TwiTip’s Top Ten ‘Must Follow’ Niche Twitter Lists were such a hit that I’m proposing a Top Ten FriendFeed Friends Challenge and would love it if YOU would participate. I’ve added a post on How Using FriendFeed Benefits You as further encouragement.
To kick it off the challenge here are my choice of exceptional Top Ten favorite FriendFeed users:
- Louis Gray – Who else to kick off the list but our friendly neighborhood FriendFeed expert himself. Check out the latest post in his blog by guest writer Jesse Stay: Pull Your Blog Into FriendFeed and Increase Exposure.
- Robert Scoble – I really started using FriendFeed because I wanted to join Robert Scoble’s discussion and talk to him directly. Read Scoble on Tech on the FastCompany blog. Visit his FriendFeed discussions any time or the ScobleRoom on Thursdays.
- Mike Fruchter – Check out his series of FriendFeed Users to Follow on his Michael Fruchter Blog. You can start your FriendFeed profile by checking out his first thirty recommendations. (Direct links at the end of this post.)
- Tamar Weinberg – From StumbleUpon to Twitter to Friendfeed to all her blogs, who doesn’t love Tamar? Catch up with her wherever you hang out. You won’t regret it. Be sure to check out her Avatar at StumbleUpon for your grin of the day!
- ProBlogger – Did you know there is a Problogger Room at FriendFeed? If you’re serious about blogging this is one room you’ll want to frequent.
- LifeHacker – Popular LifeHacker blog offers Tips and Downloads for Getting Things Done – [NOTE: Tamar and others have pointed out that they are NOT active at FF. I selected them on the quality of their blog but they only have a feed at FF.]
- Zee – a prolific blogger on cutting edge technology.
- Tim Hoeck – everyone can use a good programmer friend. Check out Tim’s blog and you might even finally figure out How to Use Yahoo Pipes – or maybe not (unless you’re a true geek).
- Hutch – You’ll find some truly interesting tech posts and a dose of humor in his Hutch Tech Blog.
- Gregory Lent – Read his insights on PostLinearity Beyond Linear Thinking
Why use FriendFeed? The number one reason for me is that you can have a discussion with people who are usually inaccessible because they’re so well known and so busy. You can sometimes chat with them live and other times weigh in on a conversation whenever you’re available and see the answers later.
It is also a fast, easy way to see all the posts someone has made in each of their blogs. If they have several (or many!) you can view them sequentially by just clicking on the orange feed buttons that look like this:
(Not everyone knows about feeds yet and we like to help everyone get up to speed.)
Special thanks to Derek Semmler for being the first major blogger to answer our challenge. Don’t miss the major Social Networking experts on Derek Semmler’s Top Ten Favorite FriendFeed Friends List (some of which I should have remembered to include on my own!).
NEW: Thanks to Joe Dawson for jumping right into second with his favorite FriendFeed Friends in the comments. Check out Eric Berlin’s Online Media Cultist Blog whose Follow These Ten People on FriendFeed and Your Social Media Powers Will Be the Stronger For It came in a close third.
There is an additional benefit to the challenge that we hadn’t considered. Each of the bloggers who’ve entered so far have added comments on their favorite FriendFeed users AND their take on why and how they use FriendFeed.
One of the best is Software Developer April Russo’s Cranial Soup’s entry My Top Ten FriendFeed Friends. If you’re new to FriendFeed read her post
We’re off to a good start, but we can do MUCH better. We would love to hear from YOU too!
UPDATE: ELITE FRIENDFEED FRIENDS LISTS:
- Robert Scoble’s Top Tech Blogger FriendFeed Social Media List
- Elite Bloggers Joining FriendFeed in Droves
TOP FRIENDFEED FOLLOWERS LISTS:
- 10 People to Follow On FriendFeed for the Month of January
- 10 People to Follow On FriendFeed for the Month of December
- 10 People to Follow on FriendFeed for November
- 20 People You Should Follow on FriendFeed
- 14 People to Follow on FriendFeed for Eye Candy
- Online Media Cultist – Top Ten to Strengthen Your Social Media Prowess
RESOURCES ON HOW TO USE FRIENDFEED:
- NEW: How to Get the Most out of Social Networking (Posted at Mashable, written by Wendy Boswell.)
