followfriday and it never appears. I would appreciate ANY help! :)
    Tammy

  • http://www.creativedomesticity.blogspot.com Tammy

    Hi Micah,
    Do you have any idea why my hash tag tweets do not appear on the group pages for them? Its driving me crazy! My twitter name is CreativeHome. I posted to #followfriday and it never appears. I would appreciate ANY help! :)
    Tammy

  • http://www.creativedomesticity.blogspot.com Tammy

    Hi Micah,
    Do you have any idea why my hash tag tweets do not appear on the group pages for them? Its driving me crazy! My twitter name is CreativeHome. I posted to #followfriday and it never appears. I would appreciate ANY help! :)
    Tammy

  • http://www.bobbuskirk.com/follow-friday-for-march-13-2009.html Follow Friday for March 13, 2009

    [...] the people that they thought were interesting and other people would like to follow. You can read this post about how follow Friday got started. I decided to make this post because I wanted to do a lot of [...]

  • http://briancray.com/2009/03/13/8-websites-for-monitoring-followfriday/ 8 Websites For Monitoring #FollowFriday | Brian Cray’s Blog

    [...] Find out how #fridayfollow was started in this article. [...]

  • http://learntoduck.com/ micah

    I have no idea. What group pages are you referring to? I know it
    generally works on search.twitter.com and other sites.

  • http://emergenceweb.com/blog/?p=1371 émergenceweb : blogue » L’irrésistible montée en puissance de Twitter (et autres liens…)

    [...] Notre nombre de «followers» a grimpé de façon exponentielle, surtout depuis la création des #FollowFriday. Bref, lisez au moins les sept premiers et surtout le second, qui viennent comme en écho à un de [...]

  • http://yourcollege.mycollegeblogger.com/emilys-blog/2009/03/15/3-steps-to-help-starters-beat-the-twitter-learning-curve/ Emily’s Blog » Blog Archive » 3 Steps to Help Starters Beat the Twitter Learning Curve

    [...] Friday: This is the great contribution by Micah that encourages twitterers to recommend people to follow every friday.  If the people you’re [...]

  • http://www.ecuaderno.com/2009/03/20/el-meme-de-los-viernes-en-twitter-followfriday/ El meme de los viernes en Twitter: FollowFriday » eCuaderno

    [...] Los viernes en Twitter toca recomendar a usuarios a los que seguir. El meme se llama FollowFriday y comenzó el 16 de enero de 2009 impulsado por Micah Baldwin. [...]

  • http://lpdp.familyguest.com/followfriday-twitter/ #FollowFriday en Twitter | La pechuga del Pollo

    [...] estube averiguando un poco y encontré que es un meme impulsado por Micah Baldwin el cuál propone que todos los viernes publiquemos una lista recomendando algunos de nuestros [...]

  • http://www.bloggingtips.com/2009/03/21/building-relationship-with-forum-members/ The Secrets to Building Relationship with Forum Members

    [...] forum members on their blogs. Even small things matter. There is something called #FridayFollow (how it originated) that happens on all Fridays in twitter. Even a recommendation of your new friend in #FollowFriday [...]

  • http://learntoduck.com/influence/community-influence A Community of Influence

    [...] Follow Friday. Oh My! (learntoduck.com) [...]

  • http://followfridays.com/2009/03/followfridays/ FollowFridays.com » Welcome To FollowFridays.com!

    [...] FollowFriday. Oh My! – From LearnToDuck (Micah Baldwin) [...]

  • http://twitter.com/inventrix/statuses/1401907315 inventrix (The Inventrix)

    @Renfield286 Origin of #followfriday – http://tinyurl.com/86ngro

  • http://twitter.com/inventrix/statuses/1401907315 inventrix (The Inventrix)

    @Renfield286 Origin of #followfriday – http://tinyurl.com/86ngro

  • http://riccineer.com/new-media-channels/twitter-new-media-channels/riccis-followfriday-twitter-list/ Ricci’s #FollowFriday Twitter List

    [...] (If you aren’t familiar with Twitter #followfriday, check out this article) [...]

