Comments on: How much do people want to know their conversations are being monitored?

By: trevow

trevow — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:27:13 +0000

…and it would serve no-one well if large numbers started saying “… good afternoon, good evening, and good night.”

By: Ross Dawson

Ross Dawson — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:05:55 +0000

Very interesting point Trewow.
How differently will we behave when we have a constant feeling of being watched?
It harks back to the Truman Show…

By: trevow

trevow — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:57:54 +0000

Ross, this is a very valid point that I believe reflects the quandary of reality tv. How real is reality tv? Participants in these shows are generally aware that they are being watched and listened to and, therefore, are likely to present their own version of ‘reality’.
With social media, it depends on what companies want to hear in conversations. If they are happy to rely on only commentary made with the full intention of being heard by the brand, then there is unlikely to be an issue.
However, if companies want to hear consumers’ real likes and dislikes within genuine conversations, I believe they’d be better served by sitting back, listening more and not reminding people that they are ‘before the cameras’.

By: Mark Evans

Mark Evans — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:32:13 +0000

Ross,
One of the key considerations when looking at how social media monitoring services are used is that the information monitored is provided by people in a public forum, which is one of the reasons why they are using social media. The fact that companies are tapping into these public conversations reflects how the communications landscape has quickly evolved. At the same time, it’s another indication that companies are looking to have conversations with consumers as opposed to simply talking to them.
cheers, Mark
Mark Evans
Director of Communications
Sysomos INc.