June 30, 2011 By Raul Colon 80 Comments

Update: We Want to Follow You but Have No Interest in Listening

Update: We have not heard from Sears but we are very curious of all the comments left on my blog by anonymous individuals defending the brand. We are on track towards disclosing information of the people behind the attacks on my blog which are aligned with sears.

Although some of the comments have been purely offensive I have decided to leave the comments up. I will let you my reader be the judge. I also wanted to include a screenshot of the IP’s of the people leaving comments they seem to be the same person. As you can see below at the end of the Post.

I am not a big fan of companies following me when I have no relationship established with them. It gets worst when it is more than obvious that the reason they are following me is to push their product info. Every time a company starts following me I do try to gauge the purpose of the follow.

I quickly send a public message out and wait for their response. If they respond in a human way then I start asking them questions. Where most companies fail in capturing my attention is when I ask them who is tweeting from that account. Some companies forget the human part of using social media and just want the logo to talk. Yes some companies actually think that a logo talking will make me close to them. I personally find the Pillsbury doughboy super cute but how many times do I buy from him. I find the Michelin man fun but I have never bought their tires. My point is that I try to support the businesses of the humans I engage with not the logos I find appealing.

If I get a reply from the company that they can’t disclose who is tweeting that usually ends my online relationship with them and I will not engage with them any further.

The other day I was followed, quite possible like many of you, by @searslatino and I automatically got suspicious. I looked at their tweets and saw that they where playing the Mention game where they take a bunch of people and mention them in groups. I sent a tweet asking them who they where and the purpose of them following me and I did get a generic response. Translated in English it said it was Sears Holding Department Stores for Latinos and that they would love to learn more about me (See Tweet Below).

There was a problem with the blakbirdpie shortcode

I guess if your user is @Searslatino , I pretty much get an idea of who it might be. I wanted a name of a person, which I got on the next tweet when I told them that I wanted to know who was typing on the keyboard.

@SearsLatino si pero como se llama el que esta escribiendo detras del teclado :)

June 28, 2011 9:22 am via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite

@rj_c

Raul Colon

@rj_c Carmen ;)

June 28, 2011 9:25 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@SearsLatino

SearsLatino

She replied that Carmen was behind the Keyboard. I was so impressed with their answer I did not hesitate in following them back and sent the following tweet.

Very happy that @SearsLatino Replied with a real person behind their account :)

June 28, 2011 4:28 pm via HootSuite ReplyRetweetFavorite

@rj_c

Raul Colon

Then @searslatino replied that they where online so we could get to know them better and overall to know more about us. She later wrote that if I had any questions to feel free to ask.

@rj_c @rj_c Por supuesto!Estamos aqui para q' nos conozcan mejor y sobre todo conocer de uds.Si tienes alguna ? no dudes en preguntar ;)

June 28, 2011 4:40 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@SearsLatino

SearsLatino

Since they offered to answer my questions, I wanted to know more about their online effort to write a post on my blog and spread the word.

To which I got an automatic DM which are hated by most people like me. After that I got a response that they could not answer my questions because their calendar was full.

When I asked them what calendar, they mentioned the Marketing Outreach Calendar. This is the first time I reach out to a company to answer questions and they tell me there Marketing Outreach is full. As a matter of fact it is the first time a company mentions such a term. So they told me that I had to wait in line while they could handle the outpour of requests.

I am completely convinced that @searslatino is out there to push their products to the Latino Community. I have worked on many occasions on getting bloggers to write about an experience or collaborate and it is very difficult to get people interested. So I really doubt that hundreds of bloggers are knocking on their door to get more info on regarding their effort.

I planned to write about a positive experience regarding @searslatino account.

From my perspective here is what they did wrong:

They started following random people. They are trying to harvest followers so they can look good on the number of followers side.

They followed me showing interest, offered to answer my questions and later retracted when they saw it was going to cause them work.

They sent mix messages and contradicted themselves on some tweets. You either want to engage with people or you just want people to follow you so you can push your products.

Overall I really think @searslatino needs to get on track. If they had a goal of reaching so many followers they should really consider engaging with the ones that are interested or have a low follower count like me.

