TheJen

Saw some asshole griping about people promoting for sale things they make here on Mastodon.

So I blocked his stupid ass instead.

Look. Some folks lost their ENTIRE LIVELIHOOD when Twitter went tits up.

Save the arguments about building on other people's platforms for another time. Because for many, this is immediate, desperate, and is the difference between eating this week or not.

Don't be a dick.

Aug 22, 2023 at 1:09amMastodon for Android
Show threadIvey Janette McClellandAug 22, 2023

@JenWojcik A lot of us musicians used Twitter and Instagram to promote our gigs. That helped us tremendously. And helped us make income to keep a roof over our heads etc.

There's nothing wrong with promoting our businesses and/or side hustle here on Mastodon.

Show threadLuigi de GuzmanAug 22, 2023
@IveyJanette @JenWojcik the overwhelming cultural vibe on Mastodon is "this is a great network because absolutely nobody can ever read a damn thing anyone says"
Show threadTransitBikerAug 22, 2023
@IveyJanette @JenWojcik imagine trying to keep yourself fed, housed, and in arm’s reach of joy by promoting something you do. Totally illegal. ❤️
Show threadBishop Greer GodseyAug 22, 2023
@TransitBiker @IveyJanette @JenWojcik I tried that and got banned on fosstodon.org. Some instances are very uptight about people living! lol
Show threadStefan SchollAug 22, 2023

@bishop @TransitBiker @IveyJanette @JenWojcik That's crazy.

Free and open-source software (FOSS) was never without a business model. Except hobby projects by students. And these are very rare.

Billions of dollars are made with FOSS.

FOSStodon banning someone for self-promotion is just stupid.

Show threadcatsynth / amanda cAug 22, 2023
@IveyJanette @JenWojcik 100% this
Show threadShrikant JoshiAug 22, 2023

@IveyJanette Heck, there is no problem promoting your own sh*t ANYWHERE on ANY social media or network.

That's the whole point of these stupid things —to spread news to your social connections. And if you can't do that here, then where are you supposed to do it??

And if you find someone (who you think is) overdoing it, block them and move on.

@JenWojcik

Show threadStefan SchollAug 22, 2023

@shrikant @IveyJanette @JenWojcik THIS!

I was self-conscious when I first promoted something on Twitter and even marked it as an ad.

But then I realized that it isn't legally required to mark ads if it is for your own stuff that you made yourself.

And some countries are very strict nowadays with advertising social media.

Show threadIvey Janette McClellandAug 22, 2023
@Stefan_S_from_H @shrikant @JenWojcik Yes. That's why many of us moved to Instagram to promote our gigs and careers.
Show threadVenitaAug 22, 2023
@IveyJanette @JenWojcik If you are not violating TOS, you should post whatever you want to post. If folks don't like it, they can mute, block or get on with their day.
Show threadIvey Janette McClellandAug 22, 2023
@venitamathias @JenWojcik Yep. There's other servers and instances they can go to.
Show threadRichard W. Woodley ELBOWS UP 🇨🇦🌹🚴‍♂️📷 🗺️Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik
I see nothing wrong with artisans and craftspeople using Mastodon to sell their creations.
Show threadalcinnzAug 22, 2023
@the5thColumnist @JenWojcik In fact I'd welcome it! I want to see this!
Show thread@[email protected]Aug 22, 2023

@JenWojcik If someone doesn't want to see my content and can't be bothered to block me or ignore me, I'm happy to do the work for them and block them.

Oh, and yay for creative folks using social media for promoting their work, for me it's both an inspiration and an opportunity to participate in that part of the economy.

Show threadKBSez ✅Aug 22, 2023

@JenWojcik

I don't think I've seen anyone selling stuff on Mastodon... what sort of stuff, Jen?

anything cool?

Show thread⚡️ axeshun ⚡️  Aug 22, 2023
@kbsez @JenWojcik check out her stuff. It's beautiful. @skaly
Show threadSkalyAug 22, 2023
@axeshun @kbsez @JenWojcik thank you!!:)
Show thread⚡️ axeshun ⚡️  Aug 22, 2023
@skaly @kbsez @JenWojcik 💕🥰💕
Show threadXenofact (he/him)Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik *fistbump* seriously. Musk destroyed livelihoods. People should help OUT.
Show threadMilcom MiasmaAug 22, 2023

@JenWojcik

Well said.

Show threadNick's worldAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik This. People have to eat. It's sort of the only way for some because they have trouble getting jobs on such short notice and they could be homeless. It's not that hard to be a nice person. Humen decency is the bare minimum. Come on people.
Show threadLooking for explanations…Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik If I think someone is overdoing it, I can block. Nothing like mass, corporate advertising.
Show threadSilverlionAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Well said!
Show threadDavid 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️NB they/themAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik People should be able to promote their own work on here. It’s completely different than running ads and fosters community support which is exactly in line with what the Fediverse is trying to achieve imo. That person has other social media options if he doesn’t like it.
Show threadMorgan ⚧️Aug 22, 2023
@SailorDisco @JenWojcik yup if he doesn't want to be part of a community he can use Instagram or something or just not go on social media
Show threadLaux Myth (aka Martin)Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik
Good block. If one does not want to see any type of post, that whiner can stop following. And I hope that person does not follow me.
Show threadInfiniteOneAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik @Nordstahl Well said. It’s pretty basic.
Show threadLittleScrapsoftheNorthAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik “went tits up”. Oh my god best phrase ever…hmmm I wonder how else I can use that going forwards.. we can apply this to a lot of things in the world right now
Show threadC.S.StrowbridgeAug 22, 2023

@JenWojcik "So I blocked his stupid ass instead."

