It seems lately there has been a tremendous amount of discussion on auto-curation and whether or not it is a genuine form of Social Media.
I decided that, as an admitted non-expert in the realm of Social Media, it is important for me to chime in on this debate because I have an opinion and therefore it must be shared (Sensing my sarcasm?).
Before I share my personal thoughts on the matter, I want to provide a bit of background about the root from which this debate sprouted. At this point, there seem to be two sides to the conversation and, I suppose you could say, a third side of indifference.
Side 1 – Free Choice: On this side of the argument, the premise is that your online presence is yours to do with what you choose. If you want to auto tweet content and curate content, even when you are not there, then that is fine. If people don’t like it, the beauty is they can choose to not follow or pay attention to what you are sharing. This side tends to be comprised of busy executive and entrepreneurs who understand the value of Social Media but, unfortunately, lack the time to be as active as required to fully engage, personally.
Side 2 – Social Purity: This side of the argument declares that Social Media must be done in the present and nothing should ever be shared unless you are sharing it in real time. Therefore, scheduled tweets, blog tribes, or other methods of “Absentee Sharing” must be avoided, at all costs. If you commit the faux paux of auto sharing then you are deemed “Unpure” and you must repent your sins or be forever relegated to the role of Social Media Spinster/Novice/Butcher or other name to be determined. This particular side of the argument seems to be made up of a small community of Social Media users who believe in high level of engagement and generally a very small audience because time needs to be spent on each and every item shared.
As I said, there is a large group that doesn’t care whatsoever so, by default, probably lend themselves to the first group.
The Answer: Okay, it isn’t an answer, rather an opinion, but if you can’t tell from the above, I choose free choice. The caveat is that I don’t really care if you are for social purity; I just care if you invest energy in judging, berating, or brow beating those that don’t agree with you (by the way, this applies no matter what side of the argument you are on).
The fact here is that Social Media is very much brand marketing. In many cases it is “Your” brand and you should have the choice how to manage it. If your method is direct selling (small and closely held engagement) then great! If you are a TV advertisement or Billboard (Broad sharing and promoting) then that is great too. I think there is room for all types in the world of social media. I will friend, connect, follow, and add those that I choose; others are welcome to do the same.
Bottom line: There is no right or wrong way to do Social Media. Only your way. But just remember, when you choose “The Way” you have to live with the consequences for better or for worse.
So what is your way?
Great Job Daniel,
I agree with every single word of this post.
Respect Sir.
Not much to respond to – but thanks Kenny – I’m so grateful for your support.
I love this post ~ because it opens up the opportunity for real discussion! Before I take sides, I’ll put some thoughts out on Side 1 and Side 2, respectively …
Social media is a shovel. Generally, one uses a shovel to dig a hole. That hole can be used to house a foundation. If you use social media as one of the tools that works to support your foundation (i.e. overall business development strategy) then you are on the path to conversions, business results, and ROI. Employing social media, and its attendant and ever growing automated adjuncts, may be considered akin to utilizing voice mail to increase productivity. It detracts from neither the quality of communication nor the level of service; rather, it behooves both if used appropriately and effectively. Embracing technology to more closely connect with your prospects makes sense. Simply become educated to know what ‘appropriate’ means to your client and prospect base.
You can also use a shovel to dig a grave and then jump into it.
I’m digging Side 1.
Great post, Daniel, as always.
Since you are such a deep thinker, I will simplify my response to….
The shovel is a tool, choose how you use it
Love having your friendship! Dan
(The irony in this is that I clicked on an auto-tweet from Triberr).
I think most of this has to do with what people perceive as integrity. They believe that by sharing the content, you are vouching for its content. But what many find with Triberr is that there isn’t a quality control process. So, you’re getting a wide range of material.
That being said, I really don’t care.
It’s quite simple to me: I couldn’t allow automatic sharing for myself. Not because of quality control, but because I would like for what I share to be an extension of my thoughts (and that doesn’t necessarily mean I agree with the viewpoint represented, either; only that there is a similar thought rolling around in my head somewhere). And not every post by an author would be shared.