I know of a few other individuals who reached out to them and since there follower count was high I guess they where more than willing to take their request.

I think I know what metrics they are using to measure influence!

Trolls Leaving Comments

Rebecca

Very curious that the negative comments are coming out of the area where Sears HQ has its headquarters.

El Drono

Is using IP Proxies but there is a 95% probability that they are Rebecca. Last Ip registered was in Chicago.

Droning for $ has the same IP Address as Rebecca

You guys can be the judge.

photo credit by Mr Thinktank

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http://bellavidabyletty.blogspot.com/ BellaVida

I really enjoyed reading about your take on this issue. They also follow me on twitter but I knew it was a marketing tactic so I just ignored it. I hope they are enjoying my tweets. (^.~)

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Feel free to ask them for an interview so you can see what results you will get. LOL

Victoria

So, i thought you weren’t asking for an interview, just info

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

I guess there is not much to do near Wichita but make attacks with an alias.

Rebecca

The word alias seems to be a favorite of yours- how much identity would you like someone to provide? Why do you feel someone owes it to you to disclose anything? You have a blog up for public viewing and open to comments. Do you need to see that someone has authority/inflkuence to question you about your interview or questions with a company?
http://twitter.com/rscspokenword Rodrigo Sanchez

the more you type, the deeper the trench you keep digging for yourself. Sears did not play this situation well. Raul is in all his right to ask questions. When we consumers spend $$ on corporations, we also expect them to act right and professionally, via any form of medium. Its clear, Sears didnt act that way. this could be a teaching moment, but all these posts and post of other interested parties on behalf of you and sears like corporations really paints the picture of a person who is bitter about the route that Raul has taken.
rsc

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

I guess there is not much to do near Wichita but make attacks with an alias.

Kofla Olivieri

Since I am not interested in those type of followers I usually block them. lol

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Kofia,

Good tip might put it into consideration .

http://www.agapita.com/ Bianca*

They want to make a tv-ad-look-like, a sign without expecting a conversation. Too bad for them. THIS IS NOT TRADITIONAL MEDIA!!!

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Bianca,

Yes they think they are Twitter celebrities and just opened the account a few days ago. I am so happy to see you visiting my blog.

Anonymous

This rocks!!!!!!
http://twitter.com/JacqCarly Jacqueline Carly

They started following me too and I got the same auto reply you did. I’ll be tweeting at them now. Tweeting YOUR post, that is!

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Thanks Jacq! They followed many of us. I guess there goal was a follow back!
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

You have to see the response a supposed Rebecca left below!

http://poder5.blogspot.com Prometeo

They didn’t follow me I love talking to machines…

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Prometeo,

Maybe Rebecca above can follow you on her accounts since she seems to think it is appropriate to follow people online and not engage with them.

Rebecca

Hi Raul, I am trying to grasp the story above and what you expected from Sears Latino? I think you are putting Carmen in a hard place, she is part of a large corporation where there is interest from bloggers everyday. I also work for a large company in social media. We get asked constantly for connections for product testing, to “get the scoop” on new product launches etc. I cannot control the access my company has with bloggers- if they are interested in contact with the interested parties- they get in touch. If there is a project that they can engage with bloggers with they will reach out- that is part of a marketing calendar and plan- it involves several different business units. There would be several people who would have to be devoted to this job if we could fulfill all the requests we get.(in this economy- money isn’t being ut into relations via social media- we are lucky our company is trying to slightly embrace it )

To answer questions you might have about Latino Outreach that would probably come from a PR person- not a social media person. As I read, I think you expected her to answer or put you in touch with someone to answer your questions. That is beyond “her” engaging with you and beyond “her” job.
Honestly I have had people tweet to our account that my company owes them money, or that I should put them in touch with a buyer they have a great product, I have also had demands to get a CEO’s address and phone. I also hear form bIoggers who insist on reaching out an insist they would be a good fit for my company. We have fashion, they blog about fashion. I can imagine that its similar for Sears. Social Media is not the most common way for a person to initiate contact with a fortune 500 company. People also think a tweet should provide them with instantaneous access to phone calls, information, inventory, etc,– not everyone is geared to provide that multitude of information via social media!
I wouldn’t think Sears Latino was trying to harvest followers as they are not even at 1500 followers and we all know there is a faster way to get a number larger and in a shorter amount of time than that.
I think your criticism is pretty harsh, and I would be surprised if they respond to you, since your tactics are “catching them” and them replying to you would only fuel your fire and agenda.
I see this attempt at “viral attacking” all the time. I’m not sure what your goal is – if it was to engage with them you didn’t give them much opportunity before attacking them.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Rebecca,

I see you are using alias. Your argument would have been more valid if you would have identified yourself.

