I Don't Want to Post from HootSuite because it "posts from Hootsuite."

[mozcrush]

You know how when you post from Hootsuite, it "posts from Hootsuite." I want to be able to automate my posts, but have them "post from web."

Any suggestions for another social marketing dashboard I can use that will "post from web," allow me to automate and track my metrics? It doesn't have to be free, just reasonably priced.

Thanks in advance!

[CoreyNorthcutt]

This sort of message is going to appear on anything that posts from the API (which is how Twitter tells people to do things).  I still remember when a lot of the web-based tools didn't take oAuth, and Twitter actually forced a lot of people switch.  This even causes some known issues in making posts rank well with Facebook's EdgeRank post ranking algorithm, but is how the social sites want it done.

There are other tools, popular more amongst the "grey'er hats" that simply act like desktop macros, however, and don't seem to be following these API guidelines (one that comes to mind is TweetAttacks).

[mozcrush]

Thanks Corey. So, you're basically saying that even if I'm managing social profiles for several clients, I need to log on to their actual Facebook Pages/Twitter accounts each individually in order to "post from Web"?

[icecarats]

Twitter is trying to cut down on unattributed tweets by forcing people to use their API for automated/user not present tweets, and for the application to have a name. As Corey said though, you can easily fake out an auto-completed form page. It would look like your options are:

1. Make your own twitter oAuth app with it's own name (e.g. 'via MozCrush')

2. Manually log into each account and tweet accordingly

3. Make a database of clients and make your own platform that fakes logging in and posting. Probably take 2-3 days in php or .net or something like that. Probably want to build in timers so it doesn't look like you're posting to more than twitter account near-simultaneously.

[JohnW-UK]

I'm assuming you are trying to "hide" the tools you use. You should be selling your services as marketing and part of a strategy so it should not matter if people know you use a twitter management tool, you are being paid to provide a service of the content of the tweets and attract followers.

[SEM-Freak]

If so: I think your client will be more concerned about when you get traction not the service you use.

I mix and match where I post from. Bit.ly for real time content sharing, Hootsuite for scheduled Tweets ("From earlier:", when I am on holiday, etc.). Twitter itself for Retweets. TweetDeck for mobile when on the go. Etc.

Creating Advanced Segments in Google Analytics does the rest

[mozcrush]

So helpful. Thanks much for the list of which program to use for what. I love the tip about Advanced Segments...!

[mozcrush]

Great advice. Thank you, Valery. I'm going to research how to do this.

[JohnW-UK]

Totally agree!! Mix and match!!!

It's not just about twitter.... it's about having a creating a "social" identity for the company.... a persona....