IZEA is in the process of launching Sponsored Tweets. Sponsored Tweets is just what it sounds like — sponsored updates (tweets) that are posted to a public and active Twitter account.
I am not new to paid tweets. I have been doing a few of them via be-a-magpie.com. I haven’t done enough to get a payout (an account balance must reach $50 before a payout can be completed), but I will one of these days.
Anyway, I am all for paid tweets — just as I am all for paid blogging — so long as there is disclosure. When it comes to blogs, I prefer per-post disclosure, but am willing to do sitewide disclosure. But with Twitter, where every individual update is limited to only 140 characters and can’t be hidden or obscured from viewing, as you can parts of blog entries, I feel that per-tweet disclosure is an absolute must.
And because Twitter provides so many updates from so many users, all of which are available on public timelines, I think it’s important for Twitter users to be responsible and considerate of their followers, and not go overboard with posting sponsored updates. Personally, I plan on adopting a 1:10 ratio — no more than one sponsored tweet for every ten of my own tweets.
I’m really excited to try out Sponsored Tweets. I was invited to be an early adopter of an account, and I have an active profile set up, though so far I haven’t received an offer from an advertiser. I’m sure I will, and I will update again on sponsoredtweets.com when I have had some experience with it.
In the meantime, I’ll keep tabs on what’s happening via Twitter and technology blogs. I have also been contacted by a reporter at the Orlando Sentinel, who will be doing a piece on sponsored tweets. I’m really looking forward to the phone interview!
I’d also love to hear your feedback. What are your thoughts on paid tweeting, and paid blogging in general?


Personally, I see no problem with paid tweets or blog posts. I think it should be up to the blogger/tweeter whether or not they do them. And if people don’t like them, they don’t have to read those tweets/posts.
I was invited to be an early adopter at SponsoredTweets.com as well, and I think I know why you haven’t gotten anything – it’s still not open to advertisers! For some reason, they have not opened up the site for advertisers, so we’re all sitting around waiting. LOL I’m hoping they open up for advertisers soon so we can all try it out.