So for the last several weeks, I have slowly pulled away from the internet.
It used to be, (and this was only a year ago) that when I would log in, there was always something happening. Podcasts, forums, valuable blogs, tips on marketing, ect. All of a sudden of late, I no-longer hear that background chatter. I had my days and evenings booked, with calls, and events, chat's and webinar's. Groups and new people, now I do not.
I am not sure if this is because this is the beginning of the new year, or if this is just my perception, but it seems as if there is less and less information out there to be had, or at least less valuable. It is feeling cutthroat all of a sudden. I am no longer quit enamored of the people I meet, or interact with, because there seems to be a lack of engagement. No chat, no group meetings, no hey, how ya doing? Some one is always looking for something to benefit them, whether it be sales, or just the looky me mentality... but it has become quite the turn-off.
Oh...business is still good, goals are still in place, but I no longer find the mutual support amongst people, at least not in the manic manner in which it seems to have been prior to now.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy and benefit from some of that information that is out there, and from the people that it comes from, but not from behind rose colored glasses. Maybe this is part of growing in business and on-line, but in my opinion, it no-longer holds the power it did at 1st with me. Maybe I am wrong to think that who I have met and interacted with, learned from, and moved forward with should still be around for my needs, or my perceived needs, but one of the 1st things I was taught here was to support those who support you. I just don't see it happening. It's awful quiet out there.
What do you think?
13 comments:
I think you have hit the proverbial nail on the head beauty! I try to support fellow sellers and corss promote and teach what I know (which is small since I just started selling online in earnest last year) Great Post!
I also think some if it is due to people evolving. Things ebb and flow and we may just be in the gully between the waves. A year ago, we were like sponges just soaking up all that new information. So look at it like you are just starting again today and find the next level of information you are seeking.
I am learning that if I don't follow the current, I get stuck on the shore and that is not where I want to be.
People are still around but now more like an old friend that you can pick up a conversation with after years, than a new boyfriend that you cant get enough of.
Hope that all makes sense.
Karen :)
There's the words I wanted.. the ebb and flow. I agree.
Well Karen, I know we've crossed paths, but not often, and not much.
Just dropped a note to say 'hi" and still the quiet a bit.
What you say rings a bell, but hey, most of the people in our lives actually fall into the category of being "self-interested". Online is no different.
I think the one aspect of "time" is the tell-tale sign. Just look around at those still standing, and regroup from there.
I think Karen Locker(@mommysbazaar?) said something about feeling like being in a bubble. A little burst, and fresh air flies in. Keep talking that's what keeps me sane :-)
Awesome post! I definitely miss some of what used to be daily and practically manic interaction on Twitter, which you lead me to wonder was caused by either A) the freshness of the platform or B) the excitement of meeting new people with similar interests. Once in awhile a conversation still crops up that will fill my Tweetstream in no time flat, but they're definitely fewer and far between. I'm left learning towards thinking it's the platforms losing luster though as I have to assume there are still new and interesting people joining everyday, people who unfortunately missed a lot of our early buzz and excitement ... so where are they?
Drifting from podcasts is a different story. I really don't understand why I've moved on from there. I obviously don't know it all, so there must be some level of information which I'd benefit by listening too, perhaps it's just the next step from where we were is too filled up with marketers? I dunno.
In the end I'm very glad of the relationships I've formed through social media, especially Twitter, and I like to think many of those relationships have continued and evolved, and to some degree continue to evolve over time. Again, I find it mystifying that while I must have met 25-30 new and good friends throughout 2008 to mid-2009 (including you!), the number since last Summer would probably fit on one hand.
I think Karen really hit the nail on the head too, while some of the romance is gone, I get a reunion feeling a lot of times now.
Just an excellent thought-provoking post,
Cliff
I also must chime in... and say bravo!
I agree... it some ways it is quiet...not too much of the 'Socializing' and lively discussions going on. But on the other hand it is very noisy, with seemingly senseless tweets of lists of names, and a whole lot of 'look at me' with never telling people why they should. And it is not just twitter suffering.
Now here ar the first of a new year, I know people get busy, redoing and revamping to ready ourselves for the year ahead. but if we fail to keep the fire burning, yes, the flame will go out, and your warmth will be but a distant memory.
