The Jeff Pulver Blog: Leveraging Real-Time Social Communications

« BlogDay 2007 Blog-Tag Update: | Main | Next Show on pulverTV: Friday August 10th - 2pm EDT / 11 AM PDT / 2000 CET »

August 08, 2007

Leveraging Real-Time Social Communications

In using the status function of Facebook and twitter, I am seeing a reflection of a past Internet experience.

Internet Relay Chat (“IRC”) was the first platform I used on the Internet to chat with people, mostly whom were strangers to me. One feature that I liked about IRC was once I entered a room, by default had the opportunity to “shout out” to the entire room as well as send a direct a message to an individual.

As Internet based Instant Messaging networks evolved, the default feature shifted to one-to-one communication with people whom I was friendly with (a Buddy, not a stranger) and I no longer had an easy way to send a group message to everyone on my buddy list.

And this is the way it has been for me, and many others until recently.

There is a transformation going on in real-time social communications, and I’ve discovered that I can now get the same effect as a group “shout out” by simply changing my status message on Facebook. This also happens when using Twitter. This is yet another thing which is just not possible to do on LinkedIN – unless you plan on sending what may appear to be email spam to everyone in your LinkedIN contact list.

Case in point: yesterday afternoon, I was in a meeting working on the name for a new startup and I needed to find someone who knew Latin. I posted my request on both Twitter and by updating my status message on Facebook. Within fifteen minutes, I received three messages from friends on Facebook with offers to help and four messages from friends on twitter. The end result was I was able to get my question answered. And what I realized is I once again could do a global “shout out” to my friends…and they could communicate directly back to me.

As social media continues to evolve with features and functionality expanding and growing, one thing I enjoy looking for are the unintended (positive) consequences of leveraging one technology to get a result not anticipated by the creators of the platform. This isn’t about putting one platform vs. another. It’s more like trying things out and finding out what works best for YOU.

Tags: twitter, Facebook, Social Media, twitter, Jeff Pulver

Posted by jeff on August 8, 2007 12:55 PM | Permalink

Additional resources: #140conf events | Watch the Jeff Pulver Show | Jeff's Qik Videos

Comments

Very good publish. I simply came across your site as well as desired to state which i possess truly loved reading through your site articles. In whatever way I’ll end up being signing up for your give food to as well as I really hope a person publish once again quickly.

Posted by: ugg boots uk at November 23, 2011 02:43 AM

good webiste
this winter can not miss ralph lauren again
follow me come on

Posted by: Ralph Lauren sweater at October 24, 2011 01:04 PM

This really answered my problem, thank you!
new era hats
http://www.hats-world.com
wholesale new era hats
http://www.wholesale-cheap-newerahats.com/

Posted by: wholesale new era hats at October 12, 2011 03:26 AM

Winter belongs Canada, because there has Canada Goose http://www.jacketbrands.org
If you like ugg boots, yeah,I just said http://www.sizetime.org ugg boots on sales.
Michael jordan is my hero. I like the http://www.cheapjordanbrands.com cheap jordans shoes.
Red cheap mocler jacket http://www.cheapest-moncler.com wrote out my heart in of enthusiasm.
In winter, on the snow ground, wear the cheap timberland boots http://www.cheapesttimberlands.com heartily play.
Yes. Also , there are firends who wear cheap supra shoes http://www.cheapsupras.org . Because it's really very nice, and very cheap.
Wow, shoes! This is a shoes store. Sales cheap nike shoes http://www.wowshoes.org, cheap jordans http://www.wowshoes.org/Cheap-cheap-jordans_c69, nike air max http://www.wowshoes.org/Cheap-nike-air-max_c1,nike shox shoes http://www.wowshoes.org/Cheap-nike-shox_c110, nike dunk high heels http://www.wowshoes.org/Cheap-womens-nike-sb-dunk-high-heels_c309, asics onitsuka tiger http://www.wowshoes.org/Cheap-mens-asics-shoes_c270, mbt shoes http://www.wowshoes.org/Cheap-mbt-shoes_c181, cheap ugg boots http://www.wowshoes.org/Cheap-ugg-australia-boots_c302, Christian Louboutin Boots http://www.wowshoes.org/Cheap-christian-louboutin-boots_c244. All kinds of sports shoes, fashion shoes.
Save 20-70% On Cheap womens,mens and kids cheap jordans,nike dunk heals,cheap adidas shoes,cheap mbt shoes,cheap asics shoes,cheap ugg boots,nike shox,nike air force 1,nike air max with Free Shipping at http://www.cheaponshoes.com cheaponshoes.com.
sales discount louboutin 2011 new style and louboutin pumps http://www.christianlouboutinclstore.com , christian louboutin designner louboutin shoes, louboutin men sneakers. free shipping and Tax-free.
Yes this christian louboutin store http://www.bestheel.com sales Christian Louboutin Shoes.