Ideally, that’s how I would like to keep it. Will it stay that way? No idea. I haven’t been around the block long enough.
Thanks Shad – great points
how do you feel about creating content and scheduling it? You can’t be on the computer 24/7….or can you?
If I’ve said this same exact thing once, I’ve said it a thousand times. I tend to assume that the people that are the most passionate about social purity are the ones that have a difficult time in the “real world” and are hoping that the social media space can be one big happy family where everyone is truthful, authentic, and transparent. Yawn. Wishing impossible things, says I.
Then there are those that have 18 hours a day to spend online (and books they’ve written on social media based on their spending 18 hours a day online) and forget that other people have a life, family, jobs, and businesses to run and that social media isn’t the most friggin’ important thing in the world. Duh.
Social Media: The Right Way? Seriously…
Nice job.
Thanks for your response and support. I couldn’t agree more with your assessment
I’ll throw my opinion in the ring. First, great post. Well written and honest.
For me, I’m a very busy entrepreneur and live on side 1. I feel it takes a lot of content to get people to notice you. I try my hardest to share content that I trust and is relevant. I don’t know many business people that are able to spend all their time on social media platforms. If they did, would they be successful business people?
As send in earlier comments, it’s a tool. Heaven forbid a landscaper use a shovel to dig a hole. I mean, shouldn’t the landscaper use his hands?
Thanks for the great post!
Galen
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Hi Daniel,
I think the characterizations on the “social purity” side of things are a bit skewed in your synopsis
I will say this. I work a very long work day. I have built the expectation in people that I won’t be sharing as much or as active during that time.
I think the “automation” people, if they have an illusory flaw like the one Dan Perez mentions up there for the other side of the issue, is that they feel like people need to see them using these platforms 24/7. The astounding lesson on most social media platforms is that while people enjoy talking to you while you’re there, if you’re not there they don’t run around like a chicken with its head cut off. “Why isn’t he sharing posts? OMG, it’s been 2 hours and nothing. How can I live???”
So, there may be silliness on both sides.
I think a little automation is okay – what really bothers me about Triberr (if that’s what we’re talking about) is that some people think that automating the tweeting out of blog posts is useful. That’s being an RSS feed. I still strongly believe that if you are going to promote a post, you should read it and really believe it’s worth tweeting.
Does that make sense?
Excellent post!
Hi Margie-
Thanks so much for jumping in and sharing.
I have to be totally honest, some of the Triberr discussion spurred this post, but the real debate is in the people that try and say there is a single correct way to do social media.
I’m sorry, but I can’t really think of a single thing in life that there is only 1 way to do. Social Media is not an exception.
The key point is that whatever we choose we have to live with the consequences. Meaning if you want to have 10’s of thousands of followers, there is no way to engage them all one on one. If you want to share via automated mediums you may lose a few purist supporters because they want their stream to be only full of “Real” content.
No right way Margie, just your way
Thanks again.
I’m more of a “your mileage may vary” type of person when it comes to social media. I think people are on there for a host of very different personal (and emotional) reasons not having much to do with business and consequently I don’t look at this issue as Side 1 or Side 2.
That said, my issue with auto tweeting isn’t the purity aspect of it so much as what if I don’t believe my work is always good enough to be auto tweeted? If an auto tweet is how someone first “meets” me and it’s not one of my best, then, as they say, you don’t get a second chance at a first impression.
Different strokes for different folks – it makes the world go around and makes it interesting. My biggest disappointment is when the discourse goes from an exchange of ideas in the spirit of learning to personal attacks lobbed at both sides. What a downer!
Totally agree – I discuss that in my latest blog. However, If you approve each post and they go out automatically you have resolved both issues and stayed involved even when the real world may not allow for time to be spent on Social Media.
Always appreciate you Parissa
Dan