Nice suckup, Guy!

February 22, 2006 By

Guy Kawasaki sucked up to me. I’m a sucker for a good suckup. But, Guy, be careful about sucking up to me. If you really want to build a good user movement I’d suck up to a bunch of bloggers no one has ever heard about. There’s a reason that works better. It’s more believable (and makes you look better too) and people remember when you notice them when they are not yet discovered. Plus, your readers will see that you’re looking for new bloggers instead of just sucking up to those who have some influence somewhere.

Update: a few people are taking this the wrong way and seeing it as permission to attack me personally. That’s an interesting behavior. Scoble gets egotistical and that makes it OK to get personal. Hmmmm. I think there are a few people who must have forgotten how to type slashdot.org into their browser. ;-)

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  • http://spaces.msn.com/members/act2 Alfred Thompson

    I wonder if he is sucking up or just teasing you?

  • http://spaces.msn.com/members/act2 Alfred Thompson

    I wonder if he is sucking up or just teasing you?

  • J. Random Poster

    Good god, what conceit! He just mentioned your name, and you decide that he’s “sucking up”?

  • J. Random Poster

    Good god, what conceit! He just mentioned your name, and you decide that he’s “sucking up”?

  • http://peterdawson.typepad.com/ /pd

    ” great name has the potential to turn into a verb. Examples: Xerox (fortunately, they overcame the X), Google, Digg, and StuffIt. (Scoble too?***) Words with verb potential are short–no more than three syllables and “active sounding.” ”

    I wonder how he was sucking up ??

    Woot woot “Scoblize it” ?? Like lets “xerox it” or its a “Kodak moment” . I dont think so Robert !!!

  • http://peterdawson.typepad.com /pd

    ” great name has the potential to turn into a verb. Examples: Xerox (fortunately, they overcame the X), Google, Digg, and StuffIt. (Scoble too?***) Words with verb potential are short–no more than three syllables and “active sounding.” ”

    I wonder how he was sucking up ??

    Woot woot “Scoblize it” ?? Like lets “xerox it” or its a “Kodak moment” . I dont think so Robert !!!

  • Mr. Anonymous

    I’m an employee of Microsoft. You’re an embarrassment.

  • Marc Valentine

    Wow, what an ego. You’re seriously starting to lose it. Is this comment “sucking up”?

  • Mr. Anonymous

    I’m an employee of Microsoft. You’re an embarrassment.

  • Marc Valentine

    Wow, what an ego. You’re seriously starting to lose it. Is this comment “sucking up”?

  • Milcho Srebrenica

    What would “to Scoble” or “to Scobleize” mean exactly? To be a pompous turd, paid Microsoft shill, and all around jackass? If so, it will probably get accepted broadly. Regardless of what Mr. Kawasaki was attempting to do – which I highly doubt was to “suck up” to your fat ass – it appears to have worked as you’ve now linked to his blog. I don’t know why I read you anymore. You’re ridiculous.

  • Milcho Srebrenica

    What would “to Scoble” or “to Scobleize” mean exactly? To be a pompous turd, paid Microsoft shill, and all around jackass? If so, it will probably get accepted broadly. Regardless of what Mr. Kawasaki was attempting to do – which I highly doubt was to “suck up” to your fat ass – it appears to have worked as you’ve now linked to his blog. I don’t know why I read you anymore. You’re ridiculous.

  • http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ scobleizer

    Geez, all the love!

    If you read Guy’s post he said he was sucking up to me. You guys don’t read very carefully, do you?

    Mr. Anonymous: you’re an embarrassment to Microsoft. Why don’t you sign your name so we can all take shots at you the way you did here?

  • http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ scobleizer

    Geez, all the love!

    If you read Guy’s post he said he was sucking up to me. You guys don’t read very carefully, do you?

    Mr. Anonymous: you’re an embarrassment to Microsoft. Why don’t you sign your name so we can all take shots at you the way you did here?

  • http://www.bynkii.com/ John C. Welch

    well, if you read the WHOLE article, you see this bit:

    *** I threw this in since he’s always saying that I don’t include enough outbound links in my blog. How’s that for sucking up? :-)

    So yes, Robert is correct, Guy is sucking up in a humorous way. It’s a joke people. I mean, I’ll smack Robert around when he’s being a prat, but really…read the ENTIRE POST first.

    Yeesh.

  • http://www.bynkii.com/ John C. Welch

    well, if you read the WHOLE article, you see this bit:

    *** I threw this in since he’s always saying that I don’t include enough outbound links in my blog. How’s that for sucking up? :-)

    So yes, Robert is correct, Guy is sucking up in a humorous way. It’s a joke people. I mean, I’ll smack Robert around when he’s being a prat, but really…read the ENTIRE POST first.

    Yeesh.

  • Diego

    Scoble: “If you read Guy’s post he said he was sucking up to me. You guys don’t read very carefully, do you?”

