Disqus - Latest Comments for GeekMommy

Re: The difference between ad:tech and Blogworld

GeekMommy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:33:17 -0000

"The people that control the money have yet to make the leap."
You know, part of this is that the people who advise the people who control the money have yet to make the leap as well. I cannot begin to explain the number of times in the past year I have said to someone with a background of traditional ad agency thinking: "Social Media isn't just digital marketing on someone's social networking platform. Just because you use a tool that can be used by Social Media Marketing doesn't mean that you are *doing* Social Media Marketing. eMail can be used as a SM tool, but it can also be used as a direct marketing tool. The tool doesn't dictate the methodology, it's the other way around."

Have I been understood when I said that? Mostly, no. I get a nod of the head and "yeah, yeah, yeah, of course!!" and the very next thing that I've heard strategically from the person who agreed so vehemently is essentially the equivalent of the banner ad on Facebook.

I've talked to Marketing people in Fortune 100 companies. When I talk to them, they not only get what I'm saying, they get how big a shift in thinking that is and how it's not going to happen overnight internally in their companies. Additionally though, I've been asked before why none of the agencies they talk to have brought it to them this way? The answer is the same. Those agencies are filled with people who get Ad:tech but don't get BWE. Their also filled with people who are fairly sure that this whole "social media fad" will die off.

Sadly, the money goes where the path of least resistance is.

Re: The chat room/forum problem (& an apology to @Technosailor)

GeekMommy — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:13:07 -0000

You have managed to generate some *passionate* discussions the past couple of days Robert!

I do rather wonder where we all go next. I've actually been using Facebook way more than I used to, strictly because Twitter has gotten more broadcast than conversational of late with the influx of people. I've also taken to reading more blogs than I used to because of the desire for finding information that interests me rather than (as you put it) 'cat pictures'.

I suspect you're not quite as enamored of 'controlled' conversations as you posit here though Robert... as it is the unplanned encounter that changes our viewpoint best. Still - we all have our threshholds. Sometimes you just need to walk away from some places, scale back on others, and ramp up others.

I think you're finding your balance. :)

Re: Twitter Lists- Im Not Down

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:14:31 -0000

I outlined it more thoroughly in my own post today, but as to how the Lists can be scammed more easily than even following? Only if you're willing to go through and see if 1) the lists are all by different accounts and 2) they are all positive lists (is Chris on 50 good lists or 50 negative lists? or maybe 25 of each?) then will it be useful. Putting the number on peoples' profiles indicates it's a metric when it really isn't.

Re: Twitter’s lists make Chris Brogan feel bad

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:27:17 -0000

Makes sense... but think about all the time we're going to have to invest in maintaining these lists. I'd rather spend that time interacting with people. It's why I've never really managed to twig to the groups feature on 3d party apps - I just don't want to spend the time updating/maintaining them when I could be twittering! :)

Re: Twitter’s lists make Chris Brogan feel bad

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:25:15 -0000

I think I get that.

You know, before I got rid of them yesterday, you were the first person I added to my "People Who Make Me Think" list. You're still top of that list, even if it's not a formal "list" on Twitter any more.
I may not always agree with your conclusions but I do always find that you make me examine my own perspective and analysis and that more often than not, you add to my awareness.

I'm very honored to be on your follow list Robert, but I'm even more fortunate to follow you. You're the one who originally made me see the power of twitter and who you follow being more important than who follows you. I've learned a lot thanks to you the past couple of years.

Thanks Robert!

Re: Twitter Lists- Im Not Down

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:38:20 -0000

addendum:

Someone else (whom I won't name b/c it was a DM) just mentioned to me the fact that subjectivity plays a huge part in lists that cause issues.

Let's say I was making a list of "Social Media Thought Leaders" but (strictly hypothetically) I couldn't stand you Chris, or I always disagreed with your viewpoints. Am I likely to put you on the list because I know that you are, in fact, one of those leaders despite the fact that I don't want to follow or endorse you?

Lists are going to prove to be a bigger negative than a positive in the long run.

There are "shoulds" -- people *should* use lists to enlighten other users, they *should* not be offended or hurt if they are left off of a list... and there are realities -- people will use lists to manipulate, game the system, increase their perceived influence, troll, malign others and people will be offended and hurt if they feel left out by someone whom they care for or respect.

Re: A loss for words.

