WhatsTheBuzzAbout.com

What You Think Is Valuable

Way too often people will assert that they do not participate in groups and forums as posters, but as “learners,” otherwise lurking or sitting on the sidelines, i.e., reading but not actively contributing. Frequently, they claim that they do not have anything to contribute.  Some people are so shy that they will send their comments and questions to others offline hoping that the person to whom they sent them will post or handle their concern without any public recognition of the sender.

However, moderators and active participators also ask where are the people who have signed up for this group or forum and are obviously reading it but not posting —why are they not posting and participating? Many groups’ conversations are carried by the few. These conversations are limited by virtue of what those individuals know or do not know, and what they chose to share.

Limited participation is not beneficial to any group or forum. It restricts us all because we do not have the benefit of collective thoughts, ideas, suggestions, knowledge, and wisdom. It is as though we are one body and yet only one small component is functional. We are hampered instead of enriched.  Everyone has something to contribute that is valuable.

We need to encourage everyone to post and to comment. We need to begin to draw out people who have something to contribute, but who are too shy or reticent to do that. We will all benefit from more participation and more interaction. So, how do we do that? Start by being an example as an active participant.

·         Ask questions that solicit responses, such as– What do you think about x, y, or z?

·         Ask questions that give information about you and ask for the perspective of someone in a different area. For example, if you are nurse and have a posting about donating blood on a health-related site,  ask for information about other experiences and other perspectives from donors, doctors, recipients, etc.?

·         Post things that are current or thought-provoking.

·         Ask for individuals to take the lead on certain issues you would like to explore–perhaps new people will step up to the plate and take the lead.

·         Post something about something you do not know about and about which you want to learn more and ask for information.

·         Diversify the discussion topics. Multiple threads (also known as discussion topics) stimulate postings.

·         Post things that will help others think, learn, and grow.  Post “What if” questions?

·         Ask for other’s opinions and take surveys.

·         Offer to help someone who is looking for an answer.

·         Write to members off-line and encourage them.

·         Quote members’ writings from other areas if appropriate.  Recognition is a powerful catalyst.

You can make a difference. Help ensure that others know that their participation is needed, desired, important, and valued.

What is your buzz about?

Posting in Groups and Forums

Sometimes we want to post new topics or respond to posts in a group or forum. We may submit our post and it might immediately show up because the group is not moderated or we are pre-approved to post.  However, our postings may be subject to the approval of a moderator who may or may not be online most of the time and who may or may not approve it. So, how do we know whether our response or posting will see the light of day if the group is moderated?

General Group Posting Rules for Content

·         It should be relevant. Do not attempt to discuss the results of a final soccer match on a group with Lean Six Sigma in the title.

·         It should be succinct and clear. You are busy, so are the readers. Let them know what you want them to know quickly.

·         It should be free from content error. Make sure that your facts are accurate, and that you are not passing on a rumor. If you are providing advice, make sure that the advice is on point.

·         It should be free from egregious spelling and grammatical errors. You want the readers to focus on the content.

·         It should be word neutral. Do not use words that may not be understood in many countries or are considered jargon. Do not use words that are offensive to any particular segment of individuals.

·         It should not attempt to force someone to sign up on a group in order to explore the information contained in the post. For example, do not list an event which requires someone to sign up for another network just to learn more about the event.

·         It should be suitable for reproduction on the front page of any newspaper.  Make sure that what you put in print, you will stand by and it would “make your mother proud.”

·         Do not insult, disrespect, or discount anything that anyone else in the group has posted.  It is unnecessary to tear someone else down to make a point. Agree to disagree and move on.

·         Do not monopolize the group by posting too much. Encourage others off and online to contribute their thoughts.

·         Do not post acknowledgement phrases which might clutter the conversation, or worse, potentially shut it down. For example, do not post phrases such as “thank you” or “I wish I would have thought of that.”

·         If you are filled with emotion for any reason, wait to post. Give yourself a few minutes before you post.

·         Reread your post before posting. Reading it out loud also helps.

·         Use the rule of thumb- Would you want to read what you posted? Is it trustworthy?  

Please let me know of any other general rules you use.  Happy Posting!

What is your buzz about?

Is Passivity Dependable?

Many social networkers connect with the concept of keeping in touch or “paying it forward.” They may simply respond to requests to connect, or they may be proactively seeking connections.  These networkers intend to assist their connections as needed in anticipation that sometime in the future those individuals  or others will assist them.

If the social networkers have large numbers of connections, they may assume that the demands or needs of their connections will be minimal. They may not even consider that connecting with another individual will result in many requests from that individual’s contacts to connect with them and that the domino effect will come into play.

More often than not, social media connections are relatively passive.  However, some social media connections are very active. They are the ones who invite you to every network to which they are invited and, of course, have joined. They invite you to many groups, send you applications to consider adding to your profile, refer others to you to connect, ask questions, and ask you for help in connecting with someone or contributing to a cause, etc., etc.

Sometimes mega-connectors do not start out being mega-connectors–they evolve into it by virtue of responding positively to requests to connect.  However, at some point there may be a diminishing return. By connecting with many individuals, thousands perhaps, the law of diminishing return from might kick in when requests to connect, join groups, etc. pour in and require response. A social networker needs to consider the size of his or her network, and how they chose to use it. One thing to consider is the pay it forward to yourself concept.

If you agree to connect and have hundreds of connections or have even become a mega-connector, you need to be prepared to manage the volume that might ensue from your connections or make changes.  Connections may be passive until a certain event—war, economy, etc. impacts them, and all of a sudden, there they are requesting help.  Can you manage their requests? Are you willing to commit the time? 

The traditional self-help advice of taking care of yourself first in order that you can take care of others applies in this social media space. Decide what is your goal when connecting? Are you willing to connect to a large number of individuals based on them finding you as opposed to you finding them? Are you willing to take the necessary time to help everyone to whom you connect, to connect with individuals who find you through that connection and help them, to manage the eventual growth of your network based upon that simple decision to connect with any one individual? Are you willing to turn connections into live meetings when possible? 

The quality and quantity of your network is your decision, but do not count on your connections being passive!

What is your buzz about?