Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Tell The Truth Tuesday: Social Media Edition

1. Keeping a blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads account is pretty much more than I can handle. They can be huge time sucks. But I also can't live without them (at least that's what I tell myself)!

2. I have some new followers (hello out there and thank you!) but Google only allows me to follow 300 blogs (at least that's what the error message says). So unless I take the time to clean out my Google reader and unfollow blogs that no longer exist etc., I cannot follow back. *sniff* Cleaning out that Google reader? A huge time suck (unless there's a secret I'm unaware of)! But I will do it, darn-it, I will!

3. I may tweet more than post status updates on FB, but I sometimes feel more comfortable on Facebook than on Twitter. Probably because my friends and family are on FB, and they *get me* (and make me feel like I matter).

However, if I (or anyone else) ever has any kind of news to share (good or bad), the writing community comes together on Twitter in an amazing and supportive way.


4. Sometimes social media can feel like high school. And it may be my own perception. When a group of people are tweeting back and forth like mad, or making a vlog together, or joining forces to connect blog topics, I feel slightly awkward and uncool. Like I'm standing in line outside a swanky NY club, and the bouncer just let Lindsay Lohan and all of her friends in ahead of me.

On the other hand, I get involved in some group situations too, so who's to say others aren't feeling that way about ME?

5. I feel wierd when I ask someone a direct question or give a heartfelt compliment on Twitter and it's ignored time and again (yeah I know, why try, right?).

(psst...I'm not referring to those who feel social media challenged and can't find their tweets-- used to happen to me. Or people who are never on Twitter and therefore never saw my tweet to begin with. I'm referring to those who seem too self-important. They are out there-and maybe they're just misunderstood-who knows)

I think responding back or saying thank you are social cues everyone should practice. Especially if you want me to keep following you. Because even if your words are funny or gorgeously written, I'll no longer be a cheerleader for you. I may buy your book or read your great blog post eventually, but I'll feel strange about you. Just sayin'.

Nice goes a loooooooong way in my book!

Remember these are MY truths. Yours may be different.


Do YOU have any truths to share?



33 comments:

S.A. Larsenッ said...

I didn't know that about Google and the 300 thing. I'm sure I'm close. Grr...and clearing out blogs that are no longer active takes time. But then again, doesn't everything, lately? lol

Truth: it's snowing here...AGAIN!! and I really didn't care who won the Super Bowl this year.

Devin Bond said...

Definitely with you on truth numbers 4 and 5. Don't have a google reader, so can't comment about that.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Google reader has a max? Uh-oh. Looks like I'll need to do some cleaning soon. *sigh*

Kelly Polark said...

Agreed with you on 3, 4, 5. I use facebook primarily for the family, sharing pics and stuff. And Twitter is fun, but I don't feel as comfy there. I'm such a newbie, and yes, sometimes feel like an outsider. You do seem comfortable on there though!!!

storyqueen said...

That is why I don't have a FB or Twitter acct. I know with working a full-time job that allows me little internet access, I would be the twitter-twit that inadvertently ticks people off by not responding to stuff I should have. Plus, I remember all too well the "left out of it all" feeling. Why would I want to do that to myself in the LITTLE time I have not at work?

(Sorry...my rant is directed at myself...explaining to my own brain once again why adding these elements to my life would not be a good idea....)

Very thought-provoking, obviously!

Shelley

Melissa Gill said...

Great post Christina- This whole social media thing is something else isn't it!

As for me, Facebook maked me feel OLD, I can't deal.

Twitter scares the heck out of me, because of what you just said. I'm terrified that someone will say something to me, and I won't see it, and then they'll think I'm a snob. I'm not at all. I'm just social media challenged.

Goodreads is just over my head. I haven't taken the time to figure it out.

The only thing I'm really comfortable with is blogging, and it's taken me a long time to get here.

Maddy said...

This is perfect! I am going to blog about social networking this week. You gave me a lot of food for thought. I'm the opposite. I find that I can be more of myself on Twitter. I find that one FB I'm a wife, daughter, sister, co worker...but on Twitter I can just be me! As for juggling it all...well, I think we all have issues with that one. I know I do. I try not to stress it though. If one day, I don't get as many comments because I didn't have time to make my "rounds" so be it. I find that the people that really care about what I have to stay come by no matter if I return the visit or not and vice versa.

Unknown said...

These are great truths. I love blogging and facebook and I don't tweet yet but I have to make sure I keep setting writing goals and meeting those goals.
There is a cute poem in this month's SCBWI bulletin about just that thing.

Roni Loren said...