- 15 Secrets of FriendFeed Power Users (Posted at LouisGray, written by Daniel J. Pritchard of Sharing at Work)
- FriendFeed is Google Bait + 25 Ways to Use It
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I have to give credit where it is due. The article you gave me credit for was written by Jesse Stay: http://www.friendfeed.com/jessestay
I’ve written more than my fair share of FriendFeed related articles, to be sure, but that one is all him. Thanks for including me.
PS — can you turn on full feeds in your RSS?
I have been following many members on your list for a while. However most if not all are from the tech or social media niche. Friendfeed although still an early adopter tool needs the air to breath out of this space in order to gain mainstream appeal. Twitter gained this since it embraced the masses and not just a particulat niche. Maybe this is friendfeeds curse or is it its gift?
This friendfeed thing is pretty amazing.
I know what you telling to say here.. i will read next time.
Twitter: @GrowMap
I have clarified the authorship on that post and also added clarification on another post on your blog but written by someone else. Thank you for letting me know.
I’ve turned on full feeds just for you.
I’ve seen others requesting full feeds elsewhere so probably for the best.
Excellent choices!!! FriendFeed is really amazing. Probably the *best* social application on the planet! Community is rich, lively, and genuinely engaging and fun – lots of debate, collaboration and awesome conversation!
Susan Beebe
http://friendfeed.com/susanbeebe
@susanbeebe on twitter
Twitter: @dereksemmler
Great idea to expand the challenge to other social networks! I’ve shared my list of FriendFeed friends to follow on my blog with 10 people worth following.
Twitter: @hedwyg
Since I recently moved home to telecommute instead of working from an office, FriendFeed is now my surrogate for water-cooler chat. I love being part of this fun place, surrounded by so many smart, tech-savvy people who aren’t afraid to let their hair down and have fun, to ask and answer tech questions, or to have rational and intelligent debates on current events. So I’m not going to recommend people to follow based on their expertise in any particular area, but because they’re interesting and fun to interact with.
That said, my ten are (in alphabetical order by handle):
- Carmen (boxercab)
- Stupid Blogger (aka Tina) (isthisstupid)
- Alex Scoble (itblogger)
- Jill, Superhero Librarian (jilibrarian)
- The Haleys – Josh (joshhaley), Trish (trishhaley), and Morgan (mrbento) – and yes, I cheated by combining three in one!
- Mark Wilson (markwilson)
- Matt Musgrave (mattmusgrave)
- Shey Smith (shey)
- Abby Martin (whynaut)
- Zee (zee)
It was really hard to choose, because there are so many amazing people on FriendFeed, sharing themselves and their lives, and building a true community.
hmm, hard but not so hard
If I could choose my top 10, they would be:
1. Kol Tregaskes (http://friendfeed.com/koltregaskes)
2. Rahsheen (http://friendfeed.com/rahsheen)
3. Mona N. (http://friendfeed.com/monasfeed)
4. (jeff)isageek (http://friendfeed.com/jeffisageek)
5. popurls (http://friendfeed.com/popurls)
6. Michael J. Cohen (mjc) (http://friendfeed.com/projct)
7. RAPatton (http://friendfeed.com/pattonroberta)
8. Robert Scoble (http://friendfeed.com/scobleizer)
9. Louis Gray (http://friendfeed.com/louisgray)
10. Steve Rubel (http://friendfeed.com/steverubel)
Naturally I like to reward those who use FF religiously — they make you WANT to go back. Without these guys, you wouldn’t.
btw, I’d argue with your #6 choice. All that you get there is their feed spit back in FriendFeed format. I wrote for LH for over a year, so I should be biased, but I’d prefer active users in the top 10 compared to a feed that you can subscribe to via RSS or email (or that’s even available on Twitter–oh yes, it is).
