Do What Works for You

You didn't say anything wrong, you were just being honest. If someone doesn't like something, why would they keep using or doing it? Keep being honest Chris, there's enough phonies on the internet.

I couldn't agree more. Twenty people in a room, all with the exact same interests is usually pretty boring. And going along with something just because you're supposed to is just ridiculous.

Hi Chris,

I absolutely agree with you as well. Not everything works for everybody.

And you know what? I don't much like plurk, either. The concept is great and I like that people can comment on your plurks, but I don't like the format. I use it now and then but right now, it won't see as much use a Twitter and FriendFeed.

Keep it real, Chris. That's what I admire most about you. ;-)

~ Annie

Thank you. I was feeling bad because Batchbook really did not work for
me and you liked it and the people at Batchbook are So Nice. But now I am leaving guilt behind and doing what does work for ME. And who knows what doesn't work now, may in the future.

Hey Chris,
I love Plurk, I really do. It's cool, it's Canadian, it's shiney. But it doesn't do much for me, and I hardly use it. All the things you said are true. I particularly see it's scalability as limiting, and the amount of attention it requires as compared to Twitter and other services make it harder to use during the day. It's not something I can log into at work and check every so often.

That said, it's more personal than Twitter by default. Not that Twitter can't be very personal, but it doesn't attempt to force personal conversations to the same extent as Plurk.

I hope that makes sense. :)

Amen brother. If only more people thought this way, in so many other arenas - political, religious, diet, you name it.

If we don't make it clear what does NOT work for us, we will have a heck of a time trying to figure out what does.

I gave Plurk a fair shake and ran into the same things you did, Chris. Trying is all you can do. Everything is not one-size-fits-all.

You said it Chris!

When we start talking about social media and all of the various social media marketing tools out there (and there are more & more every day), it's all about finding "the right tools for the job." And that's going to vary from person to person. Not everything works for everybody.

OK, I'll play contrarian. It's easy to say everything is subjective and relative. But is anything universally good on the social web? I mean, we're not talking about Luddites who don't do email. These are people on the social web already. You can't compare a social media devotee who likes Plurk over Twitter to someone who thinks blogs are useless. These are two different types of people.

When it comes to social media types, we can easily disagree about Plurk vs. Twitter and Facebook vs. MySpace. But a few of the platforms and tools just nail it in an objective sense. RSS is beautiful. What's the alternative? What's not to like? And StumbleUpon is one of a kind.

To each their own and live and let live, for sure. But it's possible that social media truths exist beyond our whimsical opinions.

Some of my friends love eating tomatoes and dislike ketchup. Others enjoy ketchup but not the tomatoes.

For the longest time, I swore by Yahoo Mail and Internet Explorer; before that, Hotmail and Netscape. Now, it's GMail and Firefox.

Be thankful, Chris, you're not exposed to the internet behind an iron curtain of governmental control. You're allowed to make your own decisions and display your thoughts. Everyone won't agree with you but that's their right, too.

I tried Plurk and didn't like it, either. Maybe I'll like it in the future. Or not. Time, as cliche as it is, will tell.

God Bless You for writing this. It's how I approach my own little piece of real estate on the web.

What you describe - individuals fawning over internet tools - I equate this to being overly enthused with airplanes. That may be OK if you are Wilbur Wright, but maybe not so much if you are Al Gore. You know, "Let's move on, folks".

On my own blog, I don't claim to have big answers to pithy questions, nor do I have lots of instructions for how to make your life better, how to quit smoking, how to find true love, blah blah. I'm not trying to get your business, I can't consult you on anything, and I have no Ginsu Knives to sell you.

No, I just like writing on my blog occasionally and sharing whatever happens to be on my mind. I don't usually follow anyone's "doing it right" formula. If someone is reading, more power to them. If not, still, more power to them.

But for heaven's sake, don't ask me to "optimize" my blog for search engines, and don't expect me to tailor my posts to generate more WOM traffic anytime soon.

