Social Media Is About Me

2010 June 16

by Tyler

Spend a while on the various social media networks that exist and it becomes quite obvious who is in social media to build up themselves. They only talk about their blog posts or they never talk with the people who are trying to talk with them or they are constantly asking for prayer without ever acknowledging the people who are praying for them or they’re only pushing their latest book.

In the 2 week intensive course I’m taking over the next 2 weeks we’ve been talking about how the way leaders lead conveys their theology, even when they don’t intend for it to do so.

I think the same principle applies for how we engage with social media. How we use social media conveys things about us whether we intend for them to do so or not. Call it judgmental but perception matters. It actually matters a lot.

I wonder how many of us would act completely different on these networks if no one was watching. Would we really always try to be funny? Would we always share our deep secrets? The answer might be yes for you, but I do think we often act a certain way on social networks because we know people are watching.

Social media has the power to do a lot of wonderful things, but it also has the ability to tell others that you think social media is all about you.

I know I’ve been guilty of selfish motives on social networks before, have you?

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http://www.elevatecompany.net Jake Johnson

Good points, Tyler. I find that it’s very hard to balance the line between self-promotion and genuine interaction—especially since I’m a freelancer and much of my work comes from contacts through social media and is reliant upon keeping my page rankings up.

Do you think that the self-promotion is wrong if the person feels they have something valuable to offer his or her community through those posts? If not, what’s a better way of self-advertising but still being an authentic communicator and friend online?
http://www.manofdepravity.com Tyler

All great questions Jake and ones that I wrestle with a lot. For me, if the end goal is self promotion and a majority of a person’s interaction on social networks is about their stuff, that is a problem. But there is definitely a place for some self promotion of blog posts or opinions in social media I think.
http://www.pberryweb.com Paul Berry

Thanks for talking about this Tyler. I’ve tried to be really intentional about this, though I’m sure I’ve been selfish about it.

I think the key to the whole thing is being social in your social media. If you are more concerned with how social media can gain you new followers or how you can track those followers (individuals using bit.ly, I’m looking at you.) instead of how you can interact with whatever followers you have, then you are misusing social media.

There’s an author that I follow. I really like his books a lot. I used to really like his twitter because it was rarely about his work and more about what he was up to. Now 90% of his tweets are “Blogging about this” tweets.

I guess I think social media should cost you something. All good relationships do.

That said, my next tweet will read: Justin Bieber using iPhone4 at World Cup. Lady Gaga on the vuvuzela at HT! Conan cracks me up. God bless. http://bit.ly/blahblahblah

(p.s.: Anyone with a bit.ly link on your twitter linking to your facebook status…child please.)
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler

For me balance is the key. I think social media is the fastest way to pass information but the end goal must be relationship and connection otherwise it comes across as selfish. And yes, I use bit.ly
http://www.benlemery.com Ben

To be honest, I almost feel like people don’t read my blog because I am just being me. I tried to create a product type blog where I wrote a certain way that would fit the culture more but it ended up frustrating me in the end.

As I tell people when they meet me, “this is me, take it or leave it.” I am a flawed, outspoken, thinks he is funny but others don’t guy who simply wants to be better and hopes that other people can be better through interactions with me.

If I only have a few people reading that, then I guess that is the way it goes eh?
http://www.pberryweb.com Paul Berry

Ben: great point. Love it. That’s all.
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler

We’ve talked a lot about blogging and hits and such. I think in the end that the only true way to get a huge blog following is to give all your free time to it or make it your job. And even then you still need to resonate with a big group of readers. Sure people put out specific ways to get readers, but even that is putting people in a box. I just don’t think it is that simple. Speak to the people who are devoted to reading what you have to say now and be content with that.
http://www.benlemery.com Ben

Or just be Tyler Braun, I mean everyone is following you. =P
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler

LOL. Trust me, if you saw my blog stats you would not be impressed.
http://topsy.com/manofdepravity.com/2010/06/16/social-media-is-about-me/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2 Tweets that mention Man of Depravity: Social Media Is About Me — Topsy.com

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jake Johnson, Bethany Stolle. Bethany Stolle said: RT @tylerbraun: New blog post: "Social Media is All About Me" http://bit.ly/98HxbK // Agree–our posts reflect our theology/worldview. [...]
http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com Kyle Reed

I know I have. At times I have to check my agenda. Not necessarily because I want to talk about myself, but more that I want people to talk with me. You know, get interaction and responses about post and tweets.
http://www.jimgrayonline.com Jim Gray

actually tyler…social media is about me…wait…no…for me it’s about relationships…and having cool friends like you!
Yonas

I join social media to provide comic relief for those who are interested…I help brightening some people’s day.
http://www.jayfriesen.com JR

I think both of you are right on. I think there IS a healthy place or self-promotion but also a place for interaction. It really is about being social and sharing. Sharing is a two-way concept not one way. Give and and take.

Like most things in life, balance is the key. I’ve recently found myself dropping people from blog subscriptions and Twitter feeds that are all about themselves with no interaction. I rarely follow someone on Twitter if they don’t interact.

So uh, Tyler, I know you’re not my audience, but if I get all about myself, let me know