[Anonymous238]

How is this a good thing? You want users to visit a promo page, where they're forced to retweet the content before getting access? This sounds awfully familiar to those sites that ask you to share a referral link with 10 friends, or complete a survey before receiving a free gift that doesn't exist. Also reminds me of the days of browsing warez online. Click these three links to vote for us on Top 100 sites, then you'll get access to the file. They're just taking people hostage and encouraging spam on social networks.

[k-mcgrady]

It could be useful if done right.

>> "before receiving a free gift that doesn't exist"

Presumably if this was done by someone like Coca-Cola you would receive something for sharing the page. The spam problem could be improved by asking them to tweet their own content + link rather than a predefined message. e.g. Tweet your favourite thing about [brand] and get [reward]. And the tweet would be [your message] + link.

These techniques could be used in interesting ways - most people just don't bother.

>> "You want users to visit a promo page, where they're forced to retweet the content before getting access?"

Also if the user is getting something of value I don't see the problem with asking them to do something to get it. They aren't being forced, they are being given a choice. Do this thing and get rewarded. Don't do it and life goes on.

[Anonymous238]

You're basically buying tweets at that point, and I'm completely against the concept. I go the exact opposite route with my community and promise users they'll never have to jump through a single hoop. In return, I get a lot of respect and loyal members. People know when you're trying to use them. It leaves a bad taste in their mouth, and they don't forget. A good reputation is better than a few thousand likes or tweets.

[sejje]

Feels better. Not sure it's worth more.

[OGC]

This shit has been done before and it's never useful, it's fucking spam.

[laumars]

> They're just taking people hostage and encouraging spam on social networks.

Isn't that what social networks are for these days. They're just junk mail by another name.

[ryanhuff]

It can be bait to incentivize people to more closely follow a brand. Exlusive, limited time offers for people that follow on twitter and Facebook.

[Anonymous238]

How would this work though? If their secret message is a coupon code, or URL, they need to check server side the number of times it's been activated, or accessed. Otherwise, it's going to get mirrored and used 10,000 times instead of the intended 1,000 limited supply. If it's being checked server side, what's the purpose of using this site, instead of just sharing the code or URL directly with your fans?