Hummingbird604.com » social networking

Reflections on Twitter, “grow your network organically” and #nofollow

Raul — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:07:33 +0000

Credit: 7Son

I am frequently the subject of #followfriday and I am very honored and truly blessed by the people who choose me as someone worthy of being followed. I am limited by my capacity to absorb information from people and therefore, I don’t follow back everyone. I NEVER ask anybody to follow me back simply because I think that’s something that needs to grow with time. As I build relationships with people I always believe that there’ll be a point where we follow each other back.

There is a GAZILLION people I would LOVE to follow but I’m unable to, not because I don’t want to but because I simply don’t want to make the relationship non-existant. I know that TweetDeck would allow me to filter, but it’d be inappropriate of me to make people believe I am paying attention when I am not. Much rather have a lower number of people I follow than to be dismissive.

The same way I don’t like to do a #followfriday (simply because if I had it my way I’d recommend everyone both on my follower and following list) I don’t like the idea of the #wontfollow hashtag. I strongly believe that by saying “oh I won’t follow you because of … and ….” the beginning of the relationship is hostile.

I am really against popularity contests in the Twittersphere and I am also a firm believer of building real, authentic relationships on Twitter. I really strongly believe that we need to cut people on Twitter some slack. I am sure that the people who know me well and that follows me and I don’t follow back know that it’s not because I don’t want to but because I have a limited capacity for following people. At least, I would hope so! And I hope that people know that I can’t be forced into following someone back. At the same time, I don’t preclude anybody by saying “I won’t follow you”. Well, except Oprah, Ashton Kutcher and Perez Hilton

I also dislike the concept that businesses “must grow their network organically”. How the heck do people think that we are going to notice that a business is on Twitter unless the person behind the business account follows us? As I was writing this post, Todd Sieling (a friend whose opinion I respect and value) mentioned that businesses can have organic growth of followers by “talking to people talking about your domain and using hashtags”. As I answered to Todd, I don’t think both are mutually exclusive, but complementary.

The most important thing for me on any Web 2.0 platform is to maintain and continue the conversation. So, chime in with your thoughts on here

Online dating… the discussion continues

Raul — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:10:59 +0000

I often wonder if being single is what makes those of us who are still not hitched to think about it loudly and write about it on our blogs. At any rate, I share my friends’ concerns and questions, so I am going to give hat tips to Tanya and Duane who started awesome discussion threads on their blogs about the whole online dating thing (read Tanya’s great entry here and Duane’s awesome post here, although his is more focused on who picks up the tab).

For a bit of context, I also had posted questions about dating before, but never really got deep into the discussion (the most recent was an entry about whether dating is a skill that needs to be honed). One time I even gave the website ShagABlogger some exposure and asked about inter-blogger relations and hook ups.

Recently, while looking for a photo, I came across an interview with Pete Cashmore of Mashable.com where he talks about dating. You can see part of the interview below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcpnzaTPBAM&hl=en&fs=1]

What I found interesting (I have no idea who Pete is dating and how he met said person) is that the discussion at some point revolved around meeting someone NOT online but hanging out at specific social circles (like the Meetups I often attend). While I recognize that we are immersed in a “New Normal” where we meet potential partners and friends online (I can now admit that I’ve met some of my best friends online, as blogging has brought me numerous friends to whom I am close now).

The thing is, blogging in my case (and I think in Tanya’s and Duane’s case is the same) has allowed people to get to know me before they actually meet me in person. Also, I might be able to find a potential mate while on Facebook, but… as I’ve said before, I’m not into the whole Facebook Poke thingie.

So, the question remains… what do do, what to do? In the mean time, I’m going to go on the record and say that I thoroughly enjoy my singlehood.

Third Tuesday Meetup – Media sponsor is Miss604.com

Raul — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:37:34 +0000

Just a friendly reminder that tonight at 7:00pm at The Network Hub (on Richards Street. Closest Skytrain is Waterfront Station) is Third Tuesday, with Monica Hamburg speaking about CrowdSourcing and Rebecca Bollwitt (aka Miss604.com) as the media sponsor. Rebecca will be live-blogging. This one is organize by Tanya Davis (aka NetChick) and Tod Maffin (CBC’s Chief Geeky Officer).

I will be attending and taking some photos and some notes, but mostly will be there just to hear Monica’s insights and to socialize with other social media folks. Check out an explanation of what Third Tuesday is here and Rebecca’s live blog here. I am very much looking forward to seeing a lot of you there, you know who you are!