IT'S BROKEN - why? really, why?

Two annoying things about blogs and social media

nospam@example.com (Adriana Beal) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:10:04 -0500

1) Not the right time to ask

I've already complained about sites that ask users to sign up before they can do anything, and mentioned how gradual engagement is a much better approach to attract readers and customers. Now I'm noticing more and more blogs displaying the following invitation at the top of their pages:

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

If I'm a new visitor, don't you think I will want first to take a look around to see if I like what you have to offer, before subscribing? If the invitation was placed on a sidebar or at the bottom of the page, instead of interrupting the flow of the article, I would be would be much more tempted to subscribe, after confirming that your content is relevant to me. Apparently the strategy works, as more and more bloggers are using it to bring in new subscribers. Well, spam messages also work (there is always a percentage of people who will fall for it), but it doesn't mean you would need to follow their lead. There are nicer ways to increase your subscriber base.

2) Not the right way to ask

Adriana,

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

If you are a complete stranger interested in growing YOUR network, please take the time to write a customized message to introduce yourself. I can assure you that will substantially increase the probability of your invitation being accepted.

What are your pet peeves in Web 2.0?

(Photo by ankel wart)

What's wrong with text?

nospam@example.com (Adriana Beal) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:20:37 -0500

Perhaps it's just my own bias toward the written word, but what's the point in making a video of yourself sitting behind a desk and reciting a list of recommended books?

I recently saw a blog post that was supposed to be about book reviews, and the author chose to film himself talking about the books instead. Wouldn't it be much easier for the audience to read the reviews, which could then include links to Amazon along with the book names?

Photo by paulbence

More and more frequently when someone posts a link to content that seems interesting to me, it's a webinar. I have nothing against video conferences, but I miss reading written articles, which I can fit much more easily into my working hours. I simply don't have time to watch most webinars, and will join one occasionally, only to think, "I could have obtained the same information from a blog post, much faster".

If you are offering a webinar, consider providing as an alternative a short PDF for downloading. Some people still prefer to read, and will be more likely to consume a short text than sit through a long presentation of doubtful value.

nospam@example.com (Adriana Beal) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:32:53 -0500

This picture shows the garbage containers of a residential apartment building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Taking into account the number of household items that are considered recyclable (newspaper, magazines, junk mail, phone books, scrap paper, cardboard, glass, plastics with a 1 - 7 inside the recycle arrow, milk cartons, juice boxes, detergent refill containers, aluminum cans, tin cans, steel cans, bi-metal cans and metal lids), is it a surprise to anyone that the normal garbage container, to the left, remains practically empty, while the much smaller recycling bin is always in a state of overflow?