Have you been banned from Digg?
So, you were banned from Digg.com, eh? Well then, welcome to the ban clan. You see, nearly 12 months ago, I was also permanently banned from Digg.com. I was the first to go out of a bunch of other Diggers including Polymath22, EmoBrat, and several others. You could almost say that it’s eerie that it’s almost exactly a year has passed until yet another major Digger elimination.
But do not fret about your ban. Really; I grasp how it feels. It is unfair (in most cases) and very much an annoyance. It can also be shocking if you were a user who worked really hard on the site to promote good quality content. Trust me; the negative feelings will fade…
Why? Because there are alternatives to Digg: better alternatives. You can become more active at any number of social media web sites that are (arguably) of better quality than Digg.com, despite its sheer magnitude and traffic numbers.
Mixx is my individual preference, as it was the playground I went to cause mischief in when I was permanently banned from Digg. Like you yourself might find, it took me a little while to acclimate to playing in the Mixxiverse as opposed to the Diggnation. But those were early days, and you will get used to it really quick.
Since becoming a registered user of Mixx, I have become an administrative team member of the web site MixxingBowl.com, become co-host of the podcasts Social Blend and The Round Up, attained the status of being a top Mixxer with over 30,000 karma points, been bestowed SuperMixxer status, and – more importantly: developed some fabulous and exceptional online friendships that I never had as an active Digger.
And you could also accomplish as much, if not more so, if you become a registered user of Mixx as well.
In an atmosphere that is the complete opposite to that of Digg (and other social media sites for that matter), the staff of Mixx listen – I mean REALLY listen to their members, and the forums of MixxingBowl.com have provided a strong amplifier for Mixxers to have their say, voice their opinions, to which the Mixx staff take the time to reply to as well.
What’s more is that it is a vibrant and growing community. Some SEO marketing types might bleat that it does not generate traffic yet – but what is more important right now is the web site’s growth. The traffic (or “Mixx Effect” if you will) will come in time, with further content, posted by new users. The traffic stats for Mixx have been phenomenal since September of 2007, showing continual and consolidated growth.
Some members of the ban clan might be tempted to register a new Digg account and start afresh. But believe me; starting over at Mixx is easier than starting all over again at Digg. Think about it: you have to build up new friendships and connections, develop a new reputation, and literally start from scratch. At Mixx, the web site is still at the growing stages for you to be noticed; especially if you start following other Mixxers and spring into the Mixxing Bowl.
The other thing to consider is how hard it is to truly get noticed at Digg. You are competing against thousands of other submitters, in an atmosphere where your submissions are competing for the attention of millions.
At Mixx, the configuration of the site is so different that you will soon find yourself thinking about the quality of the content as opposed to simply numbers. Take it from me, and from many other former Digg users who are now at Mixx: Digg has become way too big.
Furthermore with repercussions at Digg (read: banhammer!), you get no warning and often no feedback. At Mixx, if you’re going off the tracks, 9 times out of 10 a fellow Mixxer will most likely hit you up and respectfully let you know how things usually run. And if anyone makes a serious offense, the Mixx staff generally reaches out to the user first.
So, if you want to, give Mixx a shot. I am sure you will find it a lot more fun than Digg. In addition, you might find some of these links handy:
An Open Mixx Challenge to Displeased Diggers
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