I'm the opposite with the FB/Twitter thing. I feel way more comfortable on Twitter and am not so into my facebook.

And I agree about the non-response. I'm pretty forgiving if someone is really popular or whatever. But if I comment to someone a few times and they never acknowledge it, I do get a little less enthused about that author. On the flipside, when a favorite author does respond, I'm a fan for life, lol.

Little Ms J said...

I have to admit that I can keep up with Facebook for the most part, but WAY too much Tweeting happens while I'm at work and by the time I get home I feel like the teenager on the outskirts of the cool circle. Granted, I could check my phone, but when I've done that I am less productive in the office.

lisa and laura said...

I couldn't agree more. I pretty much have no idea what I'm doing on Twitter. I get Facebook, but am spoiled because Lisa handles pretty much all the Twitter stuff. It's overwhelming and a HUGE time suck and I hate the idea of anyone feeling left out. But I guess since Twitter is basically a private conversation made public, that's inevitable? The whole thing is kind of weird when you think about it...

Christina Lee said...

LOTS and LOTS of good, thought-provoking stuff being said here!

Misha Gerrick said...

pssst! If click view on google reader, you can add more subscriptions there.
shhhhhhht!

;-)

Christina Lee said...

Misha--really??? YES--THX!

Matthew MacNish said...

I still don't get twitter. There. I said it.

Lourie said...

I am on Twitter and I totally don't get it. Therefore, I rarely use it. But yeah manners count every where.

Unknown said...

I agree with every last one of those points. Thank you can go such a long way! And grateful people are just so easy to care about.

Melissa said...

I didn't know Google reader had a max??? OH NO! I'm scared to get there!

I don't have a twitter. Sometimes I think I should get one (because I totally feel like I'm missing out) but then I think about how hard it is to get to all the blogs frequently, and to just keep up with what I have on my plate already (Stupid University obligations/responsibilities)

Sherrie Petersen said...

I'm a drive-by Tweeter. Some days I love it, but I can go for weeks without opening it. So if I'm one of those that hasn't responded, sorry!! I don't always make time to check on it. I quit Facebook last year and I haven't missed it yet. Blogging, I could never do without :)

Christina Lee said...

Oh Sherrie- not you at all! Usually it’s someone I tried "chatting" with several times but they never respond to me ever-almost like they are too self-important. And that's just the way it goes-oh well! *sigh*

Unknown said...

Insightful! So true. Time suckers suck but they're also a ton of fun!

I wish I had more time to take care of this blog...not having that time blows.

Stephanie Faris said...

I usually am checking Facebook or Twitter on my cell phone, while waiting at doctors offices or waiting in line at the post office, etc. So then it's not such a time sucker.

K. M. Walton said...

Majorly addicted to Twitter. I'm to the point that I can't have it open or I get lost in it - especially when I have writing to do.

Meredith said...

The idea of twitter makes me tired. A blog is all I can keep up with, so you definitely should be proud of all your social media prowess!

Tina L. Hook said...

Hey, I do a similar segment.

I think we all get a little overcooked. The fact that you have 4 outlets that you manage is good in my book. I would rather do a few things well than many things badly.

Carol Riggs said...

Whew, blogging is enough for me; I can't do the Twittering and Facebooky stuff on top of it, or I'd never have time to write. Or live.

Gah!--I didn't know Google had a limit. I have about 150, so I'm not there yet, but still...bummer.

Laura S. said...

I didn't know you were on Twitter! I remedied that though. :)

That's weird about the 300 blogs thing. I know some people who follow thousands of blogs (seriously). There must be some sort of secret. Hmmm...

The Happy Whisk said...

Is it possible that just Google Reader has the limit of 300? Have you tried following blogs the regular way?

The Happy Whisk said...

Hey, I'm back. Just checked with someone's blog and they are signed up to 309 blogs, the regular way. So Happy Blogging. Hope it works for you too.

Christina Lee said...

Happy Whisk--thx I think I figured it out now!

The Happy Whisk said...

That's great. I didn't know Reader had a limit so it's good to know about that. I used Reader once or twice but I haven't gone back. Still using the dashboard. Anyway, have a great day and I hope you get to eat something yummy.

Plamena Schmidt said...

Wow, those are my truths too. I swear, I almost felt like I had written that blog when I read it. (Except I was like: Hey, I don't remember reading this.)

Although I haven't heard of the 300 followers limit (but I'm nowhere close). I know people who follow 500.

Joy@TPMG said...

I feel the same way about social media especially Twitter. I keep telling myself I will clean out my google reader but when I have tried to delete people in the past they kept showing up and it did indeed become a time suck.