Posted by: Cheap Canada Goose at October 10, 2011 12:20 AM

The mortgage loans are useful for guys, which want to ground their organization. In fact, that's not really hard to receive a short term loan.

Posted by: mortgage loans at October 4, 2011 04:02 PM

I like these things, every time I see a little bit excited, especially
NCAA jerseys wholesale

Posted by: 2011jerseysstore.com at September 23, 2011 12:16 AM

http://www.buy-shoes-bag.com
http://www.wholesalecheapsunglasses.com

Posted by: cheap nike shoes at September 3, 2011 02:44 AM

http://www.uggfromau.com
GG boots are one of the most fashion product in the world. It gives us charm as well as warm in the cold winter. Have you thinking about how does ugg brand achieve this? The key point is the design, no matter UGG boots or UGG handbags.
Ugg boots are made from sheepskins with fleece attached,ugg. The fleece is tanned into the leather and the boot is assembled with the fleece on the inside. The soles of the boots are made from rubber, and the stitching is often prominent on the outside of the boot. The fleece draws away moisture, keeping the feet dry and at body temperature. Today they come in a variety of colours, including black uggs, pink uggs, blue uggs, chestnut ugg boots, and fuchsia.They are available in both slip-on and UGG Classic Tall Lace Up varieties and their height can range from just ugg mini to tall uggs.
Ugg boots often have a synthetic sole, although this is not universal. They are available in a range of different colours as both slip-on and UGG Lace Up varieties, and they are produced by a number of manufacturers. The natural insulative properties of sheepskin gives thermostatic properties to the boots: the thick fleecy fibers on the inner part of the boots allow air to circulate and keep the feet at body temperature. This means that ugg boots can be worn without socks even in relatively cold weather.
Some variations of UGG style boots have also been made from kangaroo fur and leather. There are also synthetic boots. Although derided as “fake” by some in the industry, their lower price made them appealing to large retail chains such as Myer.

Posted by: linda_chi at August 12, 2011 02:33 AM

If I could take your troubles

　　I would toss them into the sea

　　But all these things I’m finding

　　Are impossible for me.

　　I cannot build a mountain

　　Or catch a rainbow fair

　　But let me be what I know best

　　A friend that’s always there.

Posted by: jerseys58 at August 4, 2011 03:04 AM

Some specialists tell that personal loans help a lot of people to live the way they want, just because they can feel free to buy necessary things. Furthermore, different banks offer secured loan for different persons.

Posted by: mortgage loans at July 14, 2011 01:08 AM

http://www.thethomasonline.com/
http://www.thethomasonline.com/thomas-sabo-bracelet-c-3.html
http://www.thethomasonline.com/thomas-sabo-charms-c-1.html
http://www.thethomasonline.com/thomas-sabo-necklace-c-2.html
http://www.thethomasonline.com/thomas-sabo-rings-c-8.html

Posted by: thomas sabo australia at March 9, 2011 11:58 PM

this is an excellent website and i like it very much.

Posted by: UGG UK at January 15, 2011 02:29 AM

this is an excellent website and i like it very much.

Posted by: UGG UK at January 15, 2011 02:27 AM

this is a very good website,and i also want to recommend an excellent website to you.

Posted by: ugg boots at December 27, 2010 12:46 AM

Posted by: ugg boots anna at October 28, 2010 09:36 PM

By that metre, news show governing body* testament follow realising earnest revenue from swiss replica watches subscriber dollars. But they’d better not get comfortable. Media revenues will soar, but replica watches “established media organizations will need to reinvent themselves to participate in that growth.”

