Social Media Police On-Patrol
As someone who’s been heavily engaged in Social Media since the early days, I am both intrigued, encouraged and baffled by its evolution. It definitely seems as if the Social Media Kool-Aid has been digested: the Twitterati, at least, are big believers in engagement for its own sake, and many uphold the highest ideals of this movement… with a vengeance.
For example, yesterday on Twitter I asked for “examples of brands using Twitter to broadcast their news vs. engaging the community.” To be fair, my original question was much more cavalier: “What brands are doing a LAME job on Twitter, Facebook?” — Although a few people provided examples, I got just as many responses suggesting that I was “being too negative;” that we need to “focus on more positive examples,” etc.
Basically I got bitch-slapped by the community!
That’s fair, that’s fine. It’s true I came across as pretty flip with my original question. Still, I’ll admit there was a part of me that thought, “Really? Have I not built up enough goodwill that folks know my intentions are generally good? Can’t I get the benefit of the doubt, yet?”
I am delighted that the Social Media community is becoming legitimately self-policing — and that it arcs toward “thinking positive.” That’s actually great to see, given how snarky some folks can get online. But I also urge everyone involved to pick their battles. To paraphrase one of my responses to the critics yesterday, “the world isn’t going to change, for better or worse, based on one tweet.”
What do you think? Was I too thin-skinned yesterday? Have you also seen increasing examples of “politically correct” policing in Social Media circles?
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Social Media Comments
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Social Media – are you thinking positively or negatively? RT @tweetmeme Social Media Police On-Patrol [link to post] -
RT @TDefren: Was I too thin-skinned? Probably. But it got me thinking… New post: Social Media Police On-Patrol. [link to post] -
Interesting, light read, but gets you thinking RT @TDefren: New post: Social Media Police On-Patrol. [link to post] -
I thought it was an interesting question. Politically correct=people that won’t let me think for myself. #fail @TDefren [link to post] I -
RT @Aerocles: RT @TDefren: Is there too much “politically correct” policing in Social Media circles? [link to post] -
RT @TDefren: Is there too much “politically correct” policing in Social Media circles? [link to post] [What do you all think?] -
RT @tdefren “Social Media Police On-Patrol” [link to post] -
@TDefren wasn’t there a politician that said we are a nation of whiners? and people whined about it? -
What do you think? Was @tdefren ’s “bitch slapping” (his words, no mine) justified yesterday? [link to post]-
@arikhanson I appreciate @tdefren ’s sentiment – it’s easy to celebrate “successes,” harder to celebrate failures (learn)-
@tsauce I tend to agree. Plus, @tdefren ’s point about his credibility is a valid one. Of all people, I think he’s earned that right.
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@arikhanson not hardly. @tdefren asked who’s doing a “lame job” so positive/negative judgement is up to responder.
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Commented on @tdefren’s Social Media Police On-Patrol [link to post]
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Nah, not to thin skinned. I think the bigger issue is that because people have become so fanatic about social media, a lot of people are terrified to read anything negative about it. Yet, with all good things there is a bad side. There are companies who are failing with it. There is bad behavior among both the long-time users and the novices. There is a bubble around social media that sometimes needs to be popped. I’ve found that the ones who are most likely to cry over someone pointing out negatives are the same ones who are doomed to fail, because they are refusing to look at the industry with open eyes.
Well said, Jennifer. There is an “up with people”/”everyone’s a winner” vibe within the social media echo chamber that will keep us treading water if we don’t actually cast a critical eye on the space. Criticism is not inherently negative. You can engage in debate without it getting personal.
I’ve actually found myself using the phrase “pick your battles” more and more lately in this space. You will quickly tire yourself out if you react to every little thing that people say.
Another issue you touch on here is the face value mentality on twitter. It’s common practice for people to look at a tweet, and forget that there’s a context around each one. When we’re limited to 140 char. it is dangerous to look at every message for it’s face value. You have to always keep in mind, who, what, when, where and why. Context.
Someone should create an network called the Social Media Self Policing Network…a group of really anal people that just sit online and call each other out on everything. =P
@DavidSpinks
Todd, I thought your question yesterday was thought provoking. I personally follow a variety of brands to see how they either engage or just broadcast to LEARN from this. Not to be negative, and..well, maybe constructively negative? But, to learn. Some brands have a natural tendancy towards embracing community, some are broadcasting their news, and others are doing a little bit of both. I am here to learn, and to create a Twitter presence that is authentic for my brand (@optaros) and will continue to improve this process.
On the poictially correct policing note. I have always disliked politically correct thinking, and policing. If we are not allowed to have unique points-of-view, then where is the authentic conversation? I want to ask, learn, listen, consider alternatives and keep the conversation alive and my mind OPEN. Just my POV ; )
I don’t think you got too thin skinned, but one thing is that Twitter is such a large community, so making rules or guidelines isn’t really possible. Different people use Twitter in different ways, so if all one person needs from a brand is some news updates, rather than interaction, they will be pleased with how that brand is using the platform. Obviously interaction is necessary to most, including me, but I’m only one user within an enormous community. With so many people seeing your Tweets, it has to be expected that there will be negative chatter/responses, so frankly I’d say it’s impossible to always “think positive” within this community.
Not at all. I don’t quite get the feeling that there should be only positive talk about SM. If all SM was inherently “good” there wouldn’t be any need for most of the so-called/self proclaimed evangelists, experts, etc., now would there? Looking at the bad examples–as well as the good –has always been an integral part of developing solid strategies, tactics,campaigns…in all marketing disciplines. Why should SM be any different?
Tools are tools. That I can build a bad birdhouse doesn’t mean hammers and saws suck. Likewise, Bob Vila’s birdhouse doesn’t “validate” hammers and saws.
I think trying to create standards (especially standards as seemingly-foolish as “everybody play nice”) is such an unrealistic expectation for people in this industry. Similar to Noreen’s point, I think we hear all this buzzword overuse of the word “authenticity” with everyone wanting people to be authentic, yet when it comes to an honest discussion of who does or does not do things well, we suddenly don’t want to authentically point out the bad? It makes me think of the “everybody gets a trophy” philosophy of grade-school level soccer leagues. Sure you have happy feelings, but if nobody points out that a person (or brand) is doing something poorly, how will they know that they ever need to improve?
Also, David’s comment made me think of the Arrested Development episode where the “whistle-blowers” at the office are blowing their whistles on the people who didn’t turn in their whistles. Then I laughed out loud for 15 seconds.
Great question and topic of discussion, Todd.
Interesting post. Few quick comments –
1) It’s possible to be snarky and think positive/be well intentioned.
2) There’s certainly more policing, though I don’t know what it’s about political correctness or more appropriately inappropriate conduct. Most of what I see on twitter isn’t PC, but most of the callouts aren’t about being PC, they’re about someone being a buffoon.
Cheers.
Quite simply…people need to grow a pair.
If you suck. You suck.
If you rock. You rock.
Your place in the food chain can change extremely fast. Just be ready and make adjustments as necessary by listening to criticism.
One of the first things I noticed as I got more involved in the social media space is that everyone is nice..on speed. It’s the most PC place on earth. It’s rare to find negativity, especially among folks focused on 1)growing social media adoption and 2)gaining their own following. If a big hitter says something negative (i.e. Skittles, Motrin), it explodes, because it’s ok to agree with a thought leader/influencer.
I think self-policing is the goal, but not because someone is going against groupthink. Breaking out of the rah rah social media talk is a good thing.