Building Online Friendships The Right Way

2008 August 16
tags: , , , ,
by Allan Cockerill

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This post was written with the help of my Plurk friends, and contains some insights from them that may just help you to build strong online friendships.

Plurk Critters!

I began by asking a series of questions over the past day or so about their relationships on Plurk, and other sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Contrary to the opinion of a lot of self styled marketing experts, social media users are not some group of avid consumers waiting to run and check the latest offering on their website.

These are normal everyday people from a range of backgrounds and interests that meet together on this, and other social platforms.

What Bugs These Folks?

People who Plurk or Twitter 50 times a day, yet never respond on to others.

People who spam with links and or products.

Other things that upset them is plain rudeness, and sharing too much “intimate” information.

The message is plain! Be friendly, reply to others and be respectful.

Sharing the occasional link is all right, but do it too much, and you begin to lose friends.

Once that happens, it really doesn’t make that much sense, does it?

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  • Hehe, I actually like the posts that are a little "too" intimate as you said, but I agree with you - people who post so often that they down out the rest of the people I am trying to follow are in for a quick unfriending/unfollowing ;)

    Sid Savaras last blog post..Leveraging Expertise - On The Shoulders Of Giants
  • Simple really isn't it - no different to real life at all. Good article

    Jim Mannings last blog post..The effort we spend on everything but ourselves
  • webpenguin
    I had responded that I don't like intimate details, so I feel I should qualify my remark. I like the occasional dirty joke or reference as much as the next person. I have a sense of humor. I do try to be careful about getting too crude knowing that minors are following my plurks. What I don't want to know are the details of someone's sex life. That turns me off, especially when I am subjected to it by the same person repeatedly. It smacks of attention-seeking, and not the positive kind. Don't want to give the impression I'm a prude! :-)
  • Great article, and most of us should understand the unwriten rules. I'm one of those that don't want to talk too much without sense, just to make karma, I prefer to give a link to an article which I like it, and maybe help others to feel good for a moment.

    Raavi | Social Medias last blog post..Tempura Mattress Revolution [Digg]
  • This is a great article, and there's so much trouth in it! Thanks for sharing it!
    andysp on plurk etc

    Andysps last blog post..Social life or not?
  • I agree with you on this, I had a very bad exp. on blog catalog where my friend list is spread over to 5-6 pages but of no use.

    Reading this article, I realized where am I lacking. Thanks for sharing!!
  • oye loco me gusta este articulo mucho gracias por la ayauda
  • You write very well.

    Cheynes last blog post..mega mortgage - Best mortgage rate refinance thehomemortgage
  • gacconsultants
    Only those with proper social media etiquette will find success. It is about transparency, conversation, and relationships with like minded people. I do suppose that there are different standards driving various communities, but I can't see Plurking as you call it, or spamming being beneficial in any of them.

    Great insight,

    Mark
  • It's not good i think so. I never agree with building online friendships,they never done in the right way.But not all some of them may....

    calacalaiss last blog post..How Much Advertising Can a Buck Buy?
  • DW
    1. There is nothing more annoying then adding someone as a 'friend' and they immediately begin spamming you. That is not the basis of a friendship!
    2. Links and jokes are ok but to a point. If your relationship is only swapping a series of links and jokes without any other exchanges then you really don't have much of a friendship.
    3. I too am sensitive to someone asking me too much, too soon. In real life or online friendships need time to unfold.
    4. On facebook I 'll play Thin-slice with new friends. I find it an easy way to get to know people online. i like the fact the game picks the questions so no one feels they're intruding or crossing a line.
  • i would say Short but very sweet article, yeh many people don't wanted to share their intimate details, may doing for link and publicity every one using for their own beneficial purpose but we need to understand some unwritten rule so it will be good for all...
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