That’s what my mum used to tell me when I was little. Whenever myself or one of my siblings would criticise each other, or anyone else for that matter, this would be the response.
But here I relate this comment, not to sibling rivalry, or petty disputes, but to the world of social media and blogging. I have been thinking about this for a while but it was a post by new media lisa which made me realise that others felt the same and how widespread the practice was!
If you have something to say, something useful which will benefit others, then say it, if you don’t, keep your gob shut and just listen!
I have been guilty in the early days of my blog, of rushing to release a news story in the hope of being the first, without adding anything of value to the discussion. These days I try to stop and think about whether I am adding anything of interest to the debate or just regurgitating a story, if the latter, then don’t bother. Sit back, let the news story unfold and wait for a more interesting post to come to mind.
Similarly with micro-blogging tool twitter. I’m at the point now when I am going to stop following some people who tweet every 10 mins with some useful gumf that is of no interest. If you have found a good news story, fine, got a new blog post, ok, even taken a good picture or commenting on the weather, acceptable, but please don’t give me a minute by minute commentary on your day, I don’t care that much!
I tend to tweet maybe once or twice a day when I have something to say, the rest of the time I am busy doing real work!
So there you have it, as new media lisa says, be extraordinary, and as I say, keep it shut unless you have something to say!
Co-incidently, the digital lookout is now on twitter! So if you want an update each time a new post is made, then you can follow me. I promise only to post when I have something to say!