Last week on Twitter a big name in the industry – (Let’s call him Sam) tweeted my post about Facebook Advertising. And so my post got re-tweeted about 20 times by Sam’s faithful followers. Which is great! Getting re-tweeted is always welcome. However, Sam – The Social Media Expert neglected to post my Blog link with an @Mention. Instead, his tweet read –
Sam: Facebook might be killing “high design“. But high design needs to be more useful. [Their own URL shortener linked to my Blog post]
As a fellow media narcissist – I called Sam on his @Non-mention via Twitter. A few hours pass, I get an @Mention Reply.
Sam @nothingGrinder let’s confirm the post. Which one?
1 minute later…Sam @nothingGrinder ah I see. The facebook/design post. I linked to your post yet you are upset that I didn’t call your name our via Twitter?
My reply: @Sam I wouldn’t go as far as saying that I am upset but give credit where credit is due. http://ngn.bz/ce <— I added this link in hopes that he might have gone. “Oh sorry, here is the Blog Post by @nothingGrinder [link]
Instead, I get a string of @Replies 20 minutes later…
Q: Sam @nothingGrinder so, how did I not give credit–by linking to your site and driving traffic to it?
A: I only asked for a mention.Q:. Sam @nothingGrinder tell me what you would have done.
A: I would have mentioned the author.Q: Sam @nothingGrinder but I didn’t see the original tweet. The link came through my email. And I read the article on my iPhone.
A: [I have no idea what this has to do with re-posting a link.]Q: Sam @nothingGrinder why did you assume I saw your tweet?
A: Because you re-posted my link through Twitter.Q: Sam @nothingGrinder life etiquette. Never assume. I never saw your tweet, therefore cannot source it.
A: Research before you post.
This is basically how I operate on Twitter. I tweet what I like, people in my Professional space follow me, I follow them back. Spambots follow and de-follow me based on my #Hashtags. Simple really. I don’t know how my blog got into Sam’s iPhone, but I’m sure that my name was on it. Search Gabriel Ortiz on Twitter I’m the first one. I also explicitly mention us nothingGrinder guys in the Blog post. So, if Sam did read it. Then it wouldn’t be too hard to find me for an @Mention.
I know what you’re thinking, this whole thing is a battle of ego trips. I agree – Although, I’ve had my Tweets hijacked before, I’ve even had links re-tweeted without an @Mention. I expect that from Spambots, but I never expected that from a well established member of the New Media/Advertising community. I am a virtual unknown so I wasn’t considered to be worth an @Mentioning. However, Twitter wasn’t built for that. Everyone here has a podium on which to speak. Something I would assume a Social Media Expert would know about and presumably respect.
I never got that @Mention. I got @Ignored. And since I’ve got a blog that ends up in the iPhone’s of those relevant to my field all over the world. I thought I’d get up on my Podium and rant for a while.
I’m from The Bronx, New York City – Gun Hill. One of the most poverty stricken, drug infested places in NYC. Raised on Welfare by a Single mother. I dropped out of Highschool, got a G.E.D. and still managed to obtain two media Degrees by the age of 24. I then went on to completing a Business residency at Edinburgh University. I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a Bronx Raised High School drop out from the hood who has become a Media Professional living in London. My point is, if anyone should be allowed to have an ego here. It should be me, because I beat the odds. And I very rarely @Mention this about myself… until now. (Me on LinkedIn)
There is a point to all this. I have never desired to work for big brands… until recently. I have been offered work in the past with big companies when I completed my Masters. Instead, I chose to shape my career through working with Small and Medium sized Businesses. I feel that working in this space was a greater test of my character. Anyone can sell Coca Cola to the general public. Anyone can be told what to do without failing. I wanted a real challenge. For instance, I chose to help a small unknown Scottish Music Festival go from an average 800 visitors per festival to exceed the lands capacity of 3,000 people within two events. To me, that is real acheivement. The result is making a difference. Which may not get me international fame, but it definitely makes me feel like I’ve made that difference. Which is why we’re building the nothingGrinder. Social Media and the internet revolution give Small Businesses a chance in a corporate dominant world. If you’re a small company or an unknown in the industry-get on Social Media, write about what you’re doing and read about what others are doing. Use Twitter to broadcast this information to a widen audience and find people who can relate or contribute to what you’re doing – but of course, don’t forget to @Mention the source. Viva la Web.