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Ladybug Heather – Yes, I see FF that way too. Thank you so much for adding your list. I love your creativity (three in one! lol). I’m not much for strict rules. They’re just guidelines, no?
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Tamar Bless you for offering your list and your feedback. I’m fairly new to FriendFeed and missed that it was only a feed. I totally agree with you.
You may know as much about using Social Networking sites as anyone. I would LOVE to read a post by you about which of the Social Networking sites you’d use if you were to start an entirely new profile. I’d also love to read more on how you’re currently using the various Social Networks.
One challenge I have with following you is knowing WHERE to follow you! You write for so many different blogs. If you’ve already written on these topics or there is a place where you write about this subject more than others do please share it with us? Thank you.
Robert Scoble
Louis Gray
Mona N.
Paul Buchheit
Kol Tregaskes
Mitchell Tsai
Duncan Riley
Zee.
Thomas Hawk
michael arrington
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Joe Thanks for being one of the first to see the value of entering the FriendFeed Challenge! I see we have identified some of the same major players. I hope you find many other posts here useful to your blogging.
@ Eric Thanks for the Pingback. I’ve linked your blog into the body of this post. I hope my readers take the time to read the reasons you selected each of your Top FriendFeed Users.
Twitter: @GrowMap
That last link is from Mike Fruchter’s must-read Thoughts on Social Media blog. I highly recommend following him both by subscribing to his blog and adding him at FriendFeed.
@growmap No problem I am always happy to assist where possible
I suck. I never saw your response.
But now I do!
“I would LOVE to read a post by you about which of the Social Networking sites you’d use if you were to start an entirely new profile.”
Hrm, that’s hard to say. In October, Digg banned me (and I was a top 100 user). I’m not going back there even though the traffic is good because Digg is nothing but a gamed social site (on the other hand, it used to be a “social news” site — I purposely removed the word “news” from the designation). Building profiles is tough on a site where trust is really the most important factor for survival, and the time investment I spent is much better spent on real work and not profile building on a site that I think will hopefully die soon enough.
Which sites would I use, then? Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, LinkedIn, and FriendFeed, in addition to a plethora of niche sites (depending on one’s wants and needs).
“I’d also love to read more on how you’re currently using the various Social Networks.”
I don’t know if this will help, but check out this article: http://www.techipedia.com/2007/networking-on-different-social-sites/
Yes, techipedia is my main site. I don’t write there often (because a post takes 10+ hours to write and requires a LOT of brainstorming and thought… I guess I aim for quality over quantity), but when I do, I think it’s usually a good post.
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Tamar. When someone truly figures out how to stay on top of everything we leave scattered across the ‘Net then MAYBE we could feel bad about missing some. For now it is pretty amazing that you DID see this.
Thanks for the comments and the link. I’m going off to check out your article now. Quality always bests quantity in my book too.
Wow, what a treasure trove of good people to follow. I just discovered GrowMap. Thanks for the recommendations.
Adam Loving’s last blog post..Quotes from Seth Godin’s “Tribes”
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Adam. Welcome Adam. Now that you’ve discovered GrowMap, GrowMap has discovered you too. I’m off to check out your blog and share it at FriendFeed and Twitter. I hope you’ll check out the other content here as most of it is directly related to growing a blog.
Nice idea, many of such lists can follow up. Plus, this list is great, I just added most of them!
Abdulrehman’s last blog post..Do Firefox users really hate IE that much?
Twitter: @GrowMap
Welcome Abdulrehman. Your blog is certainly what many more bloggers would like to do: Make Money on the Internet. The best thing we can all do is support each others’ efforts which is why whenever someone comments here I go visit their blogs.
Then I select the most recent post that is most compelling and share it at FriendFeed and Twitter. I sometimes share multiple posts. This is my contribution to helping bloggers gain more exposure.
The more often someone comments here the more often I am reminded to check out their latest posts and share them. CommentLuv really helps with that.
