Comments on: Words Matter

By: When Talking About What You Allow On Your Community, Don’t Say “Freedom of Speech” » ManagingCommunities.com

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:53:50 +0000

[...] guess the point here is words matter. When talking about your community, don’t say that you allow “freedom of speech.” [...]

By: Sports Legends Challenge, Presented by Absolute Poker, is Engaging in a Despicable Online “Marketing Campaign” Relying on Lies and Spam » Patrick O’Keefe

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:45:05 +0000

[...] want to be really clear when I say that I take the responsibility of my words extremely seriously. Words matter. Writing is what I do, whether it be for books, online publications or forums. If my words are [...]

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:53:24 +0000

Hey Boricua,

Thanks for the comment. :)

That’s a great point! Smilies can work wonders. I use them myself all the time. :)

I appreciate your interest in my book.

Patrick

By: Boricua

Boricua — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:16:33 +0000

You are surely right in my opinion Patrick. Using a simple “Hey”, “Hello”, “Hi” at a start of a post or a reply can prevent many impulsive/defensive reactions from people. Even deciding not to reply with a “thanks” or a “thank you” when giving suggestions to the person who started posting can be understood as “rude” by the person who invested time helping the forum member.

I believe using “smileys faces” can also reduce negative confrontation and the knee-jerk characters appearing. At least prevent many defensive situations. Oh well…live and learn right?

Eager to read your Amazon book.

All the best,
Boricua

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:27:37 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Angela. Well said. :)

By: Angela Connor

Angela Connor — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:45:16 +0000

Hi Patrick: I believe I’m a good writer having produced TV news for years. But as a community manager I have fine tuned it a great deal and it seems that I am now a master of the written word. The kind that reprimands without the person really knowing they’ve been reprimanded. As community managers we really have to examine our words as you mention and truly work to convey specific messages, as general messages oftentimes don’t cut it and the circumstances so widely vary.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:09:05 +0000

Hey Shayne,

Thanks for the comment. That’s very true and I have to do it myself. In those cases, words matter, too. :) There is a way to be stern without being condescending. It all goes hand in hand.

Patrick

By: Shayne Tilley\

Shayne Tilley\ — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:49:06 +0000

I think I’m afraid to post a comment Patrick ;). I would say that the diplomatic approach works well, in most instances, however sometimes you need to be stern and short with your words to emphasize the seriousness of the message you are trying to covey.