From its inception, social media has always been about the romantic notion of connectivity. Full connectivity. Whether it’s being able to interact with the Internet in a more open manner than we’d ever known previously, or connecting with other like-minded people to share, advise and learn, social media and full connectivity have gone hand in hand. Until now.
I read a lot of blogs – some by the biggest names in social media, some by the rising stars, and some that are just entertaining reads by people starting to find their feet in this whole social media world. Then there are the non-niche blogs that are worth anybody’s time.
What I like most about these blogs (and the others that are recommended to me by friends) is the openness and free-to-all approach that they offer the reader. There’s no hidden agenda here – simply the proponents of social media and those interested in it, sharing views along the way.
Recently though, I’ve been leaving many of these blogs with the feeling that the authors are beginning to believe a little bit too much in their own hype. Instead of sharing openly with their readers and asking for opinions on how they view social media, the authors are instead preaching how to approach the medium.
This would be okay if it was merely helpful advice from someone who’s been there and done that. Sadly, it’s becoming less so. Instead, we’re treated to people virtually attacking the medium that gave them such a popular voice to begin with.
Example – there’s a particularly well-known tech blogger that recently chastised other bloggers for not name-checking thousands of blogs a day, or for not using tools like Google Reader in their sidebar to let other bloggers know what they‘re currently reading. This irks me.
Not everyone is (or wants to be) a professional blogger. Many simply use the medium for sharing their innermost thoughts with a curious world. So what if someone doesn’t want to link to another blog, or website, just for the sake of linking? Does that make them any less of a person (or blogger)? Does it mean they don’t deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as this tech blogger that raised the point in the first place?
Of course not.
There are many ways that bloggers can show appreciation of the work of others without blatant shout-outs and name checks all the time. Blogrolls, or links, for example. Or using an application like CommentLuv, that shows the last blog post of anyone leaving a comment.
Blogging shouldn’t be a private playground where the ’privileged few’ set the rules. Nor should social media. Instead, both should be methods of bringing people together to ultimately make the world a friendlier and better place. Shouldn’t we try keep it that way, before the snobs ruin it for everyone?
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Nicely said. And 100% agreed. Social media is still new and seems to change daily, that I often wonder why we have so many *gurus at all. If being a member of the “privileged few” is based upon the number of followers like it seems to be, I’m happy to take a back seat but am honestly becoming bored with the 101 courses.
I tweeted this the other day: Where are all of the gurus for the social media *experienced like me? I’m not a newbie, and can only read about the benefits of Twitter so many times
Say something insightful that doesn’t link to yourself at least once each day. Then maybe I’ll continue to follow you.
Mich´s last blog post..michsineath: @PressReleasePR Did you change your blog theme? I like it
Mr. Brown,
Thank you for this post. As a writer new to the blogiverse I appreciate your stand. People like me, while trying to “improve the brand” really just want to join the conversation. We use a few, but not all of the tools available to Social Media users. I am in awe and do respect those in the know for their experience and accomplishments, and they are examples to aspire to. I feel a bit intimidated commenting on some blogs because the people who post them come across as very high powered, and a little judgemental. If we are to truly be a “community” of writers, we have to have an inclusive approach to anyone who is credible and articulate, despite the number of apps and widgets are associated with thier name and brand. I know you PR people are intense, but not everyone is pushing out here in blogland, some of us are just trying to connect.
I actually read the comments referenced above last week. I was quite surprised by the content. They reminded me of comments made by Keen in his book ‘Cult of the Amateur’. Both seem to suggest that information generation should be left to the professionals. I believe the phrase ‘elitist’, as used by Keen best defines this attitude. Whilst Keen is admittedly more open to his rejection of user generated content, RS is less blatant. The value given to the opinions of each of the authors will invariably depend upon the recipient, however this seems to me to represent a step backwards.
When I blog, I like to think that I am contributing to existing knowledge whilst simultaneously developing my own understanding of the medium. I am young, and have never profited from the social media, so there remains a lot to learn from social media giants such as RS. I feel increasingly less inclined to do so however when my contributions are discounted by such authors purely because I lack the reach which they achieve through their efforts. Arguably, I would love my thoughts to be more visible, but it is unlikely that such visibility will be quickly achieved.
In any case, I am happy in the knowledge that people are able to see my thoughts on social media and perhaps even learn from them. Perhaps RS should remember the reasons why he started blogging and recognise that maybe, just maybe that is the reason why the social media has taken off the way it has.
Thanks again Danny, another great article. Keep up the good work.
The Lovable Rogue´s last blog post..To Regulate or not to Regulate? That is the Question…
@ Mich. Thanks Mich, and glad to know it isn’t just me that feels this way.
I agree, it does seem that because social media is still so new, some people feel that they should be declared the voice of it all and that everyone should follow that opinion. I’m not saying the opinion itself may be wrong; but the approach of “do as I say or you’re not relevant” certainly is. Hopefully as the medium continues to grow, so does the attitude towards it.
@ Virginia. Firstly, welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!
I know how you feel, and hopefully I’ll never come across as sounding too “high powered” or “judgmental”. At the end of the day, we’re all in this together and every person has something of value to say – reputations are no replacement for courtesy and involvement. As far as PR goes, I know where you’re coming from – although, again, I’d like to think I stay apart from much of the old-school PR industry and offer a more involving and open approach that includes everyone’s opinion – promoting what you want to read about as opposed to promoting what you should read about. Feel free to correct me if I ever stray from this 
@ The Lovable Rogue. Thanks Chris – I wholeheartedly agree with you. It seems that the more popular a medium becomes, the more people start to take over and impose their thoughts on how it should be. I’m a little surprised it came from RS – I would have thought of all people, it would come from someone that isn’t as ingrained in the community he’s complaining about. As you rightly say, at the end of the day it should be about the taking part and building upon what social media already has going for it, as opposed to forcing people away because of elitist views.
Thanks for reading and commenting, guys, I appreciate it.
Oh well… this sort of thing was bound to happen eventually. People always take themselves too seriously, especially if they’re involved in the technology scene.
Ultimately though, these views, no matter how controversial, only have as much value as you give them. These gurus might believe that they hold the monopoly on truth, but the whole web is much too diverse to hold any absolutes.
Scobleizer has his own ideals, his own principles and his own way of doing things. Nobody says they should be yours too (except Scobleizer that is
)
Regards, George
George Cozma´s last blog post..More Link Love, an Upcoming Contest, Some Twitter Musings and Why Entrecard Sucks
I guess that’s the nature of the beast with some folks…
Here's the other side of that coin: Opinions have been expressed through newspaper and magazine writing for decades. In columns and editorials people sharply push their viewpoint upon other readers. Not because all of the readers will agree, but because the readers value what those “thought leaders” have to say. Good or bad.
We as readers have a responsibility to sort through the writing in blogs, just as we have for many years in print materials.
Are you suggesting that we have no social media leaders or thought leaders in this area at all? Certainly I am not accusing you of this, simply playing devils advocate to make a point.
Not suggesting this at all, Jennifer
It all boils down to choice, as you mention. I stopped reading certain newspapers because of journalists on it, and I unsubscribed from blogs where it's “you should” as opposed to “you could, and here's how.”
The great thing is we have the choice; the trick is for some that believe their own hype to accept that too