Sphinn - Be nice to the little guys

50
Sphinn It!

Went Hot: November 21, 2007 - 9:13 am
Posted By: nowsourcing 326 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://wingnutseo.com)
Category: Water Cooler

This was interesting. Found this blogger's aim address in his sphinn profile and messaged him saying thanks for sphinning a story I had submitted. Before I knew it, a whole post was born.

16 Comments

Who Desphunn This (0)

Comments

from planetc1 326 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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You really can't go wrong by saying thank you, writing articles of praise, providing on-topic links, and just generally putting forth a positive attitude.

The community here at Sphinn has really been impressive in that respect, and that's not from just the "little" guys.

from Lyndon 326 days ago #

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er, did I miss something here. Some guy said hi to another guy who gets the warm fuzzies and it makes the front page of Sphinn? I read the post and it really doesn't contain much of worth.

Come on guys, stop voting for thin, basically worthless posts. If it were a soup it would be hot water with half a pureed pea.

And I am not slagging the post, you post what the hell you like on your blog, but to see it go hot on Sphinn, frigging hell. Get a grip.

from BrendanPicha 326 days ago #

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It was a smart networking tactic and I think this is what people are voting for. You're right though Lyndon the post didn't contain much but it I have to say that this was a clever move on Brian's part.

from Gamermk 326 days ago #

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Have to agree with Lyndon, this really felt like something better recognized on newsourcing's homepage rather than hitting the frontpage of Sphinn. That being said... the people have spoken, it's the community's call as to what matters.

from nowsourcing 326 days ago #

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@Planetc1: yes, community building helps us all.

@Lyndon: granted the post wasn't revolutionary. It's still a good concept to connect with folks in the community. By no means did I expect to see it go so hot so fast, but that's how it played out. I've seen others write "remember to say thank you to SU voters" posts, so this is sort of in the same park.

@Brendan: really was just saying thank you to a new user. I didn't expect a blog post about it, so I thought that was novel to post.

from nowsourcing 326 days ago #

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@Gamermk: I'll have to let newsourcing know - I'm nowsourcing :)
And yes, I could write up something more substantial on this topic and will likely in the future about communication strategies.

from Lyndon 326 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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You see that's the problem, you describe it as a tactic, as if networking is simply a tool to get ahead. I see networking as a strategy, rather than a tactic. Meaning I am looking at the long term rather than a short term boost. I may have Sphunn a blog post as this about myself, we all love to be talked about, but I wouldn't want it hitting the front page as the message here is, "be nice to people." Well duh! It's something I take for granted.

from bwelford 326 days ago #

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That's the power of a great title. There are so many 'little guys' that's it bound to strike a resonant chord. It's the power of democracy.

from dannysullivan 326 days ago #

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Yeah, I would think it's more a vote for the title and the concept rather than the actual article. It can pay to be nice to people and not think you're so "big" or "successful" that you can't reach out, help, etc. So maybe people sphunn the concept.

from BrendanPicha 326 days ago #

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@ Lyndon: Not only is there nothing in the definitions of the words 'strategy' and 'tactic' that differentiate between short term and long term goals but the definition of the word strategy includes an example of the word in use, contextually describing it as "getting ahead in the world". If you see networking as a strategy then you must also see it as a tool to get ahead no?

Def: Strategy - a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result: a strategy for getting ahead in the world.

Def: Tactic - a plan, procedure, or expedient for promoting a desired end or result.

So I'm not sure what you're saying here. Networking IS a tool to get ahead. However in doing so, genuine relationships can be built and I think this is what you're leaning towards.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you're saying that some networking efforts are a means to a self-promoting end and you think this is type of networking is not genuine. In other words, some people are not looking to make genuine friends, they're just using these connections to leverage their own social efforts and an interaction like this is not worth the front page of Sphinn.

If this is what you are saying then I agree but the problem here is that 99.9% of people involved in SEM are all about self-promotion. So if Sphinn is full of SEM'ers then I can see why they would approve of a tactic like the one Brian used. Most people simply thought it was a clever idea and they may want to remember to do something similar in the future.

So in summary I agree that a post like that is not worth the front page of Sphinn but a networking strategy/tactic of this nature is something that we can all relate to.

from nowsourcing 326 days ago #

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@lyndon: yeah, tactic is a pretty strong phrase for this. Strategy is for sure better in the long term. And being nice to people should be part of everyone's strategy.

I've found that a good deal of strategy is a lot of "duh! Its' something I take for granted." A list of subtle, yet effective points can change the way people look at things.

@bwelford: well put. Democracy and flocking behavior.

@danny: yes, this seemed to be a good water cooler topic of conversation. I think that there is a certain stigma that newer folks have - this whole rockstar social media mentality. The majority of the folks I've chatted with or met in person (including yourself) are very down to earth and generous in their time when they can be.

from Wingnut 326 days ago #

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Wow, I'm pretty surprised at the amount of comments on this. Even I didn't think it was front page worthy... but I do think "being nice" is a solid lesson and something a lot of big and small time social networking people tend to forget as they become more comfortable.

@Lyndon you're right, not a lot of content. I really was pointing out, as a reminder to myself mostly, how effective the use of instant messenger can be even if you don't have prior contact with the person you are talking with. I tend to use comments on blogs more often - while forgetting that people are posting their contact info to AIM for people to find and say hi to them.

from 5ubliminal 324 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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Omg... I'm seeing groupies on Sphinn. We have star-struck: wingnut showing his b00bs to his idol: nowsourcing who paid a bit of attention to him and we are all watching. We're voyeurs!

Nowsourcing ... please don't blink at him! He might faint and it'll be bad karma for you.

Where's the bury button?

from BrendanPicha 324 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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LOL!

from SpostareDuro 319 days ago #

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Thanks NOWsourcing. I think that not only is this article Sphinnworthy, but the comments and Sphinns that it has received has been proof that it is a category that all of us have an emotion for in one way or another and everyone that read all of this has learned more about the communities interests and mindset...speaking for myself.

from nowsourcing 319 days ago #

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@SpostareDuro: I call 'em like I see 'em. Seemed interesting and the people have spoken.

But gosh - who's downvoting all the comments? This isn't Reddit, go get your Karma fix somewhere else (sorry, long night).