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Why Even The Smallest Political Post Can Make Some Fans Go Nuts
January 24, 2017
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From Inauguration Day to the Women's March this past weekend - I noticed folks from time to time getting upset with radio stations or talent for posting or tweeting what probably felt like "innocent content" around these events.
A few talent even reached out to me to ask why they were getting negative comments on social for posting about the Women's March.
Here's why the audience gets so angered with anything even slightly political.
First - if they did not follow you for your specific political beliefs - you blind side fans because you have now strayed from their expectations of you.
It doesn't mean they are right or you are wrong - it just means people typically look to you for an escape or for entertainment - nothing political.
But go a bit deeper - there's something overlooked.
When we share content socially - it's almost as if we're talking right in their face - like two inches away.
Think about it.
Over a billion (83%) Facebook users are mobile-only.
82% of Twitter's daily active users are mobile-only.
Snapchat reports 150 million mobile-only users each day.
Instagram has reached 600 million mobile-only monthly users.
And it's not just (nearly all) Millennials and Gen X'ers consuming social media content via mobile - Baby Boomers are glued to their device, too.
Social media at heart is personal.
And on top of that - consuming social media via mobile makes content feel even louder because we are literally in their face.
So we need to always ask how the content may feel - how it comes off - when consumed in their personal space.
The good news with all of this social media mobile consumption is that we can capitalize on the closeness it creates.
Rather than politics - you'll often find Andy & Alison at WIVK/Knoxville using Facebook Live to show a personal side to them that audience wouldn't typically get access to.
They fire up Facebook Live at the start of the show, and interact with fans during song breaks or stop sets.
And as common sense as this may feel, it's not always common practice.
This is what a good portion of your audience is looking for.
Some type of escape - a cure for boredom - or simply being the one brand/person that isn't talking politics.
I would never tell anyone what to post - it's totally their call on posting political beliefs - just keep things in perspective if people go nuts.
They thought you were their safe place.
And you're saying it two inches away from their