I’m not really active on Twitter. My blogging friends tell me that I have to participate more on Twitter to get my Klout score up. For those of you who aren’t bloggers, Klout is the “hottest” new way to find out who has the most influence online. I really could care less about whether or not Klout thinks I have influence. My primary blog is well read and any pr person worth their salt could figure that out if they took a little initiative.
But that isn’t what I want to talk about tonight. I do want to mention what happened on Twitter. I have a list of people that I listen to. Meaning, I have certain people on Twitter that I enjoy following. Some are food bloggers, some are other mom bloggers, and there are a few that I follow because they make me laugh.
So, tonight when I read a tweet from someone I admire, I tweeted back. It was a nice enough tweet, as far as tweets go. It was encouraging and helpful. Or so I thought, but my tweet was ignored. Now, that wouldn’t normally bug me because Twitter can be crazy and you certainly can’t respond to all of the people who tweet at you. It’s happened to me before too, life gets busy and you can’t respond to everybody.
However, this had to have been the third or fourth tweet I’ve sent to this particular person (not all on the same day) and none of them have been acknowledged. Now to be fair, this blogger has a pretty decent sized blog. I’m sure they get a bazillion tweets a day. I get that it would be impossible to respond to them all, but it doesn’t take the sting away. It also doesn’t help that I’ve been following their blog for quite awhile which has quite possibly given me a false sense of connection to the blogger.
But between you and me, I think it’s more of a status thing. The blogging world is much like a high school cafeteria. Or as my kids could better relate to, some bloggers have stars on their bellies. Did you ever read that classic Dr. Seuss story? The Sneetches that had stars on their bellies were the privleged ones. They wouldn’t converse with the Sneetches without stars.
Sometimes I wish I had a star. Sure, I’ve been doing this for years. And yes, I have my own strong readership. But it doesn’t matter how many page views I have, how many campaigns I’ve participated in, or how many comments I get on each post. Because that isn’t why I write. I love connecting with people. And as much as I’d like to think that I’m worth getting to know, it doesn’t mean that all bloggers will feel the same way.
When I graduated from high school, I thought I left all of this type of stuff behind. The desire to fit in. But I’m not sure if that desire ever goes away. The adult me understands all of this. The child me just wants the damn star for my belly.
 |
I totally get what you’re saying Melanie. A few weeks ago I asked the question, “Do you ever feel like Twitter is a sea of voices and wonder if anyone is listening?” I had one sweet friend tweet back and let me know that she was listening to me.
We all want to fit in but I constantly have to remind myself that there’s only one person whose vote counts and He’s already cast his vote…Jesus. I definitely don’t have that star and I think I’m ok with that. ;o)
Thanks for being so real and sharing from your heart!
Tshanina
Yes!! Sometimes it’s like tweeting into a big black whole. I’m sort of glad we have had similar experiences but sad for the both of us at the same time.
I think you ARE a shining star and thats better than having a star on your belly any day!
You are the sweetest thing ever and I think you need to get a Twitter account.
Is that’s what’s on my belly? A star?
I hope it wasn’t me. Please don’t be me.
Silly girl. Of course it wasn’t you!
OK, someday we’re totally going for tattoos and you are getting a small star on your belly… does bikini line count? I’ll get you drunk if I have to;-)
Could you please hurry up and get back from Florida? I miss you up here.
Now that’s an idea. A little star near my belly button. Won’t that hurt like a son of a biotch? I don’t like pain.
Melanie, as far as I am concerned, you all ready have a star on your belly! I don’t comment often but I do so admire you and your strength since the accident. I thoroughly do enjoy reading your blog and try to never miss one!
Thank you Ginny. That means a lot to me.
Well I haven’t ever gotten over it. I’ve had that happen on facebook. Many will write comments and people only reply to one person or whatever. Sometimes it is a bigger deal and it really stings. I totally get what you are saying.
I hear you Jen. I think we all want to fit in and that feeling never goes away. You’re certainly not alone.
It all comes down to how you treat other people. The Golden Rule: treat other’s the way you want them to treat you. When you get more and more stars Melanie don’t take yourself too seriously! I think you already have this in spades with your self-depreciating humor and genuine compassion for other people. You get my star girl!