I hope you’ll visit and comment often. I work online full time and spend almost all my waking hours spreading good content across the Internet. It may as well include yours.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..Have a Blog? You Win By Reading This Blog Review Contest Entry on Best Blog Design!
Hi Growmap, This is a really insightful read for me because i have just hooked up to friendfeed and i am still finding my feet so thanks for all the resources and great blog posts to check out.
Bill Masson (WWAH)’s last blog post..Free Advanced Link Cloaker
I just wanted add my vote to your “grin of the day” claim for Tamar’s SU avatar. Thats a happy avatar!
Twitter: @GrowMap
I love it. Every time I think of a really memorable, distinctive Avatar THAT is the one I see.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..WordPress 2.7 Threaded Comments Works In Thesis
Growmap would be nice to have dates on peoples comments? Nice blog.
Twitter: @GrowMap
When we upgraded to Thesis and turned on threaded comments we also picked up the dates and times you wished we had.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..WordPress 2.7 Threaded Comments Works In Thesis
Twitter: @GrowMap
@Bill Masson Good to know you’re here and at FriendFeed and Twitter. If those links did not answer all your questions do let me know and I’ll offer what I know or research to find what you need.
@Bill from CrosswordPuzzles Isn’t Tamar’s Avatar great? I really miss it where she doesn’t use it. I’m a fan of using Avatars instead of photos for many reasons.
@Gas forum You are absolutely correct that it is better to have dates on comments. Instead of updating this Theme we have been planning to change to Thesis as soon as my friend who handles the technical aspects can free up enough time to work on it.
He is a Project Manager and very busy with a major launch. To complicate things the current Theme is not widget-ized so there may be some major challenges involved.
We have added plugins including the Twitter comment field which will automatically add your Twitter account to all comments you have ever left and are planning to add threaded comments too.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..What IS a Social Media Expert?
Twitter: @BTL_Mortgages
I am very new to twitter, just trying to get my head around and don’t know much. Don’t laugh, but I seriously didn’t know how big it is.Thank you very much for these links, especially in my case for links in section :ON HOW TO USE FRIENDFEED. It will keep me busy for quite some time.
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Kate. Sorry your comment got caught by Akismet. I am very glad you inquired why. I do rescue real comments just about every day. Did you find the FriendFeed Twitter Quick Start post too? I will link it to the top link in this comment. (Not the CommentLuv featured post – the other one.)
You may also find some interesting information in the Social Networking category and Twitter and FriendFeed sub-categories. You can find those in the right sidebar (right column).
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..How to Create a Successful Blog Based Business Part 1
Twitter: @wowjoomla
I have been following many members on your list for a while. However most if not all are from the tech or social media niche. Friendfeed although still an early adopter tool needs the air to breath out of this space in order to gain mainstream appeal. Twitter gained this since it embraced the masses and not just a particulat niche. Maybe this is friendfeeds curse or is it its gift?
Twitter: @GrowMap
Welcome Joomla, Yes FriendFeed so far is for early adopters and I’ve blogged about why that is and what I wish they would do. Click on the post I’ve used as the link to this comment (not the Comment Luv link – the other one) to see what I suggested which they have never acknowledged no matter how many places and times I’ve offered it.
Twitter has broad appeal because it is not that difficult to figure out even for the non-technical. Even the least Internet savvy can type in a comment and click submit.
What every Social Media site really needs to do is make it very obvious and easy how to find what you’re interested in. As the post I suggested indicates StumbleUpon almost did it right before they were bought by eBay so now that they have been reacquired they might do it first.
Imagine you’re new to FriendFeed. How do you find those who share what you are interested in? You have to be somewhat savvy just to think to search. THAT is why it is still the playground of early adopters.
Add a link or two to lead folks into what a conversion expert would call a funnel and that would make a whole new game of it.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..How to Create a Successful Blog Based Business Part 1
Twitter: @tinababyk
I love friend feed, they are innovative, early adopters, they simply rock.