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:58:31 -0000

I always come to your blog a day or two after you write something that makes me cry... You have such a way with making me wish I were around for more of your stories and your insight.

I am so sorry for the loss of your grandmother - she must've been one amazing woman given how much just a couple of paragraphs makes me wish I'd known her.

My heart goes out to your whole family, Micah.

Clearly though, you are just one of many of an amazing family. And yeah, I think you're pretty amazing. "Black sheep" or not.

Take care of you, my friend. ((hug)) Some day? Let's grab a cup of coffee - you can tell me more stories about your Babu... I'd love to hear them.

Re: Twitter Lists- Im Not Down

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:49:44 -0000

Do you recall how I met you?
You had this really awesome idea that would help new users - Twitter Packs. I railed and ranted and posted against it. It was exclusionary and contrary to the open and non-elite nature of Twitter!! Oh, and I mistakenly thought it was sexist...(word choice, I admitted I was wrong.) This was back in 2007, right?

I'm glad you and I are on the same page now. At least with your wiki idea anyone could edit a list/pack... now? Now we've got a whole new game for people to play thanks to Twitter.

I will never really understand why people think that it's okay to make other people feel crappy and left out simply because they don't care whether or not someone leaves them out.

The justification I keep hearing for why it's okay to make people feel that way? That they shouldn't.

Let's start acknowledging the reality versus the ideals. If everyone you know was invited to a party but you weren't - it feels like crap. You aren't going to go to the host and say "hey... um, you left me off the invite list... was that a mistake or not?" unless you have a cast-iron self image or reason to believe the former.

Public lists are not the same as private filtering views.

Honestly? I was making some lists - but I've just realized that I'm probably going to post about this tomorrow as I delete them all.

Thanks for stepping up to bat Chris. And thanks for making me realize that yeah, I really AM against them.

Re: Twitter’s lists make Chris Brogan feel bad

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:40:15 -0000

Actually, there's kind of an irony to me about this whole discussion.

I met Chris over the whole "Twitter Packs" idea - which I said was exclusionary and contrary to the public spirit of Twitter back in what? 2007? It was his idea and I understood where it came from and how it was intended to be helpful. But I also sow how it could damage the community.

Now I'm on the same side of the table as Chris - and the opposite of yours.

Lists *could* be great - if everyone approached them from the viewpoint you do. But they won't Robert. They'll be misused, abused, and a whole new source of twitter gaming. Where people used to try and amass follower numbers to convince others they had reach and influence, they will soon game list numbers.
How long before accounts are created that solely "list" a series of users names under tags like "social media" "social media guru" "thoughtleader" etc so that the number that says "lists" under their name is high?
How long before we start getting the obnoxious "get on 300 lists today by joining insertshortlinkhere.com!!" spam?

Following someone is NOT just a form of lists. It means that I actually have them in my twitterstream. You aren't ever forced to view a list again once you've made it. You can simply list dozens of names and never go back to that particular view, but just stay in your own private view. I can see your lists without ever having to follow someone. Not in the mood to read their crap on a given day? Just don't look at that list. Following is a level of commitment for me.

As it is? I'm not on a single one of your lists. And if I'm being utterly truthful? Yeah, it stung just a little bit that I'm worth talking to in person, but didn't make any of your "more complete" lists. It actually prompted this tweet http://twitter.com/GeekMommy/status/5332041425 before I found out you had written this post.

If anything, I'm finding that lists are one of those shiny objects that get coders in trouble so often... they do something based on "can we do X?" rather than "should we do X?"

I don't think you are acknowledging the downside of lists. While they have the ability to be something awesome the way that you are trying to use them? They are also have the ability to be horribly misused and to hurt people. And honestly? I don't really want to hurt people I like. Do you?

Re: Twitter’s lists make Chris Brogan feel bad

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:24:38 -0000

Oh... now I'm wondering who else you left off of your complete lists? Popularity is not the same as accuracy.

Re: Twitter’s lists make Chris Brogan feel bad

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:23:28 -0000

http://twitter.com/listing_all_the/
Yep. I was curious what lists I was being included on... this lovely troll account popped up. Blocking it solved my issue - but this will become more and more common shortly.
Fun having to track that sort of thing down all the time, eh?
Would be particularly fun if that showed up on your Google search (not.)