You read my thoughts. I find funny your comments on the Viral attack I think you need to check the dictionary on that.

They started following me and a bunch of people who have no interest of following sears. I have not been the only one with the same situation. I can clearly suspect you are someone internal since you have disclosed things that only someone internal would have discussed.

If you are really trying to get your point across feel free to identify yourself like many of us did.

Rebecca

I only mean that you seem to be picking on Sears Latinos replies to you and posting the communication. I see people all the time not get the answer they want so they think by posting it over and over on any social media platform they can, it will get the answer they want. I see it every day! I work for a company that makes people angry with their sales, return policies, employees, hours, hiring practices! name it there is anger.
I have people who follow me in my personal life thinking I am an influencer of others on social media spaces, If I like your product I can be. People see I am in social media and they reach out because they think I get it- I’ve been impressed with people engaging with me who work for a product I could never use- I follow them because its not always about a product I wlll use- sometimes it s a conversation about something totally different. Or I respect that they might have a take on their product that I might learn something from. I would choose those people to follow too if I had an engagement strategy.

http://twitter.com/JacqCarly Jacqueline Carly

Rebecca, from your comments, you totally missed the point of what Raul was saying in his post and completely misunderstood the conversation he had with Sears. He is not speaking out of term, as I contacted SearsLatino myself, and a very similar experience. This is NOT about trying to get something from the company, or getting an interview with someone. If a brand is using social media to connect with consumers, then it’s job is to DO that, and not on a false robotic level (unless they want to fail). I too, was told they were TOO BUSY for me and would pass my info on to someone IF they felt I’d be a good FIT for them. What??!! I’m a general consumer that they followed online FIRST, I asked a simple question, and that was their reply? And You think that is ok?! I shouldn’t need to be a “good fit” for a company to respond or answer a simple question I have. PERIOD. The only reason for them to be doing that, is if they are vetting who they give info to/are nice to, because they ONLY want to talk with big names on twitter. And that is unfortunate, because you never know who people who have access to or how much influence they might have that you don’t know about. Plain and simple, they are doing it WRONG.

Rebecca

Jacqueline, I do understand what Raul was saying. I am saying that once you reach out and say you have questions for a company- and you are a blogger, it becomes a media request. The company has to have a response- to your specific request prepared- and a PR person gets involved because it is a statement/stance from the company about their practices. You become like any other journalist because the information might be published somewhere and it has to be treated that way. The accomodation takes resources – the social media person cannot give you that info as it is beyond their realm- they do however pass information to PR or a blogger outreach person. They cannot promise you that someone will contact you and when. Yes, I think if a company responded and spent hours preparing for an interview with someone who has 20 people “liking” their blog is kind of a wasted of resources. Its just common sense- we would need a special staff devoted to answer all the requests we get at my company- and that isn’t going to happen. The bloggers that my company reached out to don’t have to have “superstar” social media status but their influence is looked at- otherwise its a waste of time and resources.

My company gets requests about product launches all the time. That would involve a legal team, the product department, and PR coordinating the information given to this person.. it is not an easy request to fulfill for a person asking. I cannot promise that anyone will be contacted, I don’t have that power- I do not know all the planning – I am not privy to that information.
http://twitter.com/JacqCarly Jacqueline Carly

Thanks for your reply, Rebecca. I disagree completely. I have interacted/worked with companies/brands as big, and some even bigger than Sears, NONE of them have handled such requests the way you are describing. And even if they were doing that behind the scenes, they would never be so rude to a general consumer and say they were “too busy” and “if they were interested” they would get back to them. Anyway, live & learn. Hopefully they will improve their practices, if not they will be alienating many people. What I find most interesting about this right now, is how much time you have taken out of the last two days to defend them. They should put you on their payroll.
Anonymous

