Open Thread: What Do We Mean by “Self-Promotion” on Twitter?
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Short and sweet, that’s the question. I find it fascinating from the angles of psychology and sociology. Lots of talk about “self-promotion” on Twitter around the blog-hood these days. I frankly don’t know what it means. I say as much in this reply to comments on my last post:
I also wonder about all the “self-promotion” talk going on. If by that we mean announcing a new post we just wrote, it seems most people do it (me included), and I actually like it. It gives me a chance to discover more about the personalities in my Twitbin. I actually use Twitter far more than my RSS reader these days to read new posts. (I also like the writerly aspect of it: Tweeting a New Post announcement requires the ability to write a terse blurb that entices me to click the link.)
Is that what people mean by “self-promotion”? Posting links to new posts? I see it as inviting conversation on the blog, I guess.
If that’s not what people mean by self-promotion,what do they mean?
Can we get specific in the comments? What exact actions constitute “self-promotion” to you? I feel like a Beverly Hillbilly clueless about manners at Mr. Drysdale’s mansion.
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I don’t know if it is self-promotion or providing information and opportunities.
It reaches the intended audience (other people who have the same interests) quicker, if twitted than using RSS. Some of the blogs/links aren’t interesting, but some are ones that I would not have found or session I would not have attended if not for twitter. So is telling your followers and the world that you have posted or starting a “whatever” self-promotion? You betcha. Is it a bad thing - not as long as it is done with respect for those on twitter.
Besides you can ignore the self-promote, just as easily as you can some of the more ignorant (they know not what they do) twits. I know the self-promotes are often much more interesting.
So in my bumbled opinion, keep the self-promotion lines of communication open, not just to your blogs, but the edu-meetings, seminars, talks, open forums etc.
Besides what is the good of writing if you are the only one reading it. I think that is one of the great things that twitter allows us to give others more of a chance to read what we write.
Perhaps something as simple (or complex) as twitter is becoming a Greater Flattener than RSS feeds or many of our other Web2.0 tools? Think about it…I have. Harold
[Reply]
Harold Shaw
24 Apr 08 at 11:37 am
Not that I am trying to beef up page views, but twittering about a new blog post does drive new traffic to your website. In the vast blogosphere it can be difficult to choose whom to include in your blogroll. I will often subscribe to a new blogger if I see their tweet or if someone mentions it @yourname. I also RSS my twitter feed and briefly scan it when I’ve been away for a long time.
How did I use twitter today? I discovered a new blog, I posted an additional comment on someone elses blog (besides this one), I asked a question and receive 5 responses and I decided to follow someone new. It was a good twitter day.
Promote yourself away, Clay. It brought me here!
[Reply]
Colette Cassinelli
24 Apr 08 at 12:02 pm
Harold,
I agree. RSS doesn’t pass the elegance and simplicity test to go mainstream. It was a beautiful prototype but will, I predict, become a dinosaur quickly.
Twitter and Alltop.com are easier ways to evangelize no-pain blog-reading. Diigo, delicious, etc are 2nd tier, more geeky type things that will probably never catch on for Tom, Dick, and Harry, though we know what they’re missing.
[Reply]
Clay Burell
24 Apr 08 at 12:02 pm
Clay, you said in Twitter:
now that’s ironic. my tweet about my open thread blog post generated a twitter thread instead. the death of blog comments, anyone?
If you wanted blog comments instead of tweets, maybe you shouldn’t have tweeted yourself? As Ben Franklin used to say, ‘Live by Twitter, die by Twitter…’ =)
Scott McLeods last blog post..The importance of educator perceptions
[Reply]
Scott McLeod
24 Apr 08 at 12:14 pm
Scott, I’m warning you: I’m going to sic @dswaters on you to give you a fine straightening out, Oz style, about how twitter is not the place for commenting on blogs. You don’t want that to happen. Sue is wicked dangerous, and will make you irrelevant in a heartbeat
“Seriously,” though, I’m noticing the splintering of conversations getting exponential since Twitter and Diigo crashed the blog party. Now people are highlighting and annotating blog posts with Diigo stickynotes instead of leaving comments in the threads.
Bad? Good? Who knows? But I keep thinking of the old party game, Twister, and of Pretzels 2.0.
Crazy times!
@Colette: I suspect “self-promotion” (negatively ascribed) falls into the category, weirdly, of psychology and moral relativism. Like drinkers to tee-totallers, “self-promoters” may rub people who believe in traditional humility and self-abnegation the wrong way.
But I’m still not sure I know what those who disapprove mean by it, concretely. I shouldn’t have framed the concept in terms of “New Post” tweets, since that might not be what people who don’t like this mysterious thing really have in mind.
[Reply]
Clay Burell
24 Apr 08 at 12:37 pm
Clay, my online friend, I hope we get to meet in person some time. I’m guessing that’s going to be an absolute blast. ‘Til then, virtually yours…
Scott McLeods last blog post..The importance of educator perceptions
[Reply]
Scott McLeod
24 Apr 08 at 12:45 pm
I never understand how people can imagine that there are any rules to all this stuff.
I especially despise the “polite” scoldings that don’t say exactly what or who is being scolded. We are all left to imagine who is being naughty while the scolder sits in judgement of everyone who isn’t folowing their imaginary rules.
Do whatever you like on Twitter - it’s my choice to follow, read, click, or respond.
sylvia martinezs last blog post..Jon’s mom weighs in with some parental wisdom for the ages
[Reply]
sylvia martinez
24 Apr 08 at 3:37 pm
[...] “self-promoter” (i.e., guy who likes to share his thoughts and seek yours in reply) inevitably tops the [...]
