The power of networking is immense. For me that's the best way to build brand, trust and long-term relationships.
Wayne Smallman
· 2 years ago
While you make a good case for not offering out links, I don't think you're making a good argument.
If — as a trusted expert in your field — you're not giving a leg up to those hoping to match or better you, what other value do you give to those people?
Ultimately, it's all about how you theme and manage your 'blog.
But when I read what you've said, it could easily be interpreted as you saying you're not confident enough to endorse directly, so you do so indirectly by other means, in an effort to distance yourself...
Lee Odden
· 2 years ago
Wayne, it has nothing to do with confidence in endorsement. It has to do with the fact that we don't post industry news ala Marketing Pilgrim, Search Engine Watch, etc.
When I get emails like, "We launched a new SEO tool, can you mention it to your readers?" or "I just wrote a post about XYZ, will you mention it on your blog?" those things being pitched must fit with content we're already planning on publishing or it's not getting covered.
However, if it's a great tool or a great post, I may bookmark, submit, post, etc it which may bring far more value anyway.
If what you got out of the post is that we don't like to link out - that's not the point at all. One would be hard pressed to find any post where we don't link out.
Wayne Smallman
· 2 years ago
Hi Lee, I did add a disclaimer: ultimately, it’s all about how you theme and manage your ‘blog.
Or you just become another TechCrunch, which really wouldn't do!
But people offering up industry news can't constitute the sum total of messages you receive.
And staying within the context of the articles you write, dropping a valued link under some text every now & then won't harm anyone.
For me, citations are the new 'blogroll...
Michael D
· 2 years ago
I believe the issue here (for many of us) is the types of people mentioned in your first paragraph don't understand "The Currency of Social Networks" which creates an unbalanced system of exchange.
The e-mails, Facebook messages, and PR pitches become little more than requests for a handout, or free ride, and they can oftentimes be more harmful than beneficial. Continual requests become red flags that identify them as people in the industry to avoid, as their pitches show a lack of understanding of the industries currency system. Unfortunately, this behavior is far more common than the behavior of giving or paying forward which is as Lee stated, "only as valuable as the value you bring to the community."
It's simple principle. Those that give value, get value in return. The sweet thing is that this system of currency is set up for you to get more than you give, but as they say in the California lottery, you gotta be in it, to win it.
Dan
· 2 years ago
Social networks are powerful but just check the valuations these guys are getting. Facebook valued at $15 billion !!!
Boris
· 2 years ago
I read this kind of stuff all the time. So I have to ask could you please do a follow-up and explain the ROI for all this SM work? Thanks
Marc
· 2 years ago
It's as simple as this: You give you get. But what you give better be something of value. You can't give just for the sake of receiving. MOst people in the blogosphere though, just take.
David
· 2 years ago
The article is right and the comments, in turn, highlight the issues that revolve around social tagging and how it can be used. The point of the article is that, in terms of online publicity, you need to have a good reason for not leveraging the power of social networks. The right article an really fly much further than you thought by becoming a true viral piece. In term of the issues, or problems, associated with this approach Boris is right in asking about the ROI and the answer her is that it really depends on the quality of the post. Anyone creating a social tagging campaign must understand that the principles of viral marketing apply. It has to be interesting, sassy, maybe a little quirky, appeal to different people at different levels and contain an implicit rather than explicit marketing message.
All Comments
If — as a trusted expert in your field — you're not giving a leg up to those hoping to match or better you, what other value do you give to those people?
Ultimately, it's all about how you theme and manage your 'blog.
But when I read what you've said, it could easily be interpreted as you saying you're not confident enough to endorse directly, so you do so indirectly by other means, in an effort to distance yourself...
When I get emails like, "We launched a new SEO tool, can you mention it to your readers?" or "I just wrote a post about XYZ, will you mention it on your blog?" those things being pitched must fit with content we're already planning on publishing or it's not getting covered.
However, if it's a great tool or a great post, I may bookmark, submit, post, etc it which may bring far more value anyway.
If what you got out of the post is that we don't like to link out - that's not the point at all. One would be hard pressed to find any post where we don't link out.
Or you just become another TechCrunch, which really wouldn't do!
But people offering up industry news can't constitute the sum total of messages you receive.
And staying within the context of the articles you write, dropping a valued link under some text every now & then won't harm anyone.
For me, citations are the new 'blogroll...
The e-mails, Facebook messages, and PR pitches become little more than requests for a handout, or free ride, and they can oftentimes be more harmful than beneficial. Continual requests become red flags that identify them as people in the industry to avoid, as their pitches show a lack of understanding of the industries currency system. Unfortunately, this behavior is far more common than the behavior of giving or paying forward which is as Lee stated, "only as valuable as the value you bring to the community."
It's simple principle. Those that give value, get value in return. The sweet thing is that this system of currency is set up for you to get more than you give, but as they say in the California lottery, you gotta be in it, to win it.