I installed Droplr to try it out. This is the last step of the setup. Fuck no. Don’t treat your users like tools to gain social networking hype.
At least give the users a minute to see if they even like your app before you start begging them to promote your own application (which is the developer’s job by the way).
If you do things like this, people who just want 1GB will do it, and people like me, with standards and expectations of quality software, will not.
Holy hell.
Do they really think this strategy works? Here’s the best-case scenario*:
Someone whose opinion I respect tweets “I just started using Droplr, the coolest new app for Mac. Check it out at [URL].” I believe them, so I download it and run the installer. Next thing I know, I’m being bribed to post exactly the same prefabricated message.
- Suddenly I realize that the recommendation I trusted was bought and paid for.
- I also realize that my friend hadn’t even had a chance to try the app out before recommending it.
- I feel betrayed by both Droplr and my friend. Regardless of my feelings on the larger issue of social media marketing, there’s an immediate bitter taste in my mouth before I even start using the product.
Way to go, Droplr guys. Maybe next time you can figure out a way to punch your users directly in the face the moment they double-click.
*Of course, the worst-case scenario is that I’m so put off by the experience that I post about it on my blog. Ta-da.
Here’s another outcome:
You install it and don’t pay close attention to Yet Another Thing I Have To Click On Before I Can Use This After Authorizing Twitter (the only way to get an account on Doplr) and click the “Continue” button because you just Want To Get On With It Already and only realize as you glance at the window as it is closing that it is tweeting something.
(I deleted it as soon as possible.)
I’m still so annoyed at Squarespace for their “#squarespace” hashtag several months ago that even after several recommendations, I’m still hesitant to use it. And I never learned what #squarespace was during the whole hashtag fiasco/annoying the hell out of me.
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charliepark reblogged this from chrisbowler and added:
Charlie’s comment: There’s a middle ground here. We did something similar, with our just-launched anti-ID-theft app...
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zonble reblogged this from camh and added:
Actually I installed Droplr, too....the software because I saw a friend mentioned about...
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sgtstretch reblogged this from goobimama and added:
hate campaigns like this. What...carpet bomb spamming attack.
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goobimama reblogged this from chrisbowler and added:
What’s odd, is that it’s not a clear cut checkbox to opt out. There’s no “No Thanks & Continue” button at the bottom....
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chrisbowler reblogged this from camh and added:
Cameron says this about Droplr:...don’t usually disagree with people online, but feel...
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ampersandbox reblogged this from dwineman and added:
What makes this even worse is that instead of offering a “No thanks” button, they’ve forced the user to opt-out by...
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tj reblogged this from dwineman and added:
Here’s another outcome: You install it and don’t pay close attention to Yet Another Thing I Have To Click On Before I...
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frijole reblogged this from camh and added:
storage, then delete...tweet as quickly as possible.
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xntrek reblogged this from dwineman and added:
which is why I now have a second twitter account I do not link to anyone for just this purpose, to announce new products...
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camh liked this
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dwineman reblogged this from camh and added:
Holy hell. Do they really think this strategy works? Here’s the best-case scenario*: Someone whose opinion
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camh posted this