    Sometimes not reading something still doesn’t stop people from commenting. Always reminds me of when controversial books and films are released and some people still protest or comment without having read or seen the films. “The Last Temptation of Christ” anyone?

  • Diego

    Scoble: “If you read Guy’s post he said he was sucking up to me. You guys don’t read very carefully, do you?”

    Sometimes not reading something still doesn’t stop people from commenting. Always reminds me of when controversial books and films are released and some people still protest or comment without having read or seen the films. “The Last Temptation of Christ” anyone?

  • Diego

    Sure… the whole Scoble “Suck Up” Scandal and “The Last Temptation of Christ” scandal are slightly different in magnitude, but you get the drift. :)

  • Diego

    Sure… the whole Scoble “Suck Up” Scandal and “The Last Temptation of Christ” scandal are slightly different in magnitude, but you get the drift. :)

  • http://www.sharkride.com/ Matt Jaunich

    I have a great blog waiting to be discovered, Guy, and I even won your “most likely to be an MBA” award! Check it out -

    http://www.sharkride.com/

    thanks!

  • http://www.sharkride.com/ Matt Jaunich

    I have a great blog waiting to be discovered, Guy, and I even won your “most likely to be an MBA” award! Check it out -

    http://www.sharkride.com/

    thanks!

  • http://www.pocketfactory.com/ Kent Pribbernow

    What? Microsoft bashers are making personal attacks on Scoble? I am truly stunned. I’ve never witnessed this sort of behavior before…it’s unprecedented!

  • http://www.pocketfactory.com Kent Pribbernow

    What? Microsoft bashers are making personal attacks on Scoble? I am truly stunned. I’ve never witnessed this sort of behavior before…it’s unprecedented!

  • Dmad

    I’m not sure I understand the point of this entry except for Scoble to show his terminal insecurity by mentinoing again how someone links to him. “See! Look at how well known my blog is! You can be like me, too if you get enough people to link to you!” We get it, Scoble. You think you are important, but you’re only known in a limited geek blogosphere. Now, go back to blogging about your company’s products so you can work to give your shareholders more value.

  • Dmad

    I’m not sure I understand the point of this entry except for Scoble to show his terminal insecurity by mentinoing again how someone links to him. “See! Look at how well known my blog is! You can be like me, too if you get enough people to link to you!” We get it, Scoble. You think you are important, but you’re only known in a limited geek blogosphere. Now, go back to blogging about your company’s products so you can work to give your shareholders more value.

  • http://www.bynkii.com/ John C. Welch

    No Robert, you’re ALWAYS egotistical, but this time, you were just going along with the humor in Guy’s post.

  • http://www.bynkii.com/ John C. Welch

    No Robert, you’re ALWAYS egotistical, but this time, you were just going along with the humor in Guy’s post.

  • http://www.dailyfisk.com/ FISK!

    Kawasaki sucks up to the FISK but eats crow, and Scoble receives a mild scolding.

  • http://www.dailyfisk.com FISK!

    Kawasaki sucks up to the FISK but eats crow, and Scoble receives a mild scolding.

  • http://www.feedlinx.com/ Shannon Whitley

    This debate makes for great reading. Although I’d call a few of the comments below the belt. (pun intended)

    So let me get this straight: Scoble advises someone to find talented, unknown bloggers and link to them. He then suggests that Guy should interact with his readers and include them in his conversations. So…could someone please explain the logic behind attacking Rob for these points? If you’re a bitter “D-Lister,” wouldn’t this post show some support for you?

    Rob, your back on my feedroll — http://www.voiceoftech.com/swhitley

    .

  • http://www.feedlinx.com Shannon Whitley

    This debate makes for great reading. Although I’d call a few of the comments below the belt. (pun intended)

    So let me get this straight: Scoble advises someone to find talented, unknown bloggers and link to them. He then suggests that Guy should interact with his readers and include them in his conversations. So…could someone please explain the logic behind attacking Rob for these points? If you’re a bitter “D-Lister,” wouldn’t this post show some support for you?

    Rob, your back on my feedroll — http://www.voiceoftech.com/swhitley

    .

  • Nico

    who’s sucking up.. what a jerk

  • Nico

    who’s sucking up.. what a jerk

  • http://www.infurious.com/blogs/ MJ

    Whoosh, I really thought he was referring to Piaras Kelly’s PR blog as he referred to it as a “very interesting discussion”. Sure, he name-checked you but that was because you have a great name for verbage. Make sure you encourage your lad to use it – I full expect to be “scobling” things by the time he’s in college. Smart kid (well, he chose the Mac…duh!) :D

    Still — it’s cool to be namechecked by the great Guy Kawasaki ;) even when you’re an A-list blogger with a bazillion loyal subscribers

    All said, some of your readers really need to chow down on a kilo of “Chill the **** Out”.