I've got a few tools I like to use which make communicating easier for me and for the seven people who read my stuff. I didn't ask anyone's approval before deploying these tools. If the widgets that I've added or the content discovery tools that I use don't really make me look all "with it" and trendy, oh well.

Regarding social media, I am working IN this space, but I am not OF this space. Do I really need the latest, greatest statistical tracking program? Do I really need better avatars? Are there ten reasons why my site doesn't get the big traffic? Could I improve my market penetration by publicizing my feed on Facebook? God, did I just type that??

I'm sure after reading this, none of the cool kids will play with me. Oops. Despite my apparent 'devil may care' attitude toward social media innovation, I do always find several useful nuggets each time I visit ChrisBrogan.com and I try to credit you when I use your stuff. So far the best of all have been the people I've met through these comments (two in particular: Mari Adkins and Becky McCray).

Thanks again for the good and timely post.

Chris,
I must admit I haven't even tried Plurk. I am with Twitter, and Twitter works for me, so why should I spent time on Plurk? People may say "how can you judge the value of Plurk without having tried it" - well I take that risk.

I have a couple of thoughts on this. First, I find that I don't really make a conscious decision whether I'm going to keep using a tool or not. I check it out, and I either keep going back or I don't. I learn from my own behaviour in this case - if I find myself not using a tool, I tend to analyze it - what is keeping me away? Why am I not finding value in this? What is the value that other people see?

Second, some of the tools are winning because of marketing and awareness, not because they are the best. It's the VHS/Betamax thing all over again. VHS won out even thought Betamax technically was a better quality format. Why? Users adopted the VHS format more readily. The players were marketed better.

Twitter is not the most technically sound tool out there, as we all know. It is not even the most functional, from a user interface standpoint. Neither is Facebook. Don't even get me started about all the things that are wrong with MySpace. But they win because they have won over their user base. Just shows you don't always have to be the best to win.

I'm glad you wrote this. I like Twitter but so far I don't like any other twitter-like tools. I do what works for me.

The internet is such a big place. There's room for all of us to do what we like.

Great points Chris. People have been getting swept up in the new/social media and they think they have to do it all! Good grief, those of us that are in it can't do it all and we don't want to! Plus the more you try, the more you get involved with, the less time you have to spend on each one.

Just like in business and in life, do what works for you, leave the rest to everyone else.

Glad you wrote this post. The various tools enable us to network (which is the point) in the ways we feel are optimal - for us. I'm not satisfied with any of the tools - it's still early days, after all, and these things are in rapid evolution mode - but I use them the way that fits me. Gravitating toward one or another tool/approach is hardly a moral issue, it's just pragmatism based on our styles. Networking is too broad to be narrowly defined by one style of conversing.

One hundred percent with you. While I love trying new social media tools, as the other commenters have stated, it's impossible to effectively utilize every tool there is, especially when many are virtually redundant.

Additionally, I love that there are a few of us who aren't on the plurk bandwagon. I tried it, felt that some features had real value, but overall I didn't care for total package. Karma?

I'll be the first to admit that I signed up for Identica, another microblogging platform, simply to claim my name/ID, with no intentions of ever actually using the site.

I have "plurk" moments, when I like to jump in there and peek at all the conversations (and the conversations ARE easier to follow there), but as you said, they would get impossible past a certain scale. But I think that's the intent.

It wasn't really designed for the "1000+ follower" crowd, I think. It was designed for the "couple hundred actual friends and acquaintances" crowd--and I think it actually works quite well for that. (Although I still despise the karma thing.)

I think that in addition to knowing what platforms just aren't for you, period, it's good to know what ones you're just going to be a casual, occasional participant in.

This article is my exact sales pitch to clients. Find what works for you, what makes you the most efficient and get the best results.

With that said, you should always be open minded to new/different things, but really, only stick around if you like it and it makes sense.

