KiKi L’Italien has declared March 19, 2010 “Love a Lurker Day.” This is not the first Love a Lurker Day, but it is the first this year (that I know about from my own lurking.) When we talk about lurkers, we’re talking about the percentage of people classified as spectators on Forrester’s Social Technographics ladder. Spectators read blogs, but they don’t write posts or comment themselves. They watch YouTube videos, but they don’t comment or add their own videos. They look at what’s trending on Twitter, but they don’t tweet from their own account. So, in celebration of Love a Lurker Day, I offer this love letter…thus proving my steadfast and honest affection for all our anonymous peeps who care enough to read and watch what we do.

Dear Lurker,

You probably hate it when I call you that. It’s not much of pet name, really. I’ll work on that–coming up with something nice to call you. Maybe I’ll call you my rock, my foundation, the air I breathe, the water the SocialFish swim in. You are vital. Without you we are lost.

I’ve made some mistakes, but you’ve always stood by. Even when I use too much lingo, jargon, and code-speak. Funny story…I almost titled this post “I <3 Lurkers” (that’s a heart there). Then I looked at it and thought–that’s exactly why I was a lurker for so long myself. We crazy online people have our own language, and it seems like the more obscure we are, the more we congratulate ourselves. Yeah. I know. I’m guilty. Forgive me?

And I know sometimes you feel like you can’t get a word in edgewise. We just babble on and on. You’re always such a generous listener. And you never call me out when I’m being silly or unclear. You can, you know. Call me out. I deserve it more than you let on. And I know you have great ideas of your own. I take responsibility for your reticence. I promise to do everything I can to make you feel comfortable here.

Through it all, my dearest lurking friend, you’ve been there for me and I promise to be there for you. You…complete me. Please know that you’re in my heart always.

Love,
Lindy

If you were moved by my overtures, please reveal yourself to us! Leave your first comment on the SocialFish blog, and tell us anything you want us to know about you.