Tweetclouds as Windows of the Soul | Beyond School
24 Apr 08 at 7:25 pm
Good morning, Clay,
I think I was one of the first to raise the “Self Promotion” question in the “uses and abuses” post comments, and I will clarify my definition.
As someone who is newer to Twitter, I am delighted when I see a “just posted” tweet from someone whose work I read. What I am reacting to is the frequent tweeter whose 140 characters fill my feed with a blizzard of updates and often refer to “my book” or “you must see this” “best feature ever” - Essentially, “look how amazingly contemporary I am; I am the source.” To me, a self promoter is someone who does NOT want to hear your ideas, but only wants you to hear his or hers.
I am happy to hear about hockey games, dinner plans, vacations, and American Idol in the landscape of Prometian boards, grammar, postings, and great urls.
Thanks for asking for clarification.
[Reply]
Kate
24 Apr 08 at 8:48 pm
I think the “self promotion” accusation is simply another way of saying, “this guy is an asshole.” I tend to tweet in spurts, and sometimes (like last night) I worry that I over tweet. When you’re doing that, your personality is bound to come out, and if you’re a selfish jerk it’s going to show.
I wasn’t (I don’t think) “promoting” myself…. but I was talking about my experiences. Every word, communication, tweet, email, blog post, wink, kiss, or gesture (obscene or otherwise) is situated. I don’t know much but what I know. Sharing what I know enables me to discuss my experiences and learn.
I’m not a fan of rules. I’m not much even a fan of guidelines because usually they become rules by default, apathy, socialization, or whatever.
I have never actually thought of anyone as a “self-promoter,” but sometimes I’ve thought people were boring, or assholes, or just talking about things I don’t understand or care about. In those cases, I simply unfollow.
About the posting comments to twitter v. blog thing, there have been times I’ve wished the conversation wasn’t splintered. There has to be a technological solution to that. Why can’t we have trackbacks (or similar) inside twitter so that when someone is responding on twitter to a blog post, it shows up in both places?
PS — Clay, I have been so insanely busy and overwhelmed that I COMPLETELY missed the Lolita discussion. I was so mad b/c I taught “Slaughterhouse Five” and “A Clockwork Orange” to regular-level (!!!!! horrible words!!!) students last year. They were the best experiences in my time teaching English. Many students now have one of those books listed in their facebook profiles as their faves. I also taught The Shining in summer school (which I will defend to the ground.)
I haven’t read Lolita, but have always wanted to, and I am now even more intrigued. Your blog always gets me thinking.
PS again — the new look is great. I myself am completely sick of cutline, but don’t want to change until I can afford to have a custom design made.
Thanks for keeping us thinking! That’s what great teachers do.
[Reply]
Taylor
24 Apr 08 at 10:35 pm
Sylvia’s on to a good point: I got frustrated as a kid when the everyone was punished for someone’s infractions. I get frustrated as an adult when vague reminders/notices are sent out by my boss to do something I was already doing, because if someone isn’t, go tell them. I get frustrated at blog posts about self-promoters on twitter or whatever for the same reason.
I just don’t get twitter drama. Unfollow someone you don’t want to read anymore and move on. Where’s the fuss?
Of course, the same is true on livejournal and I know people that have elaborate friending/unfriending rules over there. Never understood it then either.
[Reply]
Penelope
25 Apr 08 at 3:00 am
Hi Kate - Well at least I was less idiotic than usual by noting I may have misunderstood
I agree with you about the megalomaniacs. I consider them almost more as spammers (or wannabee cult leaders). Thanks for clarifying.
For the record, though, that term has popped up in a lot of posts this week, so different people probably mean different things by it.
@Scott I hope so too. You’re a hoot, and it don’t hurt that you’re a smart one. Love your blog. Want to learn how you make you smooth graphics so I can continue to improve by stealing from you.
@Taylor: You crack me up. I couldn’t have said it any better and more saltily myself. And yes, I can’t wait for a good conversation aggregator. Surely a matter of time?
Throw that Lolita comment on the Lolita thread, you. People will miss it here. It’s a post that won’t die. Lots of medicine for hypocrites and prudes there.
[Reply]
Clay Burell
25 Apr 08 at 5:48 am
Clay,
We spend inordinate amounts of time in our elementary school promoting self-esteem; perhaps we should also include self-promotion in our character curriculum.
Recognizing and taking ownership of positive actions is a GOOD thing. Gracefully accepting a complement is almost a lost art. And sharing news, plans, and accomplishments with friends makes life interesting.
If I want a monologue, I’ll speak to my mirror. Conversation is what I’m after. And a shared insight, a (friendly) verbal sparring match, or a sincere “Well done” adds immeasurably to value of my efforts.
“A humble person is totally different from a person who cannot recognize and appreciate himself as part of this worlds marvels” -Rabino Nilton Bonder
diane
dianes last blog post..I’m Nobody! Who are You?
[Reply]
diane
25 Apr 08 at 7:27 am
Choice is an amazing thing to have. It is quite simple to stop reading a blog or twitter that you are not enjoying, eh?
[Reply]
Terry Smith
26 Apr 08 at 12:06 am
I have to say, Diane, that there’s something in what you say about teaching self promotion. In my annual review for my job, that is exactly what I have to do. If I do not promote myself, no one else will, and then I won’t get promotion (and that much needed pay rise). For research funding (PBRF) for our universities in NZ (and probably a lot of the world), again, that is exactly what we have to do - promote ourselves. I think self-promotion is being driven by academia in order to achieve promotion, tenure and funding. The more people commenting on your papers and citing you etc etc, the more money you get. The interesting issue about performance based funding is that it probably wont recognise
blogging or a lot of online activities as a credible academic activity.
Sarah Stewarts last blog post..Story telling in Second Life
[Reply]
Sarah Stewart
28 Apr 08 at 8:21 am