We are so with you on that, Jacqueline! @Rebecca, do you work for Sears?
Rebecca

Jaqueline, I had a conversation with Raul about my posts and how I took things. I do realize he is not being malicious and do get what you are saying too. No one should feel like anyone is “too busy” for them. I don’t think thats how anyone wants a customer to feel. I let my feelings about this escalate a little too far and apologize if I offended you.
Victoria

If they didnt think you were important enought, why did they started following? If it was true that they are only interested on the big names and numbers, they wouldn’t try following you or Raul.
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Venezolana or better said Troll 2,

Take a look at Jacq’s profile and you would be amazed on how influential she is. But then again you clearly don’t understand what the word influence means!
Rebecca

She probably started following you because you profess to know something about social media and that you are a Latino businesssman. Its nice that you stated you don’t follow SearsLatino but then have the nerve to see if you can interview someone about their efforts? Really? Someone is supposed to think you are worth the time to get a PR person to spedn their time with you and you can’t follow the company you are making the request from? Thats sketchy. I would give you a message like you received too! Good for her!
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Why don’t you ask her. O wait you would have to wait in line for a reply!

No need to re-write what was explained above.

Can you define Businessman for me in your terms?

And yes I would not doubt that since you speak as a Social Media Guru you might not have time for me also. However I hope you took a bathroom break from reading and commenting on my blog.
Rebecca

First of all I would never use “social media guru” to describe myself. That is a stupid label.
I wouldn’t have to wait in a line to ask a question to searslatino- but if it involved outreach or an interview -Carmen isn’t going to be able to give me that information- She is not a spokesperson for the company. Do you know she works for Sears or is she part of a paid advertising company that works for Sears?

I think when you have a strategy for engagement it would make sense to find people who are interested in social media or that seem to be engaging on Twitter- you often run into them in convos with other people. I cannot give you the thought she had- and would never spend as much time dissecting it as you have above.
I don’t think your tactics were nice or thoughtful. thats all!
http://twitter.com/JacqCarly Jacqueline Carly

That’s exactly what I was talking about in my response, Victoria, judging people by their numbers, as you just did. You have no idea how far my reach does or doesn’t extend.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

As for interest for bloggers to help you out without expecting anything in return difficult to find. But if you think that story is going to fly keep on repeating like any politician would.

Rebecca

Raul- when you are talking about a Fortune 500 company – you have people reach out to you who have 100 followers, 5,000 and 35,000 followers. Its about resources, you cannot give everything to everyone who requests contact/information. My company will send products out to “mommy bloggers” and sponsor contests on blogs. We can’t do it for everyone.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Rebecca,

We did not request any gifts. I guess you having issues reading the conversation. You are twisting the information.

Accusing me of a Viral Attack and all the other nonsense when you clearly don’t have an idea of what you are talking about.

Rebecca

Raul,
I did not say you wanted gifts- I mentioned contact/information too, above. If you wanted information about the company’s latino outreach position you could have requested a Public Relations contact instead of trying to gain access to someone via a social media person. It seems like you would know this. This situation is like someone calling your house and a person saying “tell them I am not home” –you can’t make the person talk to the caller. So you chose to dissect the person who answered your call. (social media person) while not understanding that there is a process- if you want someone to listen and to interview someone. – you don’t want “to wait in line”

Your request to ask questions about outreach becomes a media request. It isn’t merely a person on the phone with you. it is involving a person who prepares answers for your specific interview request. The resources aren’t always there to do this. You aren’t the only person requesting this contact by a longshot.
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Rebecca,

I really don’t like talking with people who make false accusations of others but don’t have the courage of identifying themselves.

By just that fact I can see you clearly don’t get what online interactions should be like. As for your strange ideas on how to connect with people online I feel sorry for the companies that you might represent (although I do have a strong feeling that you work for Sears, Reason why you won’t identify yourself).

On our side everyone commenting has identified themselves and you have decided to continue with contradicting arguments while remaining anonymous. This is my last reply to someone who probably does not even exist.