Posted by: replica watches at September 24, 2010 01:07 AM

شات سعودي خليجي
شات
شات الخليج
الشات الخليجي
شات روعه

Posted by: شات الخليج at August 27, 2010 07:34 PM

شات سعودي خليجي
شات
شات الخليج
الشات الخليجي
شات روعه

Posted by: شات الخليج at August 27, 2010 07:33 PM

tall[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-bailey-button-grey-5803-boots-p-

6313.html]grey UGG Bailey Button[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-bailey-button-c-378.html]Bailey

Button[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-bailey-button-chestnut-5803-boots-p-

6311.html]Chestnut ugg Button[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-bailey-button-chocolate-5803-boots-p-

6312.html]UGG Chocolate Bailey Button[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-classic-cardy-black-5819-boots-p-

6322.html]grey ugg cardy[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-sundance-c-394.html]UGG Sundance[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-nightfall-c-392.html]UGG Nightfall

[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-ultra-tall-c-396.html]UGG Ultra Tall

[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-classic-tall-c-383.html]Tall Uggs

[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-classic-mini-c-381.html]Ugg Mini[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-bailey-button-5803-leopard-print-

boots-p-6315.html]Leopard Print uggs[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/ugg-bailey-button-5803-leopard-print-

boots-p-6315.html]Leopard Print ugg boots[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/]ugg on sale[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/]ugg for women[/url]
[url=http://www.gbpugg.co.uk/]baby uggs[/url]

Posted by: jiner at October 12, 2009 08:51 PM

Posted by: luxury watches at October 12, 2009 01:03 AM

www.replicaseller.com As a professional replica watch dealer we are 100% committed to your satisfaction. http://www.replicaseller.com/
http://www.replicaseller.com/panerai-replica-watches.html
http://www.replicaseller.com/omega-replica-watches.html
http://www.replicaseller.com/rolex-replica-watches.html
http://www.replicaseller.com/montblanc/
http://www.replicaseller.com/breitling/
http://www.replicaseller.com/tagheuer/
http://www.replicaseller.com/rolex/

Posted by: replica watches at September 21, 2009 04:52 AM

Posted by: replica watches at September 21, 2009 04:51 AM

Hi Jeff:

Love the insight and I too had a similar experience. One of our clients is looking to purchase a Smart Car for a promotion and I used my Twitter account to reach out to my network to see if anyone could assist me. It is truly an exciting time and experimentation is the key to unlocking the vast potential of Social Communications.

George

http://www.strategisadv.com

Posted by: George H. Irish III at March 11, 2009 07:37 AM

Hi Jeff,

I've used twitter on one occasion in the past to respond to a friends' questions on LinkedIn and understand what you're referring to.

However, as Justin says, one of the challenges is the time sensitivity on messages sent via twitter and not all my friends are monitoring twitter 24/7. Another challenge is the quality of expertise that you're seeking and how many of your connections can provide an answer within any given category.

For quality of expertise, I'd definitely recommend a service like LinkedIn Answers, since it allows you to broadcast a question within the category you're asking the question in as well as to a select number of your connections, rather than spam everyone within your network. I recently posed a question on marketing that received almost 50 high-quality answers in a week (http://tinyurl.com/253jts). Also, here's another LinkedIn Answers thread on differences among LI users' social networking practices: http://tinyurl.com/ytmdlx (Disclosure: I work at LinkedIn, & would love to talk to anyone about questions they may have on using the site effectively)

Mario from LinkedIn
msundar@linkedin.com

Posted by: Mario Sundar at August 16, 2007 05:09 PM

Hi Jeff,

I've used twitter in the past and I've actually helped Steve Rubel and David Berkowitz address specific questions about LinkedIn through that medium. However, this morning I sent a shout-out asking who's attending this weekend's BarCamp and I didn't get a single response :(

I think what's equally important is the quality of expertise or responses you're likely to receive. Not always does my immediate network have the range of expertise I may be looking for. But more questionable is how many of my friends are monitoring twitter feeds 24/7, while at work, and as Justin mentions "Twitter is only as useful as who's reading RIGHT NOW."

(Disclosure: I'm LinkedIn's community evangelist) So, if you're looking for specific, targeted expertise on any professional category, as you probably know LinkedIn Answers allows you to selectively send out messages either to your immediate professional network or broadcast questions to a targeted category, without spamming users. Just FYI.

Posted by: Mario Sundar at August 15, 2007 10:55 PM

Ah... the good old IRC, it's like a Virtual Cheers and when you enter the room (or change your Status from @Work to @Home) everybody shouts "Norm!" :)

I still hang around a specific channel, some of my best friends in life are there, even though we seldom meet in RL, they are somewhat more involved with what's going on with me than my "Non-Virtual" friends.