Hell Yeah!

Not only should you NEVER attack people for promoting their work, you should help them spread the word.

Show threadLolaAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Thank you for this. Sometimes I don't want to post too much sales because I don't want to feel like I'm spamming, but since I opened my account here, I got new sales thanks to my promotion. That was Not happening in other social media. I live in a country with an economic crisis, with great difficulty to find stable work, so each sale in my stores makes a big BIG difference, helps me to feed my family and pay my bills and debts. I am very grateful to be able to promote myself here 🙏❤
Show threadKaren StrickholmAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Right on!
Show threadAcetophelesAug 22, 2023

@JenWojcik a lot of people use Twitter for promotion. If all those people came here it would definitely be a huge loss for twitter and a win for mastodon... The best part of that is if someone wanted to they could make a mastodon instance for selling and promoting and it would still be great for mastodon

Go nuts! Sell your products and build an audience here. Fuck the dead bird app

Show threadJames IvanAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik I'm facing the same issue from promoting my blog on Mastodon. I probably won't use this app very much. I'll probably just stay on Threads.
Show threadTheJenAug 22, 2023
@Jamesivan96 OK bye then.
Show threadElReyNiffenAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Preach!!!!!
Show threadKrutonium://Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik I have 0 issues with individuals selling stuff on Mastodon. I'll even permit businesses within reason! I've never seen a public space without someone peddling somthing, why should here be any different.
Show threadStellarator 🏳️‍🌈🌮Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik The same applies to people shaming others for not having totally abandoned Twitter yet. For a lot of artists and creators, even if it's a sinking ship, it is still where their customers are *now*, and they need to pay the rent and eat *now*, and that's more important than a matter of principle.
Show threadMarquise de What 🇨🇦Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik 👍👍I find most complaints about this platform to be tedious: it's either "mastodon isn't X or Y or Z enough," or "there's too much XYZ" instead of actively working at learning about this platform and its potential, or doing much to contribute. Plus when it comes to artists, consistently bitching about the lifeblood of basic promo, when 99% of their own online lives involve interaction with or use of creators' non-remunerated and stolen content.
Show threadDoulosTheProphetAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik 👌🏿 yea people can be selfish
Show threadJames Ryland MillerAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Preach.
Show threadRoos2ParkAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik wow ik dacht weg te gaan van X met al het negatieve en gescheld. Niet veel beter hier zo te zien 😱
Show threadLisra The Grey Cat (They/Them)Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik you never know what cool things you might discover as well.
Show threadOggieAug 22, 2023

@JenWojcik A few times I run into accounts that don't talk much or interact, and I have to take the hard step of ...not following that particular person and then completely forgetting about it.

It's not like there are paid promotions on here, so...

Look capitalism does so much bad shit, but people trying to get by and occasionally point to ways they are trying to be self sufficient, that other people probably appreciate, is not even on the radar. If it bugs you, quietly move past.

Show threadTheJenAug 22, 2023
@Oggie Exactly.
Show threadshAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik People hate corporate, processed, fake ads. We only allow organic, farm-grown, pesticide-free ads injected into our bloodstream
Show threadSpeed demon 🇪🇺 🇳🇴🇺🇦🇵🇸Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Agreed, but try to be real please, and don't flood the timeline completely.
Show threadAdrian MoralesAug 22, 2023

@JenWojcik I, too, have books and articles and drawings that I'm promoting on Mastodon. I'll even ask folks to consider joining my Patreon if that's a possibility.

Honestly, these aren't corporations stealing your data and selling them to vendors. It's just stuff that we, the little people, make.

Show threadmdripsAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik I totally support you. I got banned for life (after 12+ years on Twitter) for agreeing with some sarcastic remark. Yeah Elon Musk’s Thought Police take their jobs too seriously. Musk is a one man horror show anyway.
Show threadSkalyAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Thank you for this Jen!! 💜
Show threadBarbaraPittman ☕️💬Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik
Or just keep scrolling.
Show threadMartijn van DijkAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Exactly. If you see an account posting stuff you don't like just mute and move on. No need to be a dick about it.
Show threadIsho'yeAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik Selling your own work, totally fine. The numerous drop-shipping, "Best (serivce) in (your area)", and SEO spammers can go rot, tho.
Show threadMatthew Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik And the same people wonder why others don't even try the Fediverse.. I swear this space would gatekeep the Fediverse rather than make the newbies feel at home without the toxic positivity bullshit and had to remind people that Twitter is worse like it somehow justify their behaviour of being a dick on here and getting angry and hostile.
Show threadEugenia LAug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik As an illustrator, I want to promote my work on Mastodon, for anyone who might want to buy a print. After IG went all algorithmic, all sales dried up. Mastodon is where some artists come to find a new audience, especially because of its chronological feed.
Show threadunlucio 🌍 Aug 22, 2023
@JenWojcik I understand what you write and their need for promotion (we all need livelihoods), but I'd also like to ask what someone trying to avoid marketing/adv stuff should do?
I'm personally so fed up by the constant promotions of every kind, on every media, that when I stumble an any of them it just stirs up bad feelings no matter what. Asap something new comes out it's quickly skewed to be (ab)used for advertising (I call it spam).
What are those trying to avoid all that supposed to do?