Is it "correct" to welcome to my social community an authority figure?

[BeytzNet]

Hi,

I just "earned" an authority figure as a follower on my company's twitter account (not a big account - 600 followers).

The authority figure is the founder of a very relevant and big niche news site.

Should I welcome her to my community? Is it correct putting her on the spot?
Will it offend other followers who I don't welcome?

(Needless to say that I would love the opportunity to blog with them etc. - to have a relationship)

Thanks

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hi,

There are no real rules around this and if you haven't said 'welcome' to others, I might be tempted to avoid doing so this time. People won't be following your Twitter account in order to have you welcome them; it is more about what you have to say and offer.

Keep up with the level of Twitter activity and if you wish to engage with them, watch out for their Tweets and start by commenting and re-tweeting what they say. It is a nice way to ease into making more contact with them.

Andy

[BeytzNet]

Thanks, makes sense.

How about just retweeting something of hers that correlates with my site?
This will also put me "on her radar" but in a more subtle way - wouldn't you say...

Another last minute edit...
Going through her tweets I just noticed someone else (big with 10,000 followers) thanking her stating its an honor. The figure then favorited it and RT it in her line...

Does that change the answer?

[Andy.Drinkwater]

No, it still wouldn't change anything for me, but remember, there are no rules around this, only etiquette.

Re-tweeting her Tweets is one of the points I mentioned above

I would keep it subtle and not rush to try and gain her attention. She isn't going to unfollow you because you didn't say welcome, but I would start to engage with her.

Andy

[billhartzer]

BeytzNet, I would make every attempt to welcome everyone to your community, not just authority figures. Treat them just as if they're anyone else who has just joined.

If you owned a restaurant and a celebrity walked in, would you give them special treatment? I hope not. They're just there to eat, not be paraded around in front of everyone. Welcome them to the community, welcome them to your restaurant, and give them the same special service that you would anyone else.

[BeytzNet]

I suspected that hence the original question.

About greeting everyone... not a possibility for me at this time (maybe a weekly welcome with no name dropping).

Thanks