  • http://mrees.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/twitter-power-combining-name-and-hashtag-semantics/ Twitter Power – Combining Name and Hashtag Semantics « Impressions Scholarcast

    [...] #followfridays hashtag was suggested by Micah Baldwin as a tweet: I am starting Follow Fridays. Every Friday, suggest a person to follow, and everyone [...]

  • http://twitter.com/merfz/statuses/1403411192 merfz (Meridith )

    @littleemma88 check this out about follow friday: http://tinyurl.com/86ngro

  • http://twitter.com/merfz/statuses/1403411192 merfz (Meridith )

    @littleemma88 check this out about follow friday: http://tinyurl.com/86ngro

  • http://scottporad.com/2009/03/31/the-dilemma-of-followfriday/ The Dilemma of #followfriday « Scott Porad

    [...] good friend Micah Baldwin is the originator of #followfriday, and personally I think its grown into something much bigger than he ever imagined.  Last week [...]

  • http://www.blog.claudioschwarz.com/2009/followfriday-auf-twitter/ blog.claudioschwarz.com » #followfriday auf Twitter.

    [...] wurde ich dann sehr ausführlich fündig. Gestartet wurde die Aktion von Micah Baldwin. Der Followfriday ist also nichts anderes als ein Tag, an dem man einen Twitteruser [...]

  • http://smartertwitter.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/follow-friday-explained/ Follow Friday Explained «

    [...] they think deserve your attention rather than following and hoping for a follow back. Here is the story from Micah from when it started on LearnToDuck.com (his [...]

  • Belma Baca

    What a thoughtful person your are! This is a great way to connect to other great people and make friends too. Thanks for sharing and caring. Blessings 2 U!
    Belma

  • http://innersync.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/starting-your-day-in-the-expanding-social-network/ Starting your day in the expanding social network « Innersync’s Weblog

    [...] to some conversations I see going on. After a while, you will notice your name showing up in the #followfriday lists (where fellow Twitterers suggest to all their followers the recommended people to [...]

  • http://www.midnightcheese.com/2009/04/followfriday-is-out-of-control/ Midnight Cheese

    #followfriday is out of control…

    In 4 short months, Follow Friday on Twitter has morphed from a great way to showcase interesting people, to a gluttonous spamfest now resulting in people jamming as many screennames as possible into 140 characters over and over again all day long.

    Fo…

  • Robyn Pollock

    I thinkkit can be a complement but my first bunch of FollowFridays were all socila media/computer types with which I have nothing in common – I d'idn't find anyone I wanted to follow

  • http://www.friskdesign.com/2009/04/18/how-to-twitter-responsibly/ Frisk design : Web Design & Consultancy in London » How to Twitter responsibly

    [...] Follow Friday is a useful networking idea: Every Friday you list some people that you’re following, giving some info on why they are useful. It’s a great way of bigging up the people that you find valuable and sharing that knowledge with the rest of your network. [...]

  • http://www.kennethlim.net/2009/03/27/twitter-today-2/ Twitter Today: March 27, 2009 | kenneth lim . net

    [...] The origin of #followfriday (From: @marketingprofs) [...]

  • myrnaslist

    A question Micah, when you or anyone does #followfridays what about the people who you forget. People should just look at who you follow. Your followfriday suggestions were perfect, 2-4 people but most people send lists of people out on Fridays.

    Someone above made a suggestion to say why they suggest who they do exactly like you did!! It makes me want to check those people out.

  • http://twitter.com/EYEAM Alyssa

    The “Bible” of Twitter's history is in the making and @Micah is the Messiah. I wonder if #followfridays is still a verse in Twitters Book of Genesis?…Anyway, need to get off the computer & rest up for the onslaught of #FF tmrw. I am plagued with “jewish guilt” when I get recommended and I don't return the compliment. Forget abt work / life balance…more like work / twitter balance. Who's gonna figure that one out? Only if Tweetdeck could read my mind and write my replies and tweets…@EyeAM

  • http://wrightcreativity.com/2009/04/my-opinion-on-followfriday/ My opinion on #followfriday | Wright Creativity

    [...] First: What is followfriday? If I’m not mistaken, it was started by @micah (Micah Baldwin) with one simple tweet. He catalogues what happened next… [...]

