Tag: social media

Fake

Fabrizio1 Comment

[During the first three quarters of 2019], Facebook has shut down 5.4 billion fake accounts on its main platform, but millions likely remain, the social networking giant said Wednesday. That’s compared to roughly 3.3 billion fake accounts removed in all of 2018.

CNN Business, full article here

Let that sink in.

In Q3 2019, Facebook reported 2.4 billion monthly active user, and at the same time they had to remove almost 600 million fake users per month since the beginning of the same fiscal year.

The fact that Facebook is doing something about it is praiseworthy, yet isn’t it perhaps time to have a first principles look at how social media accounts are created?

Prompt response

FabrizioLeave a comment

There are very few cases in which a prompt response is required.

The more infuriating, unnerving, frustrating of messages demand that you take a step back. Clear your mind, go for a walk, take a full night of sleep, pause for a few days if necessary. Process what is going on within you, try to not second guess the sender, talk about it with someone you trust. Honestly evaluate if an answer is really needed. And if it is, when the time comes, craft it as if the person you most love and respect would be the recipient.

The damages made by prompt responses are immense. What is written or said once can never be taken back.

Find and nurture

FabrizioLeave a comment

Communities are built because of the active commitment of a small number of people.

Starting something, anything, with the masses in mind is nonsensical and counterproductive. Only a small fraction of the full potential audience is going to pick up your message, use it as trait to signal their identity, and spread it.

Your job is to find them and nurture them.

The art of saying something

FabrizioLeave a comment

There are a few things an organization should consider if they decide to release a statement, publish a social media post, say something about the events of these days.

First, make sure the words shared are considered and consistent. Nobody needs more rage, nobody wants your organization to use this to clean their slate or take the spotlight.

Second, understand that you will have to take a stand. Now is not the time for long sentences, ambiguous words, balancing acts, politics and public relations.

Third, appreciate that silence is just a fake option. You might decide against going public with your thoughts, and in doing that you are clearly signalling what your organisation stands for.

Seeking attention

FabrizioLeave a comment

Pure advertising is still something many companies invest heavily into, often along with the complementary public relations. I am sure they are important and they matter to some brands, but before putting resources behind it, particularly startups and small business should consider one simple fact.

People hate advertising so much that when given the choice many prefer to pay to skip it.

Netflix (vs cable TV), Spotify, YouTube are the most popular examples. And if that’s the case, what kind of attention will your ads get the next time they air?