Not sure why Sears Latino would follow me if they had no time for me. I did not follow them and overall They offered to clear questions to later retract themselves. Please buy new eyewear so you don’t miss these key points!
Rebecca

This is Rebecca- I work in social media- what do I need to prove to you? I am not having you copy my comments and send them to the company I work for- or try to stir stuff there the way you have attempted above. Do you really think they want to engage with you now?
You tell others to ask for an interview- are they are supposed to comply with any request they get?.
Just because someone offers to answer questions doesn’t mean they have the ability to answer everything on your mind- (interview? or questions?- pick one). Instead of harrassing Sears Latino- why don’t you call their PR department and ask them your questions- they would say “who are you” and “they’ll get back to you” / try it! .
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Rebecca,

Is an alias your last name might start with M. The only person harassing and attacking is someone tied to a name Legacy. By the way I have not gone on the Sears Website I have been expressing myself from my blog, facebook, and twitter with many others that understand my point. So while you are near Troy, Michigan enjoying the 4th of July please respect the fact that it is independence and freedom of speech. Something I served my time in the military for.

We have already pinpointed your relationship with Sears so I would recommend you to stop if you think your employer might not like this.
Rebecca

You think you have pinpointed my relationship. Its not important. I have not stated it or communicated from my work accoounts with you. You have tweeted your blog to searslatino and asked for a response from them – yesterday as a matter of fact. You also encourage others here to ask SearsLatino for an interview, so what does that gain?
Yes freedom of speech I agree with- badgering someone who respectfully tells you no I don’t agree with. You practices above I do not agree with. If you don’t want my opinion ban me from posting on your site.
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Time will tell. Keep on posting comments it only increases the visibility of this point with people that make sense. So you are working towards my effort!

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

By the way Rebecca I find it very curious that your response comes after office hours and fairly close to Sears HQ

Rebecca

Raul, I do know many people who work for Sears but work for another major retailer in Chicago. I do not wish to have a blog about the retailer I work for-or to have people trying to “catch me” not engaging with them. This is my personal time and my personal take on a situation a few friends and I discussed earlier today.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Rebecca,

look at what you wrote and you are making false accusations.

Be more careful when you write!

Victoria

I agree with Rebbeca. Parece que no supieran mucho de grandes corporaciones. Como tu mismo mencionas Raul- Apenas acaban de abrir su pagina, de verdad crees que le van a dar informacion al primero o a cualquiera que la pida? Tengo sentido common. Yo me imagino que tienen una estrategia lista. Tampoco estoy de acuerdo en que no saben lo que estan haciendo. Gracias a ti, los estoy siguiendo ahora y a decir verdad si me molesto un poco el auto DM promocional que me enviaron al principio, pero despues de ver su pagina, me di cuenta que realmente si estan tratando de connectar con sus followers y todavia no han mandando el primer mensaje promocional. Then again, they are a brand, what would you expect? You can’t blame them from trying.
Raul-parece que tu eres el que estas tratando de aprovechar el nombre de la empresa para creer viral content. Te aseguro que no eres el primero ni seras el ultimo que les mando a pedir informacion. It seems like your EGO was the one hurt, get over it!

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Que raro otra persona anonima! Que no conoce lo que es un ataque viral.

Todas las personas que comentaron se identificaron esperaria lo mismo de ustedes.

Entenderia eso de una empresa pequeña pero una grande con muchísimos recursos no hay excusa.

Victoria

NO trabajo ni tengo nada que ver con Sears, pero si trabajo para una empresa grande y la verdad no quiero poner mi nombre y que eso afecte a la compania despues.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

So sad that the company does not allow you to be yourself or speak your mind. I guess you sit a cublicle feeling like a corporate logo all day.
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

So sad that the company does not allow you to be yourself or speak your mind. I guess you sit a cublicle feeling like a corporate logo all day.

Rebecca

Thats quite a condescending remark above.
If you know anything about social media- if I identify myself as someone from a certain company – then I am supposed to act as a representative of that company and follow their poilicies regarding social media…

I won’t have you tracking me down or posting messages to my company about MY thoughts. I looked at your Twitter and Facebook page you are trying to tweet to sears latino about your blog and asking for a reponse, what do you want from them? An apology? an interview? Carmen’s thoughts on you posting every correspondence she had with you? (won’t happen- she is a representative of the company in that space)
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Well you just confirmed it. I know of many companies that allow their employees to voice their opinions with just creating the disclaimer that you are voicing your opinion not the companies. But enough free consulting for you since you seem to rack up a hefty fee looking at the place you work for.