  • http://blog.green-options.com Msdiva22

    Just found FollowFriday on Twitter .. thanks for a great idea. It's always nice to have new ways of sharing and caring on Twitter.

  • http://passionista.net/2009/05/twitter-un-followfriday.html My Twitter Feed Needs Un#FollowFriday to Stay Useful | Uncategorized | Malaysian copywriter’s experiments with life

    [...] familiar with the phenomenon of #FollowFriday. It was started by Micah Baldwin, who decided to recommend remarkable “followees” to his followers. One of his friends then suggested that he use the tag #FollowFriday for that purpose. It was [...]

  • http://blogs.zdnet.com/weblife/?p=551 Follow Friday: Essential Webbies | The Web Life | ZDNet.com

    [...] to my new #followfriday series. Each Friday I will try to share with you a few people that I enjoy following on Twitter. [...]

  • http://blog.datenschmutz.net/2009-03/twitter-und-der-follow-friday/ datenschmutz.net

    Twitter und der Follow-Friday…

    Was ist eigentlich der Follow-Friday? Eine simple Idee, die aus einem einzigen Tweet entsprung und mittlerweile für einen beträchtlichen Teil des freitäglichen Microblogging-Traffic verantwortlich ist.
    ……

  • http://blog.datenschmutz.net/2009-03/twitter-und-der-follow-friday/ datenschmutz.net

    Twitter und der Follow-Friday…

    Was ist eigentlich der Follow-Friday? Eine simple Idee, die aus einem einzigen Tweet entsprung und mittlerweile für einen beträchtlichen Teil des freitäglichen Microblogging-Traffic verantwortlich ist.
    ……

  • http://www.twitter.com/juliephamous juliephamous

    I love this! What a great idea!

  • http://zoecorkhill.co.uk/2009/05/08/twitter-14-followfriday-suggestions/ Twitter – 14 #followfriday suggestions! | Zoe Corkhill

    [...] Follow Friday is a group meme on Twitter where everybody suggests new people to follow. It’s a great way of discovering new people on Twitter – you might even make some great new friends. [...]

  • http://twitter.com/granny7x brenda

    this is a great idea..I am now one of the suggested recipients of the #follow friday and I will let you know how it turns out…

  • http://community.ecmta.org/blogs/news/archive/2009/05/22/the-history-of-followfriday.aspx The History of #FollowFriday – News: Everything-e

    [...] Baldwin recounts his first day of Follow Friday on his site… I sent direct messages to a few of my friends: Chris Brogan, Erin Kotecki Vest, Aaron [...]

  • http://community.ecmta.org/blogs/news/archive/2009/05/22/do-you-know-how-followfriday-started.aspx Do You know how #FollowFriday started? – News: Everything-e

    [...] Baldwin recounts his first day of Follow Friday on his site… I sent direct messages to a few of my friends: Chris Brogan, Erin Kotecki Vest, Aaron [...]

  • http://rreedpc.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/do-we-really-need-followfriday/ Do We Really Need FollowFriday? « Richard Reed

    [...] How #FollowFriday all started: Follow Friday, Oh My! [...]

  • http://www.commodoreblack.com/?p=181 Follow Friday ritual | Commodore Black

    [...] attention. Following an idea by Micah Baldwin (www.twitter.com/micah) as described on his own site (http://learntoduck.com/micah/follow-friday). It is a way to show that you are proud of your friends and encourage others to follow [...]

  • http://virtualgambling.in/2009/05/do-you-know-how-followfriday-started/ Do You know how #FollowFriday started? : virtual gambling

    [...] Baldwin recounts his first day of Follow Friday on his site… I sent direct messages to a few of my friends: Chris Brogan, Erin Kotecki Vest, Aaron [...]

