RT @cameronolivier: RT @Artboredom: 5 Lessons About Self-Promotion In Social Media: [link to post]

– Posted using Chat Catcher

So here is some feedback on your gratuitous insult to Tris Hussey, a man whom I and many others regard as a respected friend, generous to a fault and always ready to help others. One of nature’s gentlemen if ever there was one. Typically, Tris has responded graciously. Surely you would not want some to be making cheap remarks about Shefaly, or Yogendra? You do owe Tris an apology, you know.

http://skepteye.com/2008/12/12/dave-johnston-skyrockets-to-the-summit-of-twitter-in-indianapolis/

So…

@adam – I react the same way. For that reason I follow very few “a-listers.”

@Shefaly – I’ve never met Tris but I know plenty of people who have, and I’ve yet to hear a bad word said about him. Now on the topic (!): Thanks for your thoughts – glad you found the post useful.

@Gina – indeed – it’s the human factor that seems to make the difference here. Thanks for stopping by!

@bob – lol To everyone else… register for Podcasters Across Borders 2009!

@steve – thanks.

@parker – glad to know my image-searching isn’t in vain!

@tris – you may well be right. I guess only Matt can shed light on that.

@danny – I agree – I would never let a release go out about me without signing-off on it (mind you, I’d be reluctant for a release to go out about me at all). Hopefully that’s a learning point that people take away from this.

@lois – you’re right, some of the piling-on (and I’m not entirely innocent) has been harsh. Still, some people have started constructive conversations on this. Scott (above) has had a great back-and-forth on his site, for example.

I would imagine the ugly posts will have caused many to fear stepping into this world and making a mistake bringing the world down upon their head. If the community helps others first, then reach out and tell someone they’ve breached etiquette and protocol without clubbing him to death.

Thanks again.

I think this whole episode highlights a key problem for many people coming into social media (especially “professional” people) – using non-social approaches.

In Matt’s case, he was simply using atypical affiliate marketing approaches – this is great, I did this, this is what I can do for you if you follow/sign up, etc.

Unfortunately for Matt, this approach doesn’t go down well in social media circles.

What I found even more interesting is Matt’s response on Scott’s blog. He says he wasn’t aware of the contents of the press release and that had he seen it, he would have agreed it was over the top.

Sorry, Matt, but as a successful businessman that has built his success around promotion in one form or another, I find that a little hard to believe. And if it is really the case, then that was a major error too.

Dave, thanks for the link back. For me the more interesting point isn’t how we have perceived this release but how his potential clients see it. I think they will just be wowed and think he’s all the cooler.

Just like a lot of self promotion, often the quick gloss over misses the feet of clay.

But I also come for the good points you make, Dave.

I think the line that resonated most with me is that “The difference here is that the release proclaims ‘elite’ status in a forum that the release shows the issuer doesn’t understand.”

He’s bragging about his elite status using a tool that most users give little credit to, counting it as nothing more than an ego boost.

Also – I love Steve Cunningham’s comment that those with the best conversations win.