  • http://www.infurious.com/blogs/ MJ

    Whoosh, I really thought he was referring to Piaras Kelly’s PR blog as he referred to it as a “very interesting discussion”. Sure, he name-checked you but that was because you have a great name for verbage. Make sure you encourage your lad to use it – I full expect to be “scobling” things by the time he’s in college. Smart kid (well, he chose the Mac…duh!) :D

    Still — it’s cool to be namechecked by the great Guy Kawasaki ;) even when you’re an A-list blogger with a bazillion loyal subscribers

    All said, some of your readers really need to chow down on a kilo of “Chill the **** Out”.

  • http://www.feedscott.com/ feedscott

    We need blogging as an olympic sport to settle this :)

  • http://www.feedscott.com/ feedscott

    We need blogging as an olympic sport to settle this :)

  • http://andreweglinton.wordpress.com/ kill your tv

    Ah the egos of rich middle-aged white men…they never could quite free themselves from what Freud dubbed the ‘mother complex’…thank god the red alternative is on the horizon, not that it will be any better, but at least it will bring change to the appalling white hegemony we have to put up with.

    Scoble, the writing is on the wall when your own team turns against you…change or be changed.

  • http://andreweglinton.wordpress.com/ kill your tv

    Ah the egos of rich middle-aged white men…they never could quite free themselves from what Freud dubbed the ‘mother complex’…thank god the red alternative is on the horizon, not that it will be any better, but at least it will bring change to the appalling white hegemony we have to put up with.

    Scoble, the writing is on the wall when your own team turns against you…change or be changed.

  • skc

    Wow, I wonder if all the people that made personal attacks on Scoble in this post will come back and admit that they look like complete and utter idiots after realizing the joke that both Robert and Guy are in on.

    The Scoble hate is pathetic.

  • skc

    Wow, I wonder if all the people that made personal attacks on Scoble in this post will come back and admit that they look like complete and utter idiots after realizing the joke that both Robert and Guy are in on.

    The Scoble hate is pathetic.

  • http://adultaddstrengths.com/ Pete Quily

    Hey Robert,

    Guy’s been doing well for a novice blogger.

    He’s been blogging for less than 2 months and already has 1,567 sites linking to him in Technorati vs your 3793, and he isn’t even out of google’s sandbox yet. Is that some kind of record?

    He may learn some tips on blogging from you but I don’t think he needs you to teach him how to build a user movement.

    “Kawasaki is credited as being one of the first to use evangelical methods to promote a computer brand.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_evangelist
    might have something to do with it.

    As someone who’s read and benefitted from some of his tips for spreading the light (Macintosh), you might learn a few tips about developing a user movement from Guy. Of course, you have a more difficult product to sell:)

  • http://adultaddstrengths.com Pete Quily

    Hey Robert,

    Guy’s been doing well for a novice blogger.

    He’s been blogging for less than 2 months and already has 1,567 sites linking to him in Technorati vs your 3793, and he isn’t even out of google’s sandbox yet. Is that some kind of record?

    He may learn some tips on blogging from you but I don’t think he needs you to teach him how to build a user movement.

    “Kawasaki is credited as being one of the first to use evangelical methods to promote a computer brand.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_evangelist
    might have something to do with it.

    As someone who’s read and benefitted from some of his tips for spreading the light (Macintosh), you might learn a few tips about developing a user movement from Guy. Of course, you have a more difficult product to sell:)

  • http://www.nyub.net/ MK

    This bridge has a lot of trolls under it.

  • http://www.nyub.net MK

    This bridge has a lot of trolls under it.

  • http://www.jonasantonsson.com/ Jonas Antonsson

    Scoble.

    Nice point on linking to lesser known blogs – although I think Pete Quily is probably right. Most might learn a few tips about developing a user movement from Guy.

    Disregard all the hate and personal attacks.

    J#

  • http://www.jonasantonsson.com Jonas Antonsson

    Scoble.

    Nice point on linking to lesser known blogs – although I think Pete Quily is probably right. Most might learn a few tips about developing a user movement from Guy.

    Disregard all the hate and personal attacks.

    J#

  • Christopher Coulter

    Hey, I got the joke…

    Per Guy’s post, good thoughts, however the runaway product can blast away all that. But never with the dot.com Z,Y,X Spacey names.

    But it’s just basic branding, not sure why this Marketing 101 stuff is all a grand ‘Road to Damascus’ revelation for VCs and Bloggers. But anyone laser-focused on being first in the alphabet, doesn’t have a good product to begin with; good enough product they will beat a door, no matter where you place yourself in the CES list.

  • Christopher Coulter

    Hey, I got the joke…

    Per Guy’s post, good thoughts, however the runaway product can blast away all that. But never with the dot.com Z,Y,X Spacey names.

    But it’s just basic branding, not sure why this Marketing 101 stuff is all a grand ‘Road to Damascus’ revelation for VCs and Bloggers. But anyone laser-focused on being first in the alphabet, doesn’t have a good product to begin with; good enough product they will beat a door, no matter where you place yourself in the CES list.

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