To forsake relationships for business, to me, is one of the poorest ways to do business.
I feel the truth of what you say, not sure why things have changed. With me, it's mostly that I pretty much stopped using Twitter and social media for marketing my books. So I slowly stopped attending a lot of podcasts and such. Also, there is a lot of repetition out there, and I think as we have all been here for a while now we don't have the same kind of needs from it. But I will always value, support, and love my friends here, who have stood by me when I needed them.
Don't fall into the trap. What you are feeling is completely normal. I feel the same when working with graphic designers and clients.
The liaising process is dead. The creative process stops dead in it's tracks. There is no learning. Half of the information on the web is junk information anyways. Not worth it... nothing to learn... it's entertainment.
It seems cutthroat because everybody is trying to do something that just doesn't work.
The people making money are the people out there making it happen.
The people grinding the economy to a halt are the people in DIY mode behind the rose colored glass.
I have to work to encourage people to meet, to contact, to actually do work together. It's insane.
It's not the way it's supposed to be. If it was... you would find every single accountant, banker, anybody and everybody telecommuting.
Take the example from the largest advertiser of our time. The GooglePlex is a place to work and come together.
Hope that fits in somewhat to what your saying. Don't let another persons foolish pride lead you to believe they are succeeding where you should be. They aren't... jmo...
Not to say the internet is useless... But come on... Just to clarify... I speak at something like 256KB per second. I type maybe 30 words per minute.
Social media has been pushed so hard that most people see it as a business obligation rather than the social interaction it should be. When everything becomes about business only a lot of the enjoyment goes out of it. When 99% of the people that follow you on Twitter and Facebook are either "media gurus" or there for the sole purpose of selling you something a lot of the fun goes out of it. Social media is reduced to simple advertising and self-promotion. When the fun is gone, so is the Woofer........
Maybe it's because I'm relatively new to Twitter, having just joined in late September, but I still think it's a hoot. I love meeting people from all over the world and getting different perspectives. And I have been surprised to find people in far-flung places who often seem to be on my wave-length! Who knew there were others out there like me? Cool.
For me, it has been a swift kick in the keister to get back to the writing I had drifted away from in the last few years. Sometimes an offhand tweet made by a newfound friend or a tweeted link that sends me to a funny or informative blog will set me off and inspire a blog post or a column. The end result has been that, right now, I am sitting here looking at a pile of notes scribbled on scraps of paper just waiting to be magically (hah!) transformed into something that, hopefully, someone will want to read. I now know that, if I ever think I've run out of ideas or have hit the old writer's block wall, all I have to do is check in on the gang on Twitter.
And, since I happen to live in the back-of-beyond right now, I adore (don't think I've ever used that word before but nothing else fits) online shopping. I didn't join Twitter for that, but I have been pleasantly surprised to find a great group of sellers there. After following these people for a while and having a couple of conversations, I started checking out their shops. Wow, kids! You all have some great stuff! And who better to buy from than someone you have gotten to know, feel comfortable with, and trust? My only regret is that my bank account falls a little short of all my retail therapy needs. One seller at a time . . . So, don't quit on me now! (Pssst. I also have friends with credit cards.)
What an excellent post!
I've been on the internet since 1997 - created my first web site that year, which is still active and still has an active online forum. Folks there have formed lasting friendships, and many of us have met in person.
For the past several months, though, I've lost interest in the internet and social sites in particular. How many posts about marketing tips, e-books, etc., can a human handle? I love to discuss history, art, religion, philosophy, but so few are interested in discussing anything that isn't about online sales anymore.
So I'm bored, and disenchanted with the web at the moment. Twitter is useless to me, as is MySpace, Multiply, etc. I have a blog here and that's about it. I hang out on Facebook once in a while to say hello and keep up with friends from other sites, but will things ever go back to being truly interesting? Only time will tell, I suppose.
Wow, look at all these comments. Must say I too have pulled away. It's been kinda like the relationship that goes flat over time. Then something new comes along. I'm getting more and more involved in my full time job and finding less time to sit at the computer. It's become a second job. And a slow moving one at that. I admire those who have the energy to keep doing live auctions, block parties, etc. But my work hours don't allow me to participate. Maybe that's what sparked it; I can't come to the party! LOL
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