I feel the same way about Plurk, but have friends in the Social Media world who feel they get better click throughs and better conversation on the service. Good for them. Didn't happen for me.

Talk to ya soon!

I think we are all searching for the perfect new tool. The fact is we are all wired a bit differently, and some tools work great for some people, and not others.

Yet, in social media, the power is in the adopters- the more people and friends that are there, the more fun it is, so if some of your friends don't join, you miss them and the interaction.

I honestly think there is no perfect social media tool, or social media space- it's all about the company you keep when you're there, just like going out to dinner with friends. The restaurant sets the atmosphere and occasion to get together, but you provide the fun and the conversation that makes the experience more meaningful than the food itself.

Glad its not just me. There is so much on the social networking sites, people are forgetting to limit themselves.
They are so worried about being left out, they forget that there are only 25 hours in a day. If you are on for business, you have to limit yourself to the sites that work. I have dumped some sites that do not produce.

I track what is going on so I do not waste time. During the summer some sites are slower.

Do what work=do what makes money!

Dr. Wright
The Wright Place TV Show
www.wrightplacetv.com
www.twitter.com/drwright1

you also hold more weight because you are known
when you say that X isn't so keen-o
some folks might not even bother trying it out

if i was part of X i'd maybe get a little defensive as well
knowing that i didn't lose just you
but all those other people who won't even bother now

?

Plurk = Unnecessary Karmatic Stress Manipulation.

I'd prefer Plurk without all the Karma Krap personally.

I like FriendFeed and RSS and Ping for monitoring and broadcasting. Twitter has become a place to engage and converse linearly.

As with any business tools/applications there will be those of the Early Adopters (some will die there too), innovators etc., and thus we'll always have choice. The beauty of Capitalism and a free market economy.

Change is Brilliant!

Hey Chris! I actually find some of the "either or" talk funny. It's like debating the merits of one car model over another. We all like what we like, they're all different, they all have their uses. And to your point, we all take to things differently for different reasons. I use Plurk, Twitter, LinkedIn. Not crazy about FriendFeed, even though I know it's gaining traction. I try 'em all, kinda like sampling bites on a buffet. But I'll settle into what's comfortable to me, and hope you do the same. In any case, I'm glad I can connect with you right here, wherever else you may be. It's sure a big pond, and our we're liable to swim into each other eventually! Cheers.

I tend to agree with you. The tool that your using has to work for you to benefit you. If you can not gain what it is you need from it then it's not the site/tool for you. I find myself in the same boat with Plurk. As of now all I do is allow my Wordpress plugin auto post that I have made a new blog entry.

Chris I think your particular situation is a bit different re: Plurk. As you know, I absolutely LOVE Plurk and the reason why I love Plurk is because it lets me more quickly and easily have conversations with, and connect with, other Plurk users. Far more easily than I can on Twitter.

Now of course, your mileage may (and apparently does) vary.

But something i've noticed over the past few weeks is that our lil Plurk community would wonder why certain people weren't using Plurk. And you were one of those people. More than once I have heard 'Gee I wish Chris Brogan was here, he'd really love it!'

So now you've used Plurk, and you DON'T love it. So that's kinda like a slap in the face to the people that wanted you there. And of course you didn't intend it that way at all, but still.

As you are well aware, evangelists are very passionate people. I completely understand the idea of using what works for you, and agree that's what you have to do.

@Mack - I'm sure I love the people who use it. I don't love IT. Doesn't seem that it should matter, but a few of you have written back to say that it seems like a smack in the face.

I also don't use Yahoo mail, AOL, Netvibes Ginger, BlogTalkRadio, and 3,414,970 services. By choice. Not because I don't like the people there.

What's the solution?

Agreed, Chris. I wasn't into Twitter a year ago when others were raving about it and encouraging me to get involved but it did not fit with my life then. It's a much better fit now and I really "get it." I didn't "get it" back then so I waited and it was worth it.