So you think it is right for you to trace my accounts and review who I am. I don’t have a problem with that because I have something you will never have and that is full transparency. I will let you continue writing will I document and submit to your employer since you just confirmed you are voicing their opinion!
Rebecca

Raul, all of your information is here on your website to see. Not hard.

Yes that consulting was so useful- I hope you don’t charge for that. The company I work for is a moot point when it comes to my opinion I don;t need to identify myself to you. My main reason for not fully disclosing my company is I see what you tried to do above. You didn’t leave the experience as a generic one- you named names and copied tweetsbeack and forth- something I think could have been avoided. I don’t need you coming to my job attacking me as you did above.

I think you miss the point of my posts, just because you ask for something doesn’t mean you get it when you’d like. If they told you to “wait in line” as you stated above – why couldn’t you? I just don’t see why you think they need to please you by having someone interviewed by you.
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

If you have the guts to say attack you should disclose yourself. If not then we can clearly see you have an agenda in supporting Sears your client!
Rebecca

Ok You can say I have an agenda- just like if Sears Latino responded here to your posting. No answer they could give you could satisfy why you THINK you deserved to interview someone ASAP.

A group of us discussed your post yesterday and I just wondered why you think you are owed something because someone followed you on Twitter? In the timespan you wish them to engage in? Its amazing that someone that thinks they know about social media thinks that they will win by such unprofessional behavior.

I have the guts to say attack because it wasn’t done nicely. you could have left the company and Twitter handle and Carmen out of your story. You tweeted it to them and asked for a response- what do you want from them now? Do you still want to engage about their efforts?

http://twitter.com/toxic_lunch Toxic Lunch

It’s useless to argue with corporate drones. They only follow 2 things: suits and money.

”Customer Service” is another word for herding the cattle and Twitter has become a new grazing pasture for these big companies.

They want to infiltrate everything you do, even your thinking. Just to be able to create another consumer for their masters. Fuck em.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

I could of not said it any better. A bunch of drones who like @22f9d96bcb258b86b59fb311d2164ad2:disqus are sitting a cubicle taking commands from their masters.

Rebecca

You cannot stay away from petty comments about people can you- ?
“taking commands from their masters”? ”drones” “feeling like a corporate logo” nice condescending comments and views about people who work for corporations. I wonder what businesses support you and your obvious lack of respect for people who choose a corporate career. This show another side to your lack of professionalism. People who pay you to “consult” must not see this side of you. You just must suck up to them at some point to make your money. Everyone is a “consultant”..

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

C’mon you don’t even exist. Rebeca is a Drone we all know that!

Different to Rebecca I am a real person that if you speak to most of my customers I don’t BS them and I make sure I treat them like humans ( I also make sure to treat my clients customers as human too). I also don’t hide my way of thinking as you can see on my blog.

So drones like yourself that are slaves of the Corporate masters can call me unprofessional and all the good terms “LEGACY” Drones like Rebecca who does not exist because her real identity has to hide and attack a blogger trying to get a point across.

Different to you that is my point of view and I don’t need to hide. So sad for you unfriendly drone! Just as @twitter-14875623:disqus mentioned continue following the suits and the money. Have a good one!

El Drono

Wow. I havent read such a bunch of crap-o since the last time I browse through El Nuevo Día. Look buddy, I think your intentions are good but you are coming across as a major douche. This is what I get from your post:

1. Normally people are happy to be followed, unless is obvious spam or a fake account. You, on the other hand, feel like this social media expert that you must get prior written permission before following him. Look for the block feature dude.

2. You obviously have no freakin’ clue on the processes and regulations employees of large corporations must follow, and don’t show any respect for the individuals that work in them. Nunca digas de esta agua no beberé, I don’t want to see you working on a large corporation dude.

