I wasn’t sure what to write about today, so I decided to throw it out to my Facebook friends, and got a few interesting questions from some folks. Rather than just taking one of the topics and writing an entire post, I decided to answer some of the questions that were asked in a shorter form.
Why? Because I’m feeling lazy at the moment.
So here are a few of the suggestions and questions, and my responses to them. Oh, and I may have taken some liberties with the actual wording of the questions. Also, some of these questions may or may not actually have been asked. But they are all important in their own way.
1. Rebecca from Nashvegas asks, “What’s the average growth rate of a Facebook page, so I have something to compare myself to?”
Well, Rebecca, I’m not sure that’s a good question. I never really liked averages in this kind of thing, because that assumes some sort of constant. But every business or organization is different, and attracts different types of audiences. Naturally, a page geared toward a more “senior” audience will probably grow at a much slower rate than one geared toward a younger audience, due to the fact that there are fewer of those older folks on the platform. Also, everyone uses their page differently. Some post once a week, while others post several times a day. Some do ads or promoted posts, while others rely solely on organic growth. While you could probably find an “average,” I believe that with so many variables, it really doesn’t give you anything to measure against properly. It’s like comparing apples to unicorns.
2. Joe from D.C. asks, “Is it too early for a baseball post?”
Joe, it’s never too early. Because as author W.P. Kinsella notes in his book, Shoeless Joe,
“Baseball is the most perfect of games, solid, true, pure and precious as diamonds. If only life were so simple. Within the baselines anything can happen. Tides can reverse; oceans can open. That’s why they say, “the game is never over until the last man is out.” Colors can change, lives can alter, anything is possible in this gentle, flawless, loving game.”
Oh, and opening day is just weeks away. Can’t wait!
3. Another Joe, this one from Boston and a Red Sox fan, says, “I heard there is awesome new book out on raising money for businesses. The author’s mother called it “wonderful”.”
Why, yes, Joe. There is. I believe it is called, Fundraising with Businesses: 40 New and Improved Strategies for Nonprofits, by some chump named Joe Waters. it’s quite a lovely book, and I’m actually staring at an autographed copy of it right now. The author even referred to me as “wicked funny.”
There. Are you happy?
4. Rachel from Harrisburg asked a few questions which I’ll combine in one, “What are your top 5 ‘what the heck’ moments and unsolvable mysteries of social media.”
Rachel, I can roll all of that into one: Trying to interpret Facebook insights. It can’t be done, and follows no rules of logic in the universe as we know it. That is all. If anyone can figure out how a post can get 11 likes and have a reach of 3, please let me know.
5. LauraEllen from Pittsburgh, by way of Lancaster, asks: “How do you combat the negative side effects of eating bacon?”
Sigh. I have way too many vegan friends. Well, LauraEllen, if by “negative side effects” you mean “utter joy transcending all other joys, with a side order or yumminess,” well then all I can say is, why would I even want to combat that?
6. Janelle from Lancaster wonders, “If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you choose as your travel partner?”
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska, Australia, Germany, or England. But, if I only had one choice I’d probably say the Pennsylvania Bacon Festival in Philly on May 10th. And I’m not sure who I’d want to choose as a travel partner, but it surely won’t be LauraEllen!
7. Ken from Lancaster asks, “Don’t you have a birthday coming up soon?”
Oh, good question, Ken. My birthday happens to be coming up next week, on March 12th. And I like gifts. Cash and food work well.
8. Sue from Lancaster wonders, “How have you allowed your children to live so long?”
To clarify she adds: “Some species eat their young. I think of this when my son is less than adorable. Your children have had less than adorable moment,s too. How have you allowed them to not end up on your dinner table.”
Sue, just because I’m not a vegan doesn’t mean I’m a cannibal. But yeah, they have had many of those “less than adorable” moments. But that has slowed down quite a bit since I’ve locked them all in the basement.
9. Cher from Lancaster asks, “How did you transition into what you do now? What was the path that lead you to blogging and social media?”
Hmm, interesting question. My background is in radio, first as a DJ and later in radio news. Left that to go to grad school and took a more academic turn in terms of studying the sociology and history of communications in general, and radio more specifically as the Radio Curator at the Museum of Television & Radio in NYC. Later, I edged my way into other media and marketing roles and also did a lot of writing along the way. It was just sort of a natural transition or evolution that happened without me really noticing. Every job I’ve had has had it’s good points and bad points, but it’s been an interesting journey.
10. Craig from Reading inquires, “How will the intersection of effective social media and 3D printing (additive manufacturing) open doors for innovative marketplace disruption for small businesses?”
This is a really good question, Craig. I could go into a rather long and academic answer for you, but I’m not sure you would fully understand it. The short, simple answer is that this technology will allow me to fax myself anywhere in the world for a vacation. Or I can send myself to your house in the middle of the night via Facebook chat and steal your stuff. But I’d never do that…
11. Brian from Iowa wonders, “ If you have an idea for fundraising for a nonprofit, how do you get them to answer their email? I’ve been trying to get someone to let me raise funds for them, but nobody will write me back. It hurts my feelings.”
Actually a very good question, Brian, and I think I have an answer, or perhaps two. I think first, you could approach them about making a donation. All nonprofits need donations, and then once you establish the relationship, go from there. If that doesn’t work, send them a check for something around a gazillion dollars, which is sure to bounce (unless you happen to be a very wealthy published author of mystery novels), and the bounce will get their attention so that THEY will want to contact YOU. BOOM!
12. Dan from somewhere in New Jersey wants to know, “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?”
I dunno, probably people from Jersey. I mean they were afraid of a fake alien invasion, so why not?
13. Nicole from Lancaster says, “You are a superhero. What’s your superpower?”
Why, thank you, Nicole! I appreciate you saying that. In fact, my superpower is the ability to convince people that I’m a superhero. Kinda like Fonzie never had to beat anyone up because everyone was convinced that he could and would. Or…maybe I’m making that all up and I really DO have other super powers…
14. Eric from Columbia, PA wants to know, “Why do you hate Coldplay so much?”
It’s not that I hate them. I just find them boring. I think they are a cheap imitation of a child of U2 and Radiohead. But I don’t hate them. At least they have one thing going for them: they’re not Nickelback!
Well, that’s all for Ken’s Mailbag today. Keep asking questions and perhaps I’ll have more answers for you.
via:http://inklingmedia.net/2014/03/07/ask-ken-reader-questions-answered/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InklingMedia+%28Inkling+Media%29#.UyItSj9dXGA
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