@Mack Collier - I have a follow-up question. You wrote:

"So now you’ve used Plurk, and you DON’T love it. So that’s kinda like a slap in the face to the people that wanted you there. And of course you didn’t intend it that way at all, but still."

But still . . . what?

Not trying to be facetious / tendentious / etc. - I just don't know what comes next in that line of thought.

Nice! I know what you mean. I'm not a giant plurk fan. Do I use it, yeah? but hey, it's not a great place for research.

I actually had an argument with a friend once about getting a life. Essentially, all I particularly do with my 'life' (during the school year) is band functions and schoolwork. That's not good enough for the super jock, though. I also need to join clubs, go to parties, make new friends, etc etc.

I like the friends I have. Do I go out every night? No. On the flip side, do I have constant rumors and talking behind my back? Nope. I love music and I work hard to keep my grades up, so I don't see anything wrong with the life I've got. I have fun going to movies with my Dad, he gets my jokes.

You should always go with what's easiest for you and what makes you happy if it's something like just living your day to day life and managing things. As long as it doesn't effect them, who cares?

Snort. I am one of those people who re-tried to sell you on plurk since I was one of those who hated it first, but it seriously grew on me once my network was in place and we found our rhythm. I doubt I would have stuck with it had Twitter been up and running at any point in June (or July). But yup, I hear you. Do what works for you.

Good point Chris and I enjoy reading everyone's input on this.

I was resitant to Plurk myself but it has grown on me and I have made connections through conversations I wouldn't have had on Twitter.

The social media crowd can be a fickle one... and there is an evangelistic approach to supporting specific tools. Its interesting to see how people can get defensive.

Oh, good Lord, yes. I feel like I'm the only person in the business world that doesn't think the sun shines out of LinkedIn's ass. Facebook was kind of OK for me until the whole send-me-a-plant thing started. But I really dig Twitter.

It seems like there's a popular opinion that if you don't absolutely HEART the biggest and newest social media site, you lose your Web 2.0 card. Well, you may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb -- I'll take the opportunity to publicly admit that the iPhone has been in Canada for three whole weeks now and I don't have one of those either. :)

I don't like Plurk or Friendfeed. I don't want to read every single thing that someone decides to send through their social sites and Plurk's layout turns me off. I felt guilty about this until I realized I have plenty of conversation and information where it really works for me. I try new things, but in the end, it's about what fits into my life.

I have a business to run and need to focus on what works for my productivity (etc) versus what works for others.

Oh and there are plenty of other places to play (and connect with Chris). :)

I'm with on you Plurk. I like the interface, pretty neat with the timeline and images, but its just not effective. I gave it a week and that was all I needed to make my decision. My time is better spent on Triiibes, Twitter, LinkedIn and sometimes Facebook.

I'm another of those who totally agrees, Chris! And it's one thing for those of us who work in social media to try everything...and weed it out. It's another for small business people to be trying everything and finding they're spending more time on social media than they are on their businesses. In my consulting, I've found this to be common, and also for many to just throw up their hands and walk away from *everything.* So, one of the best, and most important thing for some of us is to try things, weed them out, and then have the knowledge of the community to recommend various apps to clients. It's good for us to know both the pros and cons of a service as well as its community. Only then can we do the right thing for ourselves and our harried clients!

Thanks for saying it so well. :-)

This a great post. I agree, too. I just can't hop on board with Twitter or RSS feeds yet. I feel like my life is already on information overload with news, blogs, e-mails, etc., that just adding a few more things that are so "instant" will drive me insane and I won't get anything done!

I totally agree with you, I have not tried out Plurk yet, however there are other platforms that really are not for me, Facebook for example, I hate it!

Amen.

I empathise with you completely Chris - I've tried many a social site and always give them some time to see if they will 'gel' into my routines.

However, Plurk just didn't 'do it' for me either, for much the same reasons that you quoted.