Is Jim Kukral Killing Twitter?
Thanks for visiting the Affiliate Tip blog. Subscribe to my RSS feed or enter your e-mail on the top left to get updates by e-mail.
I’ve been immersed in the Twitter culture for quite some time, and I really enjoy the brief exchanges there with friends and colleagues.
I think it is a dynamic environment that is part conversation and part networking tool. There are no rules, but I’d say there are some unwritten rules, like don’t be overtly promotional.
Recently, Jim Kukral launched a “game” called Twitter Me This, which I thought was against the spirit of Twitter, but figured maybe I was being overprotective of the vibe at Twitter.
I noticed some Tweets from Sam Harrelson that criticized Twitter Me This, and then Jim posted a video response.
Sam responded in kind with video on Cost Per News. And I figured I’d share my thoughts on the Kurkalization of Twitter.
Long story short – Twitter asks, “What are you doing?,” not “How can you push the limits me annoying marketing schemes and experiments”?
Then again, I don’t think Jim was ever really one of us over there in Twitter. Not so long ago, he said he was quitting Twitter.
I think you’re a great guy, Jim, but I liked you better when you were a Twitter quitter.
- Posted in Affiliate Opinions
25 Comments
-
On April 14 @ 11:32 am posted[...] joins in the debate with a video entitled ‘Death of Twitter by Jim Kukral‘ (in his post Is Jim Kukral Killing Twitter?) Round 6 : Sam Harrelson launches TwatterMeThat, a blog which imitates TwitterMeThis and links to a [...]
-
On April 14 @ 4:12 pm posted
[...] being bullshit” and Sam posted a response and Shawn follows up with a sequence of 3 posts: one, two and three. In between there’s a discussion on TrishaLyn’s blog that Jim might not [...]
-
On June 30 @ 3:56 pm posted
[...] being bullshit” and Sam posted a response and Shawn follows up with a sequence of 3 posts: one, two and three. In between there’s a discussion on TrishaLyn’s blog that Jim might not [...]
Really? I don’t see it’s any different than what Ze Frank’s doing. Is he “killing” Twitter, too?
reply to this commentI wouldn’t equate Ze’s Color Wars to Jim essentially paying people to follow him.
reply to this commentI’ve followed every question and even won once and I’ve never saw anything that even resembled an advertisement. I still have no idea how he’s making money on it.
Anyway, assuming that he’ll start to post questions via the blog rather than directly through twitter, is that any different than the rest of the people tweeting their blog links?
reply to this commentI think it is different, as people sharing posts aren’t trying to pay people to join a list – the purpose of which has not been disclosed.
reply to this commentShawn, I think it’s great that you’re getting us to think about these issues.
But even if there were no prize money, people would still play. Would Jim do it if there were no prize money? That depends on what his ultimate goal is for it. Unless there is some kind of bait-and-switch at the end of the road, I don’t have any problem with what he’s doing.
Auto-follow bots and spammers and stupid crap like that are more of a threat to Twitter than what Jim’s doing.
reply to this commentHey Shawn, I really don’t see a problem with what Jim is doing. Twitter is easy opt-in and opt-out. If I don’t want to see the questions, I can opt-out. If I do, then what’s wrong with winning money? He’s not spamming and he’s adding a little fun and trivia to break up the day. It’s not that far removed from what Gary Vee is doing when he sends out a tweet and link to check out his new video, which he’s monetizing with links to buy wine from his store.
reply to this commentI think it’s very different from Gary V, as Gary is providing quality content with no incentives.
reply to this commentI think Jim is providing quality content as well, even if it’s in the form of a game. And Gary also created SantaGary, which people opt-in to get things for free. Since Jim disclosed that there is a cash prize, I don’t have a problem with it. If people don’t want it then the market can decide and he’ll have no followers.
reply to this commentJim is a veteran online marketer, web-entrepreneur, speaker and award-winning blogger who focuses on creative marketing ideas
reply to this comment> Since Jim disclosed that there is a cash prize, I don’t have a problem with it.
I really can’t imagine people would follow the account otherwise.
reply to this commentHey Shawn! Agree with you on this… I follow people to share a moment in their life, to learn, laugh, & be inspired. Don’t need to be sold with messaging on Twitter! Enough other places in the day for that ;~)
reply to this comment>I really can’t imagine people would follow the account otherwise.
Now here is where I see a benefit to the follower, and I’ll use the SantaGary example I made before. You can follow Twittermethis just for the fun questions and not play for money. I’ve never responded with an answer and I really don’t care about the money, I like the trivia. Whereas there is no value in following SantaGary other than getting free merchandize. You know, looking at it that way I’d say SantaGary is killing twitter much more than Jim Kukral.
reply to this comment> You know, looking at it that way I’d say SantaGary is killing twitter much more than Jim Kukral.
I couldn’t disagree more there.
Gary is fostering a whole, contagious experience and community with his tie in to Flickr and video.
reply to this comment> Gary is fostering a whole, contagious experience and community with his tie in to Flickr and video.
But that’s not the point. I love Gary, but he created SantaGary so people could follow to get stuff for free, to build an opt-in list. You need to be a part of his other Twitter profile to be a part of the contagious community, so he’s not adding value other than the chance for free stuff with that twitter profile. Jim created Twittermethis to give you the chance to win a fin, plus the added value of a trivia game in which you have no obligation to compete in.
reply to this comment> he’s not adding value other than the chance for free stuff with that twitter profile
He’s cultivating a community within the whole SantaGary thing wih the tagging in Viddler and Flickr.
I see Gary’s effort as an expansion of Twitter to photo and video.
Not just cash for names like Jim is doing.
reply to this comment> Not just cash for names like Jim is doing.
And the added value of a no obligation trivia game with the opportunity to win cash. It’s a like a free lottery ticket that teaches you something. That fact that it’s a stand-alone within Twitter isn’t an issue. Not everyone uses twitter the same way or wants too expand to other community networks. Facts are, it’s adding value, informative, entertaining, and user friendly since Twitter allows you to opt-out if you don’t find it useful or fun.
reply to this comment> Facts are…
I think we need to agree to disagree. And those are opinions.
Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should.
I still think it’s a bastardization of Twitter.
reply to this commentshut up you cry baby, the world and twitter are big enough for you to mind your own business!
reply to this comment“fred” -
Welcome back – it’s been a couple weeks since your last anonymous, ad hominem attack.
reply to this commentNot a problem. I’m still a fan of Affiliate Thing.
Personally I think you and Jim are in cahoots
reply to this commentPeople can disagree Mike, it happens. At least Shawn hasn’t taken it as far as others yet. Sigh.
reply to this commenthow come no one mentioned the most startling thing in this exchange?
that sam has taken a chainsaw to his face and got rid of the stubble/beard/man-hairs?
reply to this comment