  • http://bloggonaut.afrobs-lifestyle.de/wie-der-twitter-followfriday-entstand Wie der Twitter #FollowFriday entstand « Bloggonaut.net

    [...] Erfinder des FollowFridays schreibt auf seiner Webseite zum weiteren “Tathergang” folgendes: I sent direct messages to a few of my friends: [...]

  • http://learntoduck.com/micah/fixing-followfriday fixing #followfriday.

    [...] fixing #followfriday. // By now, most people know that #followfriday originated with me. [...]

  • http://videos.webpronews.com/2009/05/29/followfriday-the-fad-that-adds-value-to-twitter/ Video: #FollowFriday, The Fad That Adds Value To Twitter

    [...] tweet, Micah simply wanted to recommend a couple of his friends. As he recalled the experience in a blog post, Micah wrote: “I started thinking about how proud I was to be friends with Danny and Jeffrey, [...]

  • http://blogfreenow.com/?p=16 Do You know how #FollowFriday started? | Blog Free Now

    [...] Baldwin recounts his first day of Follow Friday on his site… I sent direct messages to a few of my friends: Chris Brogan, Erin Kotecki Vest, Aaron [...]

  • http://gosocial.us/marketing-news/do-you-know-how-followfriday-started/ Do You know how #FollowFriday started? | GoSocial.us : Building Brands in Social Media and Online Marketing

    [...] Baldwin recounts his first day of Follow Friday on his site… I sent direct messages to a few of my friends: Chris Brogan, Erin Kotecki Vest, Aaron [...]

  • http://brian.shaler.name/ Brian

    I think it's cool what you did, and I agree with the principle. I never gave it a name, but from time to time, I recommend people to follow. Like this tweet back in December: http://twitter.com/brianshaler/status/1060884483

    Unfortunately, I think #followfriday made the whole process of recommending people to follow a little too insincere and institutionalized. (“#followfriday – [list of @names]“)

    In the end, Andrew Hyde was actually right. When I see #followfriday lists of names, I ignore them. It means very little to me. If I see tweets that say “@fancyjeffrey & @w1redone are among my favorite people” or better yet, tweets that say *why* they're someone's favorite people, there's a much better chance my interest with be piqued.

  • http://learntoduck.com/ micah

    Brian – I feel that the list of names grew for two reasons: 1) people want to recommend as many people as possible; 2) people didnt want to send multiple tweets.

    Of course, like everything online abuse happens. Has every #followfriday tweet become spam, of course not. In fact, the vast majority of #followfriday tweets are still exactly what they should be: recommendations.

    With people that follow tons of people (like you and Andrew), there is a perception that its a bigger issue, because of the sheer number of tweets you guys get. (Not only that, you guys who auto-followed, ended up following a lot of marketers and spammers).

    Still, it seems that everyone believes the same thing: reasons plus recommendations are better than recommendations alone.

  • http://www.everydaypublicrelations.com Kristina Summers

    I am so glad I found this. I love twitter but these #followfridays had me really confused! Thanks for clearing this up. I look forward to adding my follow suggestions!

  • http://brian.shaler.name/ Brian

    That makes me wonder about a tweet's worth and how much someone's favorite people might be worth to them. If the people you're recommending are really so stellar, why not honor them with an entire tweet? When I see #followfriday tweets with just a list of names and no context, it just seems insincere.

    I think Follow Friday might be a very small part in this trend, but people have been following more and more people. I think tools like TweetDeck, which allow you to “fake follow” people, have had more of an impact. While I currently follow 5,421, Twitterholic.com shows 1,000 people who follow 12,983 or more. A lot of people I know who used to follow 200-300 people are now starting to follow 1,000-5,000.

    I wish there was a way to remind people to share their favorite Twitterers with their friends that wouldn't result in list-type tweets. Something like #WhyIFollow, which would look awkward if no reasons were included.

