As I become more and more involved in the different social media, I am able to observe the different ways people act online. Personalities definitely shine, even in 140 characters. This can be a really good thing – an art form, really. But it can also be boorish, annoying and a waste of my time and yours.
Here are my top 3 Things That Drive Me Crazy Online
- Profile pictures that don’t match who you are. I do not care about your favorite cartoon, your dog, your cat or your bird. I’m happy you have a family and I hope you’re enjoying them immensely, but I don’t want to see cute baby pictures – and that includes childhood pictures of YOU! One notable exception: Post those pics on Facebook, but not as your profile picture. Put them into an album, and then one night when I just want to cruise around on the net and get to know someone a little better, I may pop in an take a look at your DisneyWorld vacation. But that’s only after I’ve gotten to know you a little.
- Assuming I want to play dumb, mind-numbing, time-wasting games on Facebook. I don’t. Find your Farkles somewhere else. And if you’re so intrigued with farming, move to Kansas. I also don’t want to receive flowers, hugs, puppies and kittens, and I am not interested in the twisted theology that departed loved ones have come back in the form of angels and need disbursing on Facebook. (Angels are real, but people don’t become angels – sorry).
- Don’t send me an auto-generated message on Twitter and ask me to go to your site and check out your stuff. How about a nice hello first? Can you imagine going to a party, walking up to someone and saying, “I’m Jeanne. I’m drinking a margarita and I want you to go to my website and see what you might like to buy.” People would be wasting no time getting away from me. Yet, that’s what I see people doing everyday on Twitter. It annoys the %#$#$ out of me and it’s all I can do to not hit the Unfollow button.
What really attracts me is when it looks like someone has offered something of value, or at least information that is interesting. Many times, I’ll click on a link and read an article, and then it may lead to my wondering who was behind all this great information, and I’ll click on their website and possibly bookmark that site. That happened twice this morning.
The internet is a fascinating place to work and play. Be thoughtful and use some common sense. You’ll be oh, so much more popular.
What about you? What drives you crazy? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Hi Jeanne:
I came to Facebook kicking and screaming. I signed up totally for business, but have not done much with it (in terms of creating a Fan Page). The privacy invasion drives me crazy and all of the games want to link to all my info. plus my friends – uh, no. So, I am so there with you on #2.
Another thing that drives me crazy is a carryover from email. Give me your contact information! I hate having to go search it out. I will probably not bother.
I’ll back you up (200%) on #’s 1,2,and 3!!
Reading your post made me feel like you were doing all the venting for me. What are friends for, right?
I’ve come to the conclusion social media venues are always going to have their fair share (and in some cases, an OVERABUNDANCE) of people who simply don’t ‘get’ it.
So I just Re-Tweeted your post. Who knows? A few folks who have a farming fetish just might read it and decide to leave Facebook and move to Kansas!
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Right on! When I get a message to “friend” someone or even look at something they are promoting, I want to know who they are. I meet so many people that I don’t always remember their names. My time is valuable, at least to me, and I want to at least get the feeling that the person responding respects my time and is offering something of some value to me in exchange for looking at what they are promoting.
You are a mind reader, my friend!
Hi Jeanne,
I’m laughing at this first post I’ve ever read by you. I like your energy! I don’t have a problem with your #1, but #2 and #3 do drive me crazy. In fact, I dislike #3 so much I think twice about following someone on Twitter because I don’t want to get this type of auto-reply.
And yes, give me good information but don’t push it in my face. I’m an intelligent human who can make my own decisions.
Thanks,
Peggy
Peggy,
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to leave your (very funny) comment! I am really enjoying getting to know AllStarPLR this week.
I’m so glad we ran into each other. I see good things on our horizons!
Come back soon.
Jeanne
You hit the nail on the head Jeanne! And funny thing about a profile picture, I actually have been told by several new clients that the reason why they even connected with me in the first place was that I wasn’t afraid to hide behind a logo or other image. They felt like they knew me right away just from my profile pic. So it can be a very important part of your marketing and bringing awareness to you and your business.
But I have to tell you Jeanne that one of my most annoying thing is when you go to someone’s blog and you do not see their name anywhere. In fact, the author name is their business name or ‘admin’ and that makes me think that person doesn’t even work their site. Give me your name at least in the post so I can comment back to you directly. Wouldn’t you say that is fair?
BTW Jeanne, I found you through Melanie Kissel’s Networked Blogs, you were on the suggested list and I enjoyed visiting your blog today.
Social Media is very difficult for me. I have told people that I would rather have my finger nails pulled out then spend time doing that. I recently took a class that said, people on SM are not your buyers. Nice.
Good job saying what we’re all thinking!
Can you explain to me why my photo isn’t showing up in my comment? It shows up everywhere, I must have missed something?
I see, I used a different email address:)
Suzanne – Hey, thanks for stopping by. Go into your Gravatar.com account and add ALL emails that you might use anywhere on the net. Last year, I had forgotten to add one of my email addresses, and when I did, the mystery cleared up.
There are so many crazy things online that people do that sorta bug me, but the biggest one is the “immediate sale” sort of thing. Buy me a drink, get to know me, then pitch me..gently. You never know how well genuine interest works until you try it.. : )
I love it…especially the part about getting their Farkles somewhere else. I have blocked all the applications I can think of for this. Yes, if you want to farm…move to Kansas…I hear they are getting lots of rain about now
You would have loved what I did while getting a mani/pedi this week. Next to me, woman took a cell call and talked for all the shop to hear. Since it went on…and I was trying to read a book RIGHT beside her, I read it out loud to her until she clicked off. I never looked and her and she did not look at me, but I know others were no doubt amused. Would you have done that or something else? I am just sick of rude people ruining experiences for others.
Hi Jeanne,
I love your picture here. It certainly DOES match your message. Very funny.