I Am Not Your Digg Whore!
February 28, 2008 11:48 am Social Media
I apologize for the crass title, but it is exactly how I feel when I receive an IM with only a Digg or Reddit link in it. I am absolutely open to my friends alerting me to a new story they submitted. However, I am less likely to upmod a story if the person does not engage me on a personal level. After all, I am an old fashioned girl; I need to be taken out a few times first. As users become increasingly preoccupied with their submissions, they tend to forget about the core element of social media: being social!
Mass-pimping submissions without the necessary pleasantries can simply be annoying. Ironically, it appears as though social media users are the ones who need the most guidance in socializing online. A simple message with, “Hi . I would really appreciate your help on this submission. <Link>. Thanks,” would get a friendlier response than just pinging the link. And when you take the time to do so, the recipients will be more likely to look at the article you submitted, vote on it, and comment accordingly.
However, there shouldn’t be an expectation that friends will automatically vote up your story just because you asked them to. If fellow users don’t enjoy the submission, they have every right to decline voting on it or downmod it without fear of repercussions. It is this process of critical evaluation that helps these social sites grow. When online friends pass on these links to one another, the deliberative process that occurs is what helps bring solid, interesting and quality content to the fore.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Great title and very true…
One caveat though - sometimes its even more annoying to get:
Them: Hello
You: Hi
*pause*
Them: How are you doing?
You: Fine
*pause*
You: What????
*pause - you thinking this person is the biggest idiot in the world*
Them: Can you check this out: stupidstory.com link
You - close IM and block said person
February 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Now I understand your tweet
I am not on digg, but I guess it is about time I start an account. I didn’t realize that was why people were throwing out links in tweets!
February 28th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
It’s wierd when people do that. I’ve had to block several users off my IM clients becuase of this. Personally, I don’t use my IM client to share links because I don’t see it as being the purpose of it. If another user wants to share a link with me, no problem. But, if I feel that’s all they want to use it for, then I’ll just block them.
One other thing that bothers me is when users just “force” their way onto my IM. Yeh, I know I have it displayed on my profile, but introducing yourself first wouldn’t hurt. Their is always a way for two users to pass a note to each other (site mail, email, shouts, etc). Let me know first you want on. When I get requests and my first reaction is “who the hell is this,” I turn them down.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Totally agree. It’s turned into an ego thing were everyone is competing to be a “front pager”.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I definitely agree - people have fully lost sight on the backbone of communication tools…actually communicating!
Sending links doesn’t mean jack to you or I if the effort of being social from the other end is completely nonexistent.
February 29th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Nicely worded.
It would also be a good idea if people were to ask permission to send Digg requests before sending the first request.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Great great article, and very true within the community. It’s all about building relationships! Funny that this seems like common sense, but still doesn’t happen.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:54 am
That is absolutely true. Lot of people are after Google adsense wealth. They seldom have the time to observe IM etiquette. Well, we have to deal with it.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Nicely put Reem.
I actually treat people like that the same way. When I find some just sending links my way, I just do the same with them….
February 29th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I totally agree Reem. I want one of those shirts too.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Since first reading this article and watching it move through different communities I have seen a difference in interactions with my friends. Great work Reem
February 29th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Quite agree, I ditched a ‘friend’ after getting at least 2-3 shouts a day without as much as a Hi, some people are desperate to get those front page spots!
It’s becoming a common complaint.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Definitely agree. I don’t necessarily mind it if we have a friendly rapport but I do mind when people say ‘hey got your IM off digg can you digg this?’. Even if they just smoozed me a little to begin with and I knew their intentions it would still be ok. The worst of all though for me is getting an IM for a story I’ve already voted for whether they are a current friend or stranger.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Very thoughtful and insightful post, Reem. Is netiquette already becoming a lost art?
February 29th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Reem,
Damn good point! People for get about Social Media and just focus on Media. Wake up! And everyone needs to quit whoring out their own sites as submissions. If all you do is submit from your own site then guess what, NO DIGG, VOTE, UPMOD, NOTHING!
February 29th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I’m glad you included the point about actually voting for content. I do consider people who shamelessly promote their stories while and expecting an upmod little soulless.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Too right! So many people think that if they send a digg link to their friends it will get voted up - but I think a great way to remind them it’s my choice is to say right back “thanks for letting me know about your story on Digg, I could have missed it otherwise. I’ll check it out and see if it’s any good.”
February 29th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I’m in total agreement with you. I have many ‘friends’ who share their stories with me, but when someone just blasts a link at me without any kind of context and expecting a mindless vote, they’re more likely to get voted off my IM list then get anything positive.
I appreciate being made aware of cool articles, but expecting me to ‘vote’ blindly for anything is presumptuous and uncouth.
February 29th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Very good story and quite relevant. Seems this type of thing is becoming more prevalent and it is annoying. How difficult is it to engage someone instead of just plugging away with your links. You’re right that too many people are forgetting the purpose of social media and that’s being social while you share media. It’s a shame that people can’t think about what they’re doing and proper manners.
Oh, btw I love the title!
February 29th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Point very well said…I am with you…I have several friends that simply send attachments and nothing more. Assuming that with their name in the sender box will motivate me to open the link…now, seriously I don’t have time for “blankness”. I thrive on communication/socialization…if you give me nothing you shall receive nothing.
March 1st, 2008 at 1:27 am
Very well put. I agree totally with what you are saying.
March 1st, 2008 at 7:26 am
Nice piece Reem. Well said. I think in many cases, it might be an individual preference. Some people are very direct, and time is at a premium. Others like to be wined and dined a little first. Thats interesting, cause I’ve never really thought of it like that before. Great post!
March 1st, 2008 at 9:54 am
It’s all about speed in the social media. Almost no one cares about building long lasting relationships.
I think you can profit more of one “good” friend, than several “normal” friends.
And btw, I only read social media sites, because participating in them cost to much time!
March 1st, 2008 at 7:11 pm
none of my stories made it by im’s; 15 out of my 16 stories that made it, weren’t shouted or passed along by im; at least not by me.
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Am new to your blog. When I saw the title to this post I wanted to shout, “Right on!”
Great post.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 am
High Five on this one! Bravo.
March 8th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
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