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Therapist,
I’m still sharing my best finds at FriendFeed as I have some major readers there. I wish Paul would acknowledge my communications / recommendations – so far not a peep from him. I would hope that Social Networking sites would be more “social” when their cheerleaders try to interact with them.
The founders of StumbleUpon (SU) bought it back from eBay so perhaps SU will be the Social Networking site that figures it out first and not FriendFeed.
Internet Strategist’s last blog post..Select Keywords First to Make Your Content Easy to Find
thanx for your list dude!
Twitter: @GrowMap
You’re welcome.
Internet Strategist’s last blog post..Intelligent Bloggers to Consider Reading
Twitter: @LCDenclosures
I will certainly ber using Friendfeed, along with Twitter, so see how I fair, with some of you guys results I should some good response.
I look forward to adapting my campaigns to find friedns in my niche.
Graham Gallagher
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hello Graham and welcome,
I use Twitter, FriendFeed and cliKball now and if I could get Tweecious to work I would share the links I add at Twitter at Del.icio.us. StumbleUpon was my favorite before eBay bought them so I may be heading back over there now that I replaced HughesNet and had a new PC built. Maybe they’ll work with SU where the old system would not.
Did you notice the posts on finding niche users at Twitter? Geo-Target Twitter is one of them. They are filed in the Twitter category here. There are more Twitter apps now so perhaps it is time I re-visited that issue and shared the results of new research.
Internet Strategist’s last blog post..How to Add Your Free Business Listing to infoUSA
Of all the social applications I have used FriendFeed is by far the best.
It will be interesting to see how it develops in the future in this fast paced sector.
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Lisa,
FriendFeed has always been a great place to have lively and complex discussions and now with the DM feature it is even better. I keep hoping they’ll respond to my post about Monetizing Social Networking sites to make all the quality content we share there more easily accessed.
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..How to Add Your Free Business Listing to infoUSA
Twitter: @ashergben
i love pro blogger.. he is very famous
belajar bisnis online´s last blog ..Tendangan maut wisata seo sadau
Twitter: @GrowMap
Yes, Darren is probably just as famous for the name ProBlogger as he is for his name – or even moreso. Given the Privacy Issues online I often use him as an example of why using your real name and photo are NOT really necessary.
It makes just as much sense to brand your blog name and Avatar with the added advantage of preserving your privacy and avoiding serious problems such as the death threats that Kathy Sierra and Michael Harrington faced.
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..Intelligent Bloggers to Consider Reading
Couldn’t agree more with your list, all those guys contribute so much to the community and you can learn some gems of wisdom from them if you’re lucky.
Twitter: @GrowMap
Welcome Agnes,
If I were creating the list today it would no doubt be much longer but I would still have those people in my favorites. I probably should update it with my special Must Read FriendFeed folks. I finally created a separate list to make sure I didn’t miss they share but especially to ensure I always see their blog posts.
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..Freelancer Challenges – Logo Graphic Designers
Twitter: @michaelfidler
This is the first time I’ve seen this post, but thanks Keith (a.k.a. Tsudo) idea today, I hope it gets a second wind!
Michael Fidler´s last blog ..@tsudo Thxs! Your post got me thinking about when I first joined friendfeed. I thought I deleted my original acct,but I just found it again!
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Michael and welcome,
Does that mean you have two FriendFeed accounts now? Which one should we use?
This one: http://friendfeed.com/mikeroblogger ?
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..Intelligent Bloggers to Consider Reading
Twitter: @michaelfidler
http://friendfeed.com/mikeroblogger is and will continue to be my main account. But, my original account, which is now renamed, is at http://friendfeed.com/notmikeroblogger. If I’m going to use it again, I will obviously figure out a more suitable name. But first, I need to figure out what I’m going to use it for. I never planned on having two accounts, but now that I do, I think it should have a purpose. I actually found a good use for it last night; I used it to do a research/experiment on friendfeed. I spent the better part of the evening testing out what it was like to be a new user again. If you’re interested, I’ll follow up in more detail what I learned. But basically; it was really boring! If you know of any good uses for a second account, I’m all ears. The one thing I have decided is to continue to use it only for comments, which is the way it was used when I started it. I’ve been making an effort in my regular account to comment more also. BTW: I hope you don’t mine if I add a list of my own here.
