Comments on: Everybody’s Talkin’

By: Sam Carpenter

Sam Carpenter — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:12:39 +0000

Content IS king. Thanks Peter.

By: Sam Carpenter

Sam Carpenter — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:46:02 +0000

In the final analysis, or maybe the only analysis, content is everything. Even a little humor makes for some good content. But, what I had for lunch or my state of mind? C’mon! Thanks Peter.

By: Sam Carpenter

Sam Carpenter — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:43:21 +0000

Mike: Thanks. Twitter is OK but it has to be managed properly. There are a lot of tricks out there to get followers but who cares if the followers never pay attention. You got it right re the pizza and laundry. Even a family member doesn’t care about those things.

By: Sam Carpenter

Sam Carpenter — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:41:15 +0000

Well put, Kaya. Thanks. The responses to my Twitter posting have been positive. I just got back from a mini vacation and, as usual, am amazed at the overview I get on things. Getting away is a good thing. I sent you a friend request (at least I hope it’s you. There’s a couple of Kaya Hardins…)

By: Sam Carpenter

Sam Carpenter — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:36:30 +0000

Good point. We get so involved with things that we don’t even think about whether they’re worthwhile or not. I see Twitter as useful but only if managed sensibly. The hype around Twitter is thick as stew and that carries over into even studying a few posts about it.

By: Sam Carpenter

Sam Carpenter — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:44:12 +0000

Funny how that phrase “content is king” applies to just about everything. Thanks Gary.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:49:22 +0000

This is an important article — but I wonder if those on the bandwagon would ever read it with an open mind. I’ve played around with it a bit, and increasingly wonder how in the world Twitter can contribute to greater productivity, at least in its current state.

By: Kaya Hardin

Kaya Hardin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:43:10 +0000

Thank you for the mention, Sam. You said it so well – a “numbers game” doesn’t create real community. As someone who develops and maintains online communities for others, I find myself fighting to keep my personal presence genuine. While those who are signing the checks are looking for high numbers to validate the cost, I am struggling to find a balance between what they want to see and what I believe actually works: genuine interaction and keeping connections below the overwhelm limit.

As you say in your book, “it’s all about perfecting systems and then maintaining that perfection”. But the online community is still enduring a struggle between traditional marketers and those who realize what it really means to create “honest” connections online. The systems aren’t clear to most, and so those who are working to define them and maintain them often seem to get caught up in the chaos – myself included.

Hopefully people will eventually realize that listening and responding has more value than merely compiling…

By: Mike Wright

Mike Wright — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:50:26 +0000

Very well put. Being new to blogging, I often wonder about how much personal trivia to share. Honestly, I doubt anyone cares if I had pizza for dinner or if I’m sorting laundry. (both are true by the way.) I’ve been resistant to Twitter and will probably remain so because I have my own pizza and laundry to worry about. And thanks so much for the Nilsson link. That added to my day in a good way!

By: Gary Duke

Gary Duke — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:55:02 +0000

Sam,

You describe well some of the downside of Twitter today, and I agree. It will be interesting to see if it evolves in the future. One of its best uses now is to share content. Following trusted contributors (like yourself) who post a shortened URL to compelling content is productive for me.