Re: Why Speakers Shouldn’t Be Paid

GeekMommy — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:00:26 -0000

So, let me get this straight... You want me to TEACH people information and skills that it took me years to get - but you think I should do that for free?

Yeah. Not.

I go to conferences that ARE community to give back and speak for them for free. But when you've got someone charging hundreds, even thousands of dollars, to participants? They are paying me for my time, my knowledge, and my experience. I'm sure as heck not going to make them tons of money as a "charitable" experience.

I speak at BlogHer for free because that's a community that is one I give back to. But I won't ever speak for free for someone who just wants to profit off of information, experience, and knowledge that it took me years to acquire no matter how passionate I am about what I do.

Sorry, but you missed the mark here 100% in my book Andrew.

Re: Lijit contributes analysis to Technorati State of the Blogosphere 2009

GeekMommy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:58:39 -0000

It should come as no surprise that Lijit is in the heart of this! Awesome of Technorati to realize just how powerful your tool is! :)

Re: Alienate Your Female Customers? Pepsi Has An App For That

GeekMommy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:11:39 -0000

ew.
Way to objectify women AMP.

Re: Bringing Trust Agents and Six Pixels to You

GeekMommy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:25:06 -0000

That's seriously a heckuva deal given the results.

Re: On Winning the Nobel Prize

GeekMommy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:02:00 -0000

Congrats on your almost-won-a-Nobel status! ;)

Re: When Should You Use Your Own Language

GeekMommy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:53:16 -0000

Given that I know you tend to write well in advance of the curve, the timing of this post is intriguing in that "serendipitous" sort of way... Today's hijacking of the #nestlefamily hashtag to further a different conversation plays into this somehow - I know it.
I'll be interested to see if you address it with relation to this "framing the conversation" even tho it's technically tangential.
Always interested in your perspective Mr. B.

Re: What I Told Them At New Media Atlanta

GeekMommy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:50:01 -0000

Loving BackNoise.com - will be interesting to see what comes of it.

Re: Antifeatures: big mistake that location app developers make

GeekMommy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:35:34 -0000

Agreed.
One of the biggest reasons it's an "anti-feature"? There's no opt-out.

Until someone has been stalked by a psychopath? You can't really understand why there are those of us who absolutely hate to use an app that *forces* you to disclose your exact location.

Heck, most "normal" people freak out when they see the aerial view from Google Maps (also helpful to stalkers) - forced disclosure = dangerous for personal safety.

Re: 12 Top Social Media Agencies

GeekMommy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:08:48 -0000

You know, I have a feeling this list is going to expand a bit quickly!

But the team at CollectiveBias is really happy to be included amongst some amazing agencies. Thanks Jason!

I have to say, one of the best parts of this field is how much room there is and how incredible it is to see a list like this and know how many of these folks work together on a regular basis to make our field better and more exciting!

It's a great list Jason - and we're proud to be included.

Re: 12 Top Social Media Agencies

GeekMommy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:04:32 -0000

We will totally have a fully functional site just as soon as we can slow down long enough to let our creative team loose on it! Right now? We're busy focusing on our clients! :)

But trust me - when we get to us? It's going to be epic!

Re: 12 Top Social Media Agencies

GeekMommy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:02:15 -0000

Wouldn't be a Top list without you guys Maggie! SMG rocks! :)

Re: 12 Top Social Media Agencies

GeekMommy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:59:47 -0000

Think you're right on that one - know that Scott Monty & Julia Roy were working on that in NYC at the launch.

Re: Community Can Be SO Powerful

GeekMommy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:21:35 -0000

This has been sitting on an open tab all day waiting for me to have the chance to read it... well worth the read (as always.)

But I'm still a bit conflicted, if I'm honest. I'm hating the way people interchange "community" with "collective" and "being a part of your community" with "decision by committee"...

Are communities created or do they develop? Are they organic or artificial? Are they solid entities or overlapping venn diagrams?

Perhaps I don't get "community" as it's being used by so many these days. Fortunately, the communities I feel a part of seem to not get it right along with me... because I'd hate the lack of freedom of anything else.

Still, you are a catalyst for these ponderings Mr. Brogan - and that's a good thing.

Re: Community Can Be SO Powerful

GeekMommy — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:06:21 -0000

"If "community" represents a means to you rather than an end, I'm not at all sure that you can ever really be rehabilitated" is one of the most resonating things I've read of late. Thank you.