3. You request an interview, via DM. Via DM. Via DM!!! To Sears! An interview request via DM!!! and you have the balls to criticize them for not giving you an interview?!!? Look, here’s their phone number (847) 286-2500. Are you Oprah?

4. You are a consultant right? Do you have the resources to manage such a big account? Do you know what it entails? Do you know how many guidelines and employees must be behind this account. If you haven’t work on a project of this magnitude, please don’t offer your advice. I see a bunch of post on your blog, but not many on specific client work. Show us the money.

5. Have you read about turning negatives into positives? Why don’t offer constructive criticism to Sears? Maybe give them a little bit of free advice on how to reach the local connected people? Nothing sadder than a wasted opportunity just because you see the negative before the positive.

Yes anonymous, so you can go ahead and discard it. I am not a Drone, but I might as well be a ‘dron’ were your reality just crashed.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Wao classy.. I think you need to re-read the post. Good idea on using a proxy. My bet is that you are in someway tied to Sears and are or should be on there payroll. You decide.

Rebecca

Raul, I think people don’t want any connection to you acting the way you did in your post above.
Yes as El Drono said- it is douchey! And you think they owe you an interview? You unfollowed @searslatino and wrote the blog post above and then want them to comment on it? Ha! Yes the requesting an interview for SEARS via DM was douchey – via a social media moderator no less! Its amazing how you think they OWE you something? Then you can’t take NO for an answer? It wasn’t the most eloquent no from @Searslatino , but you got the point, right?
The the “drone” insults and “alias”BS for people who post here about it.. you need to grow up! You don’t see the social media people you quote and try to “hob knob” with posting stories and calling people out like you did above. Unprofessional!

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Rebecca, Being able to express yourself without hiding behind an alias is something very liberating. I guess you most have ended your shift at your employer which I am sure you would defend in a similar situation.

Did you make the appointment at the Eye Doctor you seem to read what is beneficial to Sears!

Rebecca

Try asking Walgreens (who doesn’t have a PR department) for an interview via their Twitter handle @walgreens There’s another company with a”Latino initiative” you can interview them about.. lets hear about it when they send you a “diversity” brochure. You can BLOG about it!
Here’s more @kraftfoods @viginairlines @dell @pillsbury @united
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Rebecca,

I have always had great response from the individuals at @dell many great stories I have experienced with them although I use a Mac they have always stepped to the plate although I requested info from them. Do a Quick search on Corporate Social Media Guidelines where the folks at Dell and a few other like you and MR Drono can see how I have interacted with them. The only difference is none of those companies offered me something to retract!
Rebecca

Sears didn’t offer an interview to you, Carmen offered to answer questions. I’m sure you didn’t DM Dell to request and interview with them? Carmen didn’t offer an interview to you. You might have gotten one if you weren’t so quick to jump the gun. I’m sure they are laughing at you.

PS, Are you deleting posts on here? I seems like there were more that suddenly disappeared.
http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Well we have 95% of the comments from your crew with false accusations and all the posts are up. Different from your partner Sears where they don’t want to hear what others day.

You are talking about being nice however you continue with accusations. I have never deleted a post on this blog.

For the record Dell would gladly give me an interview. You are making so many assumptions and contradicting yourself. Such false courage but you don’t dare to identify yourself. You are in for a surprise tune in.. Ohh wait you have been camping in on my blog for the last few days!

El Drono

Re-read it. Not associated with Sears. Still stand by my comments. So everything was fine until they declined an interview. You cannot wait in line. Do you write a negative blog post every time a company hurts your ego?

There are channels to everything, you just don’t get it. Why don’t you ask the following individuals/corporations for interviews via Twitter, see what you get in response: Starbucks, Best Buy, ATT, Ford, Bill Gates, Mark Cuban, Guy Kawasaki, Richard Branson, Adobe, Cisco, Coca Cola, Jet Blue, Jeep, McDonalds, etc.

Try a few, you have beef for a new post.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Funny how both of the people making all these comments are near Chicago… But take a look around the blog and do a quick search so you can see a few of those companies mentioned. Different to you I am not a fan of companies I am a fan of people not retracting themselves.
http://scottmonty.com scottmonty

Ford responds all the time on Twitter. When we do “outreach” we recognize that we’re not there as part of a “calendar,” but as part of the ongoing conversation. We talk with people not at or to them. We understand that people are there for a dialog and we try to answer questions as best we can, tracking down subject matter experts as necessary.

