2 January 2009 3 Comments

There is a lot of talk this past week on Twitter about what is right and wrong in social networking. More specifically the social networking done on Twitter.

It would seem that some people have a problem with some of the ways that people tweet, or use twitter in their business. I wouldn’t be posting about it if it wasn’t on the minds of several different people today. It seems everyone has an opinion of how twittering should be done. Just this morning I was following three different conversations between some of my tweeps (and actually one who isn’t but decided to include me in their little expose on “people who use Twitter differently than they do” party.) and some of these conversations were quite interesting.

As with all things, people have opinions. Does it make what you think right or wrong? Well, I do have to say that in some things there are absolutes. There are things that are just right and wrong. But, when it comes to how you converse with people, especially within the confines of your own little network… there are different strokes for different folks.

Social Networking Is About People Not Rules.

When I started this website about social media marketing it was really to do a few things. First,Second, I wanted to expand my network and increase my exposure to people interested in social marketing.

The one thing I did not set out to do is set concrete rules for how you are suppose to do social marketing. Why? Because people are in different areas geographically, socially, financially, and even emotionally to do everything the same way.

So, in social media marketing, as well as any type of marketing there are guidelines to success as opposed to rules to live by. I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes when I’m writing a post about something I say things like, “you must”, or “for success in this you better do that.” However, it’s not meant to be “do or die” type of stuff, more like “do or don’t, either way your results are going to be different. Either more or less.”

Social networking isn’t really about rules. It’s about people; the people you interact with and the people you will be interacting with. Some of the “rules” just won’t apply in some circles.

The Auto Follow Controversy

I really can’t believe this is a controversy. I can’t believe that people are actually upset about this. A few people I look up to, if not highly regard what they say, have a pretty good attitude about this. They have a “ehhh” attitude about the whole thing. I carry the same tune. I could really care less. I’m not really for it or against it, but see it as a good tool if used within a set of guidelines.

So someone auto dm’s (an automatic direct message) me on twitter once I follow them. Big deal. If they have a link in their dm to their website, so what… doesn’t mean I have to visit it. In most cases I don’t. Nothing hurt.

If you don’t like it, then unfollow the person and be done with it. I actually saw a conversation about someone who not only unfollowed, but actually got upset and, in not an appropriate or kind fashion, told the person they were unfollowing because of the auto dm. Which is worse? The auto dm or the inappropriate behavior? Some people really need to grow up.

Acting as Social Media Police

On the one hand, I don’t like confrontations. I really don’t relish the idea of getting into some stupid argument over who is right or wrong over some stupid topic. Social media rules are one of them. So, for the most part I stay out of the fray and let the social media police take care of it.

However, on the other hand, some people who are on the one hand condemning the “social media gurus” are actually acting like the ones they condemn. That really doesn’t sit very well with me. Can’t we all just get along?

I saw a tweet this morning from a new mutual follower that pretty much sums it all up. @TerriZSoloCEO said this in a reply during a very interesting conversation about auto dm’s… “perfect…agreeing to disagree is exactly what I was trying to convey.” One was used auto dm’s, the other doesn’t. But, instead of getting into a stupid argument about it, they talked about it, openly, on twitter, so others could see and make up their own mind.

Guidelines are just that… guides.

I am not trying to stir up any controversy. I am not trying to rankle any feathers. I’m sort of getting things off my chest.

I believe blogs are a great way to journal your thoughts, include people in those thoughts, and start engaging conversations. I don’t believe they should be for “calling people out” or talking bad about others. There just isn’t place for that. Remember, social networking is about people… not about you.

Social networking had guidelines. And guidelines are just that. Guides. And guides for every different situation can tend to be in the eye of the beholder. If something works for me, but doesn’t for you, or you simply don’t like it, then that should be ok.

Let’s network together, learn from each other, and try to help each other instead of tearing people down. That’s social networking. But, that’s just a guideline.

Similar Posts:

• Is Your Social Networking Fun?
• Is Your Social Networking About Networking?
• How to engage in social media conversations.
• How to converse on Twitter.
• 8 Social Networking Lessons To Be Learned From Kids