Social Networking Niche

This is going to sound pretty lame but I have to admit I’m a little saddened by the fact that I don’t have a lot of Twitter followers and Blogger readers and Facebook friends.  I know a big part of that is because I don’t actively follow people myself, read many other people’s blogs or even pursue Facebook friendships.  In fact, the only reason why I have signed on to these websites is for networking purposes.  I created a Facebook account a couple of months before I went to college in hopes I could get to know a few people from there so I wouldn't be so alone by the time I arrived.  And as much as I think Twitter is idiotic, I signed up for it just so I could follow my favorite band, Showbread, and also so I could keep people up to date on the status of my book (which will probably never be written).  Although I had an online diary for years, the community was quite small so I created this Blogger to hopefully gain more exposure.  How am I going to sell books or get my name out there unless I pimp myself out on these social networking sites?  No one is going to know my “talent” if they don’t know me.  And while I did sign up for these sites with the intent to network with other writers and artists, etc., I haven’t really done that.  I’ve signed up but haven’t sought out anyone.  And I’m almost afraid to because I don’t want to look desperate.  Like, “Hey!  You seem cool!  Check out my site and tell me what you think! KThanksBye!”  I know people like that and it’s irritating.  I suppose I just always hope that while I quietly write my blogs and work on my book, someone will stumble upon me and take notice and like what I do without me shoving it in their face.   

But, even if I was trying to display my goodies to the masses, I’m also afraid I don’t have much to show off.  I look at other people’s blogs and other people’s Twitters and sometimes I get jealous.  Their followers really interact with them, really seem to care about what they have to say.  And these people always have interesting things to say!  And I get a little bummed out because I realize that I don’t.  And I’ve noticed that some of these websites really cater to certain personality types.  It’s almost as if every new trendy site that pops up seems to grab a hold of a certain demographic.  I’ve broken it down for your convenience.

Myspace:  While Myspace was once a great place to not only make friends, but to display your own individual personality, over the years it has become messy and obnoxious.  Competing with Facebook and it’s constant need to “improve” upon things that were fine in the first place has made way for unnecessary games and gadgets.  What once was a legitimate way to make and keep track of friends has now become a competition to see whose friend number is the largest.  That, coupled with the fact that scenesters and skanks have taken over the site, has made it less than appealing.  I’d say Myspace is now better suited for musicians and scene kids.  Know how to fiddle with Garageband enough to make a semi-catchy song and auto-tune the crap out of your voice?  Do you like whoring yourself out?  Do you have stick straight black hair and like to take your pictures in front of a dirty mirror in your bathroom with your toiletries and toilet paper on full display?  Then Myspace is for you.

Twitter:  Twitter seems good if you want to follow celebrities.  They like to keep you updated on their tour dates or new movie releases.  And sometimes you can even get a more human side of them when they talk about things regular people talk about, like a funny joke they heard or being tired at the end of the day.  Because Twitter is only good for keeping people updated on the most mundane things, it’s best for celebrities because no one cares about your trip to Cold Stone Creamery unless your Taylor Swift.

Dailybooth:  If you aren’t pretty or an excellent photographer, it’s best you skip Dailybooth.  So many people use that site that if you aren’t good looking, no one is going to follow you.  If you don’t take interesting pictures, no one is going to care.  Because my weight fluctuates so much, I always looking different.  I started Dailybooth to track my weight loss and to just see how my face changes over time.  Growing a beard and then shaving it off would be interesting to see, or at least I think so.  If I ever got braces, Dailybooth would be a cool way to see the changes.  And for some people, that’s what Dailybooth is about:  chronicling changes.  For others, it’s a vanity contest.  Some people revel in the attention their looks bring them.  And people flock to their photos.  It’s also a great way to show off your photography, as I’ve seen some really beautiful pictures on that site.  And for whatever reason you joined the site, if you don’t have washboard abs, big boobs and really good lighting, you’ll be lost among the other average looking people.

Blogger (And other online blog/diary sites):  I think plain and simple, you have to be either a really good writer or say really outrageous things (not necessarily bad outrageous) to get people’s attention.  If you’re big on reporting about pop culture, people will read you.  If you relate your sexual relationships to the public, people will read you.  If you write really good fiction, people will read you.  If you are always getting into trouble or finding yourself in embarrassing situations, people will read you.  If you're an emo kid that writes blood-stained poetry about your fifteen-year-old girlfriend that doesn't want to be with you because you don't have your lip pierced, then GTFO because no one cares.  And obviously I'm not saying that what anyone has to say doesn't matter because it does.  Everyone has a voice and everyone deserves to be heard but most people can't be bothered unless they are first entertained.

YouTube:  Once again, it comes down to saying outrageous things.  You have to be beautiful, outspoken, a comedian, a singer, or gay.  If you’re none of those things, you’ll get lost in the other numerous forgettable videos. 

Facebook:  This one was pretty tough for me.  I can’t think of a specific niche for Facebook and if anyone else can, please help me out.  Facebook seems to be just about the only neutral place left that doesn’t necessarily cater to one particular group.

Once again, know I’m partly responsible for my lack of a following but I just don’t want to be lame about being known.  I can’t help but to think of Heidi Montag and all the stupid things she’s done to get attention, like bringing to dry shampoo with her during an interview and spritzing it in her hair like it was the most natural thing in the world or showing up to a movie premiere with a copy of Playboy with her surgically enhanced...well, everything, on the cover.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with promoting yourself.  Someone has to, right?  I guess there’s just a line between doing it legitimately and doing it shamelessly.  For example, if I were to go to your website or blog and you have links to your other social networking sites, that would be great.  I came to you.  So, if you’re offering more bits of you, then that’s fine, I'll probably check them out.  But, when you come to me, enter my territory and push your property in my face in a sad attempt to up your viewership, then that’s not okay.  Because I don't want to be a Branny Montag, until I can figure out a way to respectably promote myself, I’ll just keep doing my thing on the down low. 

Really, what all these social networking sites come down to is if you are an interesting person or not.  Whether you’re artistic or outspoken, if you have something interesting to say, sing, write or draw, people will come.  And I suppose I don’t feel I’m that interesting.  I’m just a dead dude who laments on the state of my everyday decay.  It might be slightly out of the norm, as I don’t know of any other dead bloggers, but I suppose it’s not all that captivating.  If anything, I’m just another faceless twenty-something who doesn’t stand out in any way.  I’m mediocre at best.  I'm not particularly funny or thoughtful.  I just complain a lot.

And that worries me when it comes to my writing.  If I were to ever decide to take it super cereal enough to want to make a living out of it, it brings up a lot of fear for me.  I think I don't pursue networking and don't pursue writing as a career because of the fear of rejection.  That fear really held me back when I was alive and it's still eating away at me now.  I just think about my life and realize I have  nothing interesting to draw upon.  I have quite a few acquaintances with more memorable moments than I do.  They should be the writers.  I have nothing interesting to share.  My life has mostly been boring and that isn't so much a complaint as it is an observation.  It's just the way things are and that's fine but it's not going to help me write a best-seller.  And I'm not creative enough to write fiction, so where does that leave me writing wise?

I don't know.  Maybe I shouldn't be too hard on myself.  Perhaps I've inadvertently created my own niche for my readers.  They always say there's an audience for everyone.  So, if you're a necro-loving insomniac, hit me up.  I think I can help you out.