Scott Monty
Global Digital Communications
Ford Motor Company

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

Scott,

I am so happy you stopped by and gave your thoughts on Fords point of view. I have always admired your approach at handling social media and I had the pleasure to meet @alvaroatFORD:twitter during hispanicize. In my opinion Alvaro really knows what keeping the conversation going is all about.

Thanks for the visit Scott!
Anonymous

LOL! Man, the conversation ends with this comment. Everyone just, you know, shut up, you’re all coming across as idiots.

Good job Scott.

ps. Not being sarcastic above.

ps.2. Congratulations to Sears for making the list of “Brands that will disappear in 2012″.

Anonymous

Bro, we get interviews from Twitter all the time.

Anonymous

Wow, you don’t get it. Just saying.
Droning for $

I totally agree with El Drono, Raul- the way you went about things is wrong. Who’s to say they wouldn’t grant you an interview in the future?

You really don’t have a clue as to how many people are involved in a large company as Sears. I’m sure by answering “questions” she meant the type people usually ask via social media- store locations, and sales promotions, possibly even charitable information. Not an interview request!

Your interaction here isn’t thoughtful or respectful. Sears will not be commenting on “your blog” . You did miss a chance to have a great “come to jesus” conversation about listening and social media with them. Your response was heavy-handed.

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments once again. They are helping me get more traffic visit as often as you like. But please stay around and introduce your real name!

http://twitter.com/tonytorero tonytorero

Wow! this has turned into quite the topic. Let me preface this comment by stating that I enjoy reading Raúl’s blog and have for some time. I find him to have an opinion, state that opinion and be passionate about it, which is something I respect. That’s what I see has happened in this case. I have to be honest too, I agree with the premise of his argument in this piece as well.

I respectfully tell those who’ve commented at this piece from Sears that you come off as being rather ‘defensive’ in comments you make to this piece. In my humble opinion and speaking as a technology and social media professional, I don’t know that it serves your service focused, customer-centric cause well to reply in this tone. I don’t read any malice in the writer’s tone & message. He’s disagreeing with a tactic he feels you’ve taken.

I hope that I don’t make anyone angry by offering this observation. Feel free to take it or leave it but I shop at Sears, I am Latino and I am an active technologist & social media professional and I’ve come away from reading this thread feeling that Sears took an excessively defensive tone to a respected social media professional offering an open & honest and very direct criticism of a social media encounter that was first initiated by @SearsLatino:disqus … But isn’t this a cultural trait & hallmark that we Latinos are wonderful at… offering very direct advice & observations? I don’t see why we wouldn’t celebrate this in this case.

Pues eso… There’s my .02 for what it’s worth… I for one, would love to see you all agree to let Raúl interview you. I’ve found him to be a gentleman and fair professional in all of my social media interactions with him.

Salu2,
Tony
http://twitter.com/mzelma Elma Placeres Dieppa

Imagine my surprise when Sears Latino started following me and soon after sent me a DM letting me know about their discounted shipping to Latin America…even though my bio clearly states I’m in Chicago…

So this post simply isn’t anti large corporations, its how large corporations can do better, like reading about the people they are talking to, unless their sm plan is to throw it against a wall and see what sticks.
Rebecca

Hi Raul, I am writing now after reading your comments and talking to a friend of mine that maybe I took my argument a little too far and personally. I don’t think you were trying to be malicious in your post, I just was feeling it a little more personally being in a social media position. I apologize for crossing the line a bit on your blog. It wasn’t my intention in the beginning then I let my personal feelings escalate. I apologize and thank you for the nice chat we had about relationships with companies, I do “get” what you are saying and hope you kinda get how I took it. Thanks for the discussion, it is very interesting. – R

http://raulcolon.net Raul Colon

I apology accepted hopefully I gained a new reader on my blog and you don’t have to agree but at least the fact that you saw my point make me smile.

Anonymous

Well done to you Raul! Interesting reading this having just read the Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk – this is exactly how to not to have a social media strategy and presence.

Great case study!