The 5 Levels of Competitiveness in Social Media
Originally published on Social Impressions
As you become increasingly active in social
media, you will find a wide variety of competitiveness across the
board. Some want to be regarded as A-list bloggers, to reach a top
status on social bookmarking sites, and to have the most number of
friends on Facebook. While some can maintain genuine relationships with
people, others see them as part of their massive network. Competition
is usually healthy, depending on the amount of competitiveness involved.
Although there are many gray areas between each level, I have
observed roughly five main levels of social media competitiveness and
involvement.
Lurker
Lurkers exist online; they just aren’t visible. These people don’t
actually participate. They quietly watch the activity on their favorite
sites. They may identify core sites and users that they admire or enjoy
and follow them religiously. Even the most offensive of posts won’t
incite a comment from them. Although these lurkers might sign up for an
account on a social site, they are usually the users without an avatar.
Their activity on these sites is minimal, and their contribution is
non-existent.
Dabbler
Dabblers are active in social media just for the fun of it. They
don’t care if anyone knows them and only interact with a minimal number
of users. They go to Facebook to connect with real life friends and go
to social news sites to vote on stories that intrigue them. They will
only tag stories for personal use. These users are usually those who
use social media sites, but don’t realize how much they can grow within
them. Dabblers make up the bulk of social media users. They are
absolutely oblivious to the various tools, applications, and help
forums that are available for the sites they are active on.
Part-timer
Part-timers have a few accounts that they are active on. They
subscribe to their favorite blogs and make sure to check them out when
a new post has been published. They participate when they have the time
to, but real life intrigues them much more. A part-timer will assist
others when needed but isn’t always accessible online. Part-timers are
the users who will submit their blog to Digg and wonder why they only
got two votes; these users still have a limited understanding of how to
best use these sites.
Hard-core user
This person is invested in social media and usually spends a few
hours a day participating in the space. They are involved on many
channels and are major contributors to the community. They want to
share knowledge and add value. These people typically interact with
anyone in the space, regardless of their level. They believe that the
exchange that they have with various users is fulfilling. Although
these hard-core users are extremely driven and would like to have top
user status, they will avoid taking advantage of other users to get
there. Due to their high involvement, these users will install and rely
on user-scripts and alerters to simplify their online experience.
Pro
While not all Pros are uber competitive, most uber competitive users
make it to the Pro level. They will duplicate a submission if it means
it will increase their popularity rankings. They enjoy the attention
they get from being on the top of the totem pole and will continue to
invest time, effort and money into building it. They constantly check
their statistics to ensure that they are still ranking very high.
Immersed in the social media world, the pros are usually the first to
know about breaking news stories and technology innovations. They are
privy to technology short cuts and will utilize them to assist in
maintaining their status. They have a wealth of knowledge about the
various spaces and will only share it with those who have proven their
worth. However, trade secrets are only shared with their tight circle
of top users.
Editor’s Pick by Arianne of To Think Is To Create: I love to read women talking tech, since they are few and far between, and almost always have unique and interesting perspectives on the industry. Reem Abeidoh is no different, and her blog Social Impressions consistently offers up posts that will satisfy your web 2.0 palate. Go here to read the comments on this post and take a poll to see where you fare among the levels described above, and go here to subscribe to Social Impressions.
Editor
Arianne To Think Is To Create
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July 8th, 2008
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Category:
Author- Social Impressions, Channel- Tech & MetaBlogging, Editor- Arianne To Think is To Create, Microblogging, Social Networking, Social Media, Web 2.0, Web/Tech, Women in Tech, blogging
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This article totally caught my eye, and then I saw that my sister picked it out, SO funny! I’m an in-betweener, in between the dabbler and part-timer!
I’m trying to figure out where I fall. Somewhere between part-timer and hard-core I think. Probably closer to part-timer but I know better than to submit myself to Digg!
Great post!
Totally part-timer here. I am working in changing that but life seems to get in the way.
“Hard-core user”. That fits in *so* many ways.
I’m a part-timer (and having a blast being one!).
I enjoyed reading this and found it thru your twitter page. I am in between part timer and hard core user. Still trying to figure out some sites and need to join a couple more.
A very interesting analysis. I am certainly not a pure type, but I see elements of the three middle groups in my own New Media usage. (aaaaand — YIKES)
*Raises hand* Hard-corer here. Oh, yeah. You described me to a T! Are you in my head, woman!?
Jane
*Raises hand* Another part-timer here!
This is a very interesting article. I think I’d fall into the hard-core category.
- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
What I am and what I wish I were are too very different things, I am sad to admit. Great article!
I’m a part-timer I guess. I feel technologically challenged when it comes to knowing what to do to move up a level. Shoot, I can’t even figure out how to get a video uploaded to Youtube and then onto my blog. Maybe that knocks me down a notch or two.
Hi everyone, I am so glad you enjoyed my post! I think I would say that I am a hard-core user.
I went from Lurker to Hard-Core in about 6 months. I think that’s where I’ll stop. I love your line about not taking advantage of other users–it’s the thing I treasure most about the bloggers I read regularly.
I guess I didn’t realize that I needed to settle into a level on the grand pyramid of blog life…I’d say reality is Part-timer-becoming-Hard-core, fantasy is Pro
Good list! I consider myself a hard-core user (almost by accident) and just in the point where I ask myself how much of my life am I gonna spend in each the virtual and phisical world.
What keeps me getting deeper involved is the hope that along with other users we can create a quality web 2.0 in spanish…that’s why i still blog in this language.
I really like your blog and I hope to find great content here to share with my spanish speaking readers.
hi there!
xxoxo
I made with photoshop animated myspace pictures.
take a look at them:
http://tinyurl.com/5mshpq
Thank you for your website