  • http://barbararozgonyi-wiredprworks.com/2009/06/06/micah-baldwin-on-building-online-influence-wordcamp-chicago/ Building Online Influence with Blogs WordCamp Chicago Micah Baldwin | Wired PR Works

    [...] Micah Baldwin started #followfriday on twitter. [...]

  • http://interactiveamy.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/what-i-learned-at-wordcamp-chicago/ What I Learned at WordCamp Chicago « interactiveAmy

    [...] to Micah Baldwin, founder of #FollowFriday, if you truly want to be influential online, just influence one person.  He even provided a [...]

  • http://twitter.com/caiodaniel/statuses/2176824915 caiodaniel (Caio Daniel)

    RT @micah Follow Friday. Oh My! http://tinyurl.com/86ngro (via @tweetmeme) “Como começou o Follow Friday.

  • http://twitter.com/caiodaniel/statuses/2176824915 caiodaniel (Caio Daniel)

    RT @micah Follow Friday. Oh My! http://tinyurl.com/86ngro (via @tweetmeme) “Como começou o Follow Friday.

  • http://zoecorkhill.co.uk/2009/06/19/six-followfriday-suggestions/ Six #Followfriday Suggestions | Zoe Corkhill

    [...] Follow Friday is a group meme on Twitter where everybody suggests new people to follow. It’s a great way of discovering new people on Twitter – you might even make some great new friends. [...]

  • http://twitter.com/guilara/statuses/2243822029 guilara (Guilherme Lara)
  • http://twitter.com/guilara/statuses/2243822029 guilara (Guilherme Lara)
  • http://mikedesjardins.us/wordpress/2009/07/the-one-where-i-rant-about-followfriday-dos-and-donts/ mike desjardins » Blog Archive » The one where I rant about #FollowFriday – Do’s and Don’ts

    [...] What started as a quaint concept in a single tweet by Micah Baldwin (@micah) avalanched into an internet meme.  You can read about this phenomenon’s history in a great article on Mashable and on Micha’s own blog. [...]

  • http://www.socialblogr.com/ Gojeg

    Hmm..i never use #followfriday, but maybe i'll use from now.. :D Thanks.

  • http://appstime.blogspot.com VikasKM

    Hi how to have this moving twitter counter gadget which you have..????

    direcct to know tutorials or.. email me plzz..

  • Ashwati

    Very interesting and great to see it catching on like wild fire :)

  • http://www.twittcoach.com/2009/09/20/gedanken-zum-followfriday/ Gedanken zum FollowFriday at @TwittCoach

    [...] Eine genaue Chronologie der Ereignisse samt einer Statistik finden Sie auf dem Blog von Micah Baldwin [...]

  • http://staynalive.com/articles/2009/10/07/learn-how-to-game-twitter-at-my-blogworld-panel/ Learn How to Game Twitter at My BlogWorld Panel | Stay N’ Alive

    [...] with some big names in the industry, especially in Twitterville itself.  My friend Micah Baldwin, inventor of #followfriday will be joining us, along with Lucretia Pruitt, a.k.a. @GeekMommy on Twitter, and one of the [...]

  • http://www.family-learning-center.com/computers-technology/read-write-web/twitter-trends-in-2009-a-retrospective/ Twitter Trends in 2009: A Retrospective | Family Learning Center

    [...] Is Follow Friday, a charming concept created with the most harmless intentions by our dear friend Micah Baldwin, simply a trend that has seen its day? Or is there something about taste-making and multimedia [...]

  • http://www.multimediadev.ca/2010/01/01/twitter-trends-in-2009-a-retrospective/ Twitter Trends in 2009: A Retrospective – multimediaDev

    [...] Is Follow Friday, a charming concept created with the most harmless intentions by our dear friend Micah Baldwin, simply a trend that has seen its day? Or is there something about taste-making and multimedia [...]

