Tales About Web Tails: A Revelation

Image by Robert Scoble via Flickr

The Triond Scene:

The efforts of Triond to open worldwide markets for budding writers is a fact appreciated by all who love writing and such creative work. A closer look around the Triond scene, however, reveals some familiar and routine images. Mediocre poetry with no rhyme, theme or meaning is quite common. Ordinary articles looking like an advertising brochure with borrowed Wikipedia pictures and U-Tube videos BUT with plenty of “Views”,”I Like It”, and flowery “Comments”! So what is the True Tale behind the scenes? The inside story shows the writer to be an extrovert personality with ability to cultivate Net-Friends or ”back-scratchers” for one cent too many, promising “return-scratches”! Yes, it is an insider arrangement for mutual benefit between contributors. Simply put down, it means becoming a willing accomplice to the scheme– ”Give One Comment For Another In Return”.

Gentleman Writer’s Tips:

Not everybody is an extrovert, so what does the introvert writer do? The obvious answer is, write good poems, stories and articles without cultivating a back-scratch pack. Genuine creativity always finds an outlet and will always be appreciated. Likewise, news and views, facts and figures complete with good English phrases, idioms and a free flowing English writing style that showcases originality, will always stand out conspicuously. No point in fleecing undeserving comments under the guise of friendship. Of course, as they say, when in Rome do as the Romans do to be with the “in” crowd, wangling more hits with drab items. Incidentally, the connoisseur always appreciates good wine even if it is served in an ordinary goblet. However, the ordinary writer should not be confused with the really Great Writers. There are excellent Triond writers who are turning out original stories complete with Wikipedia pictures, U-tube videos, original snapshots and videos which proclaim a certain class and finesse.

The Scene Elsewhere:

Helium, though now shut to Asians in Asia as a matter of policy since March-09, displays a higher level of literary talent, creativity and potential for good earnings. There is ample scope for earning an honest cent by 1. Rating others’ articles and poems, and gaining Rating Stars; 2. Getting your own Writing Stars– Golden, Silver and Bronze Plumes by generating genuine creative output; 3. Competing for Literary Honours/Cash Prizes; and 4. Selling Specialised Articles/Contents for Open Market Purchasers. You can also invite famous authors and improve your professional standing on the Helium circuit. Besides, their Specialised Stewards offer free guidance in improving your writing skills and channelising your special talents. During a six-month period I had earned a number of Writing Stars, Rating Stars and a Silver Feather till they decided to enforce their special apartheid policy of shutting out non-Americans from their Internet Site!?

Bukisa, unlike Triond, offers a Private Invite Link–an official back-scratch tool, apart from the usual Facebook, Share, Twitter and e-mail channels to publicise your work, improve your own earnings and get more Bukisa Membership and Readership. So if you have a wide Friends’ Circle and possess that extrovert stamp, you can increase your views, comments and earnings. However, Bukisa’s Star Rating System which offers Readers an opportunity to Rate and Vote articles of their choice is one of a kind and is praiseworthy. In seven months I have received Readers’ Five-Star Ratings for 6-articles, and one unrated Article on Herbal Cures has secured over 100-Views in three months!

Conclusion:

Triond writers should strive to be more original and creative by “doing their own thing”– to borrow a Hippy phrase, because in the long run it may be better to be cent-wise rather than being dollar-foolish. Extroverts can of course continue to hobnob with the back-scratch pack for generating more “Views” and “Comments”, publishing their mediocre stuff, displaying long tails (undeserving comments) under short boring tales!