Twitter: @GrowMap
Thanks for the clarification. You could use one of them for different feeds. Some FF users have tons of feeds in their accounts and others only have their own blogs in them. Research might be a good idea. Use it to see how the FF experience varies depending on who you follow?
Have you read my post about Social Networking sites missing the boat on improving the user experience through making content on their interests and users who post it easier to find? That would also provide the very best way to monetize the site and provide a much needed way for small businesses to reach potential customers. See How to Optimize Social Networking Sites
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..Be Pro-Active and Take Calculated Risks
Twitter: @michaelfidler
No but I’ll read it. I just came by to grab the URL for this post, because I found a new person who is begging for help, but nobody’s come to her aid. I’m not surprised though. She’s only following 15 people. Somebody needs to make a quality screencast for new users. Oh, I’m leaning towards research right now. Have a great 4th of July!
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Michael,
There IS a video on how to use FriendFeed isn’t there? I better locate it and add it to this post. I would gladly assist anyone in need; however, there is no easy way for them to know who can help or how to reach them.
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..How to Add Your Free Business Listing to infoUSA
I just look at your list, some link are useful for me.
Thank you.
quang online´s last blog ..Online Marketing
Twitter: @GrowMap
Welcome Quang,
There is much more here about online marketing so I hope you’ll subscribe and take the time to look around.
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..How to Add Your Business to Merchant Circle
after your words more I just realized sharing is so important for improving.
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hi Alice,
There is so much to learn the only way to do it is to keep at it a little at a time.
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..Add a Twitter Field to Your Comments
Twitter: @iptools
I’m new to friendfeed but i just started updating my sites like 2 days ago so I am interested in learning more about it, Thanks for the post!
iptools@how to make money on the internet´s last blog ..Small Business From Home – Small Business From Home, Start A Cake Business
Twitter: @GrowMap
Hello ip,
Good luck with your sites. The most success comes from writing and researching what you know and love. Better to be a large fish in a small pond than a small fish in a large one.
Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..How to Create and Install Favicons
I have been using twitter daily, never used friendfeed, with you guys saying so much good things about friendfeed, its tempting me to taste friendfeed as well, let’s see how I like it!
thanks so much for sharing useful list,
ngan hang´s last blog ..Joomla! License Guidelines
Twitter: @michaelfidler
Thought I would say hi; just stopping by because I need to share your URL with a couple people. Hope all is well! Bye
Michael Fidler´s last blog ..Hidden by Edén Ochoa Iniesta
Hmm I looked at LifeHacker, wasn’t too impressed. However I do like Tamar Weinberg, and that was certainly a great choice, though I would put her at #1
Twitter: @petsugarglider
guess i’ll have to try friendfeed, i had never even heard of it. thanks for the nice list to get me started
momonga´s last blog ..The Perfect Pocket Pet, Sugar Gliders
Friendfeed’s advantage is that the market is more specific. May be a detriment for maximum revenue but as much fun as twitter is, it is a time hog because it is so broad.
Twitter: @boymc
Nice list, keep it going on. Thanks
Article Directory´s last blog ..The Story Of The MINI
I have been using twitter daily, always used friendfeed and happy.
Twitter: @ajinkyaforyou
i have account in friendfeed but i rarely used it ,
but heard of its innovative and all in one kinda functions , i feel like i gotta get the hang of it ;D
Ajinkya´s last blog ..Tweet To Win a Google Wave Invitation
I got into friend feed, wasn’t real happy with it at first.
Now it seems they have gotten it together, I am digging it.
I got into friend feed and digged it
i like
i used friendfeed but i dont know, havent gotten really into it, i even tried twitter and i cant get into that either, never the less a great read thank you