  • http://www.readwriteweb.es/general/temas-del-momento-en-twitter-en-2009-retrospectiva/ Temas del momento en Twitter en 2009: retrospectiva | ReadWriteWeb España

    [...] en la sexta). ¿Se trata Follow Friday de un concepto encantador creado con la mejor intención por Micah Baldwin, o simplemente una tendencia que ya ha pasado? ¿O acaso hay algo en las recomendaciones sobre [...]

  • http://mediasosial.com/socialnetworking/twitter/effective-twitter-following-by-passive-recommendation/ Effective Twitter Following By Passive Recommendation – Media Sosial

    [...] have #FollowFriday hashtag. Micah Baldwin was the guy who invented Follow Friday, and you can read the history of #FollowFriday on his blog post. #FollowFriday has become a major meme in Twitterverse and some people do it religiously every [...]

  • http://klabonte.edublogs.org/2010/02/21/the-power-of-the-follow/ The Power of the Follow | All Hands on Deck

    [...] who Tweet list names of folks they think other Tweeters might want to follow. This custom has a sweet history.  Michah Baldwin, the originator,  says, It wasnt hard for people to suggest folks to follow, [...]

  • http://www.technologybitsbytesnibbles.info/2010/02/21/the-power-of-the-follow/ The Power of the Follow | Technology Bits Bytes & Nibbles

    [...] who Tweet list names of folks they think other Tweeters might want to follow. This custom has a sweet history.  Michah Baldwin, the originator,  says, It wasnt hard for people to suggest folks to follow, [...]

  • http://www.newyn.se/2010/03/meh-ar-det-fredag-nu-igen/ Meh! Är det fredag nu igen! | något närmare Newyn

    [...] det är fredag märks i allra högsta grad på twitter som har en tendens att bli lite spammigt just på fredagar. Fenomenet #FollowFriday som numera oftast kortas ner till #ff eller #ffse för [...]

  • http://coolwired.wordpress.com/2010/03/27/follow-fridays-on-twitter/ #Follow Fridays on Twitter « Coolwired’s Social Media Blog

    [...] 2) Micha Baldwin  The guy who started it all! [...]

  • http://www.socialmediacommando.com/twitter/follow-friday-list Follow Friday – Cool People You Should Know | Social Media Commando

    [...] Follow Friday — started by Micah Baldwin — can get pretty messy on Twitter. [...]

  • New York Photographer

    I'm a fan of #FollowFriday #FF, but whoever did this graffiti, is probably more of a fan than I ever will be: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4502960133_... @smartcrew

  • http://strike2blog.de/strike2/twitter-tipp-followfriday.html Twitter-Tipp: #followfriday | strike2blog

    [...] (Mehr Infos zur Historie gibt es hier: http://learntoduck.com/micah/follow-friday) [...]

  • http://denniserdmann.de/2010/05/empfehlung-des-tages-follow-friday/ „Follow Friday: Twitter sollte den Followfriday abschaffen!“ » Dennis Erdmann

    [...] gut diese Idee des Follow Friday ankam, beschreibt Micah sehr schön in einem Blogartikel mitsamt Statistiken. Eine knappe Woche später kam der Followfriday Trend auch außerhalb der USA an und macht seitdem [...]

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    Thank you for this blog post. The commenter, then, becomes the critic who shapes the writer’s next content. So I want to encourage you to keep on blogging in the same style as you writing style is really perfect.

  • http://www.b2bmarketingposse.com/?p=907 Using #FollowFriday for Your Business Blog | B2B Marketing Posse

    [...] started with Micah Baldwin (@micah) over a year ago as a way to recommend people on Twitter whose tweets you enjoy.  It quick [...]

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    “Well ,your details is really reasonable and you guy give us valuable informative air force one shoes post. I actually love playing various sports and I believe only sports can make you energetic. I like this forum because I learned so much knowledge in here,and there are all kinds of newest news to us Nike air force
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  • http://outsideininc.com/featured/what-is-followfriday-on-twitter/ What is #FollowFriday on Twitter? | OutsideIN

    [...] It all got started with one simple tweet from Micha Baldwin… [...]

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