Posted by: Hagai Jacobson at August 9, 2007 01:51 AM

i totally agree.
"ShoutCasting" to your friends is revolutionary.
it allows great freedom, and change some basic premises of how we can communicate inside a social circle.

Have you ever been with someone, when he has something dramatic to share?
I remember when I lived with my brother, how we talked on the phone when he had something dramatic to share (broke up with someone, lost/made money, got in a fight with the landlord, that sort of thing), each friend that called him, he'd go over the whole story again. Some sentences he used worked well, so he kept using them in the later conversations, the rest, he rephrased each time until it was perfect. I asked him why does he do it, and he told me "otherwise, it's so !@#$ repetitious". you don't have the same emotional drive when u have to express yourself over and over again (some singers grow to hate their most popular songs for that reason).

Shoutcasting status messages eliminates this. After all, why should we have to talk to our friends in different times and locations? It's just a bug in how we cope with time and space. We physically can't speak at several places at once, so we don't do it. Radio and television brought it a long time ago, but only for a 'selected few', and u usually had to leave the house in order to broadcast.
Conference calls have been with us for years, but for some reason, even today, via a handheld device, they're not so reachable to us (well I don't have an iPhone ). We do it when we have to, for work or other reasons, but most people rarely do it just for kicks.

We are much more easier to track and spy on now, of course, but even without paranoid(?) thoughts of lurking terrorists and child molesters, wrong people can be exposed to information at any given moment. Even from within our social circles. You don't always want all your friends and colleagues to know about the same fact at the same time. sometimes you just don't want them to know that you are online. you can use sorts of filtering techniques, I guess, but it requires high maintenance, which kinda goes against the whole idea of instantness and togetherness.

So while we evolve socially and gain these communication superpowers, our overall social filtering, is getting somewhat weakened (if not 'gone out the window all together').
Usually, in evolution, the traits that get dropped down the generation line, are discarded because they have outlived their usefulness. But then again, sometimes a vital thing is lost along the way. That's how species perish.

(Oops, that's kinda long for a comment, isn't it? sorry for getting carried away. I do that sometimes... :)

Posted by: Robot55 at August 8, 2007 10:26 PM

Spot on, Jeff. I have been using Twitter as a real business tool and am getting real results:

http://www.ckwebb.com/social-networks-and-media/social-communications/

Posted by: Chris Webb at August 8, 2007 09:47 PM

i like it:) the more the merrier

Posted by: yael at August 8, 2007 06:03 PM

When I first used chat rooms on the Web in the 90s, I found them extremely useful for just this type of thing. Often I would saunter through a few chat rooms, mostly on the old WBS system, and quickly get all kinds of help in terms of information, advice and travel tips etc. (come to think of it now, it was so useful that I'm not sure why I stopped using chat rooms entirely - there must have been a reason). But sites like Facebook would only serve this purpose if you have a large and diverse network using the same site, whereas chat rooms provided "instant networks" which could be easily segmented by geography, interest area and so on. In other words, it seems to me that with Facebook there's more work and time involved in building the active online network rather than having an instant resource through which to contact hundreds and thousands of people. So I guess that for people who have these large networks, it works.

Posted by: Stephen Minton at August 8, 2007 05:21 PM

Jeff, I had a similar experience back in May when Twitter and Facebook postings helped me get a new pair of boots while traveling:

http://www.disruptiveconversations.com/2007/05/of_cowboy_boots.html

The ability to post questions to your "network" in a way that is just part of their normal workflow (i.e. it doesn't intrude but is just part of something they already monitor) is a powerful thing.

Thanks for sharing your story. (And now I know why you were looking for someone who spoke Latin! I saw your tweet and FB status change and did wonder *why*.)

Posted by: Dan York at August 8, 2007 02:40 PM

Yes, but keep in mind: Twitter is only as useful as who's reading RIGHT NOW. It's not always an accurate aggregator of the wider POV.

Posted by: Justin Kownacki at August 8, 2007 02:09 PM

"It’s more like trying things out and finding out what works best for YOU" - Now this is starting to be interesting. Telling everybody what is good and what is wrong, takes you to places of strageling.
Sharing with people what is your experience, it is sharing of knowledge and with knowledge comes the power of each one of the readers. And each one of the readers that gain power give you the power back.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Posted by: Yosi Dagan at August 8, 2007 02:09 PM

August 08, 2007

Leveraging Real-Time Social Communications

Comments

Post a comment