How to get people to read your FB posts on controversial matters...

[regevdl]

For years I have been posting my own commentary on current events on my personal FB wall.  I used to share memes and links and videos and spam my own damn page.  lol

 

 I stopped posting articles and links a few years ago and noticed something interesting.

 

I would go to source pages like the FBI criminal stats and such and instead of linking the page, I would simply type out the data on my wall and add my own commentary my own words.  Some of my posts are long or I post them as 'notes'.

 

There are times I will even quote Stefan directly, especially if I know the person doesn't like him or think FDR is a cult.  Then many times (it's amazing this has happened quite often), people will say, 'wow...that was well stated...where did you get that?"  Then I will reveal that it's from FDR, Stefan, etc.  They usually make some grieveance as to why they don't like FDR or whatever and then within a week or sometimes a month after I earned credibility with them I see them sharing Stefan's podcasts and Youtube videos!  lol  

 

On my wall posts I sort of break the ice by titling my posts with things such as 

Warning: hug room not included

 

or Popcorn Time...

another long-winded rant by ***** (my name), etc.  

 

I noticed after I stopped posting links and articles (unless it's REALLY REALLY worthy and even then I add my own commentary), that people would start to engage...but not much.  However I would get MUCH more response offline in private messages.  People 'following' me who aren't necessarily my FB friends.  people who are my friends but still afraid to go public with what they support etc.  

 

I can't tell you how many people thank me offline for simply providing additional information they otherwise would not have gotten through conventional sources. 

 

This past year I added another approach.... even though I get private messages of encouragement, it's not like a HUGE following so I sort of make myself appear bigger than I am (and mind you, this is my personal FB page...not a special interests page or politlical page). 

 

So, when a huge current event occurs (France attack, Orlando attack, etc)  I typically wait a few days to respond....I do this anyway because I do get emotional about these things and I like to have facts before I post ANYTHING.  Then, after the buzz online dies down and I have gathered my thoughts I write something like:

 

"my heart goes out to...... I have a lot to say about this but need some time to get my emotions out of the way to share my logical assessment of the situation..."

 

 

after a few days I will write something like:

 

"Thanks for all the private messages from friends/family and followers who have been asking me my take on xyz event...."   ".....I always like to take my time before posting my thoughts and usually do so in doses over the course of new information coming out...."

 

"...so for now my thought is......xyz"  

etc

 

 

I do this even if NO ONE private messaged me to ask for my thoughts.  lol

 

I tell you what, since I've been doing this I get FAR more engagement on my wall AND a ton more people are even sharing my posts of my 'long rants'., I don't curse or use hyperbole on my posts.  I just make argument and list facts and site the source such as 'fbi crime stats' rather than link it.  

 

If it's politcally or current event related, I will set the post to 'public'.  If it's my personal life and photos, I keep that only for friends, of course.  That way it reaches more people who aren't your friends without revealing your entire personal life. This has also increased 'shares' and likes and that's the name of the game to get our arguments out there.  I like the element that I'm just a regular gal...i'ts not a political or 'official' page of any special interest.

 

It has provided many fruitful conversations than before when my page was simply tumbleweed and crickets but filled with links and media and memes! lol  

 

I like the 'notes' approach since they are archived and easily.

 

I'm just sick of people being too damn scared to say things outloud and engage online for goodness sakes and I realized that if they feel like there are more people as afraid as them but at least admitting it offline (whether true in a given particular moment or not)....it brings them forward to engage, which is quite incredible and interesting. I rarely get people who attack me...even if they disagree I have had only one person in like 4 years get hostile and I simply wrote on the wall 'Can you tell me how many people you have convinced to your viewpoint by calling them a Nazi?"  and after that they left my wall and deleted their comments.  lol  SATISFACTION!! BWHAA!!  

 

Occassionally I post 

my wall is a Freedom-of Speech friendly wall.  I will never censor or delete comments or people.  If you do not want to see my posts, either hide or select me off of your feed or block me.  I ask that everyone keep it clean and civil but if you do not, your posts will only show as an example of your method and whether or not it's effective as I am not here to spend time deleting offensive material on my wall unless it's gory/bloody or pornographic.  Make your arguments in words...not photos.

 

This seems to disarm the trolls before they even consider engaging on my page, which saves time and frustration.  

 

If anyone tries this approach, do you mind reporting back to let us know if it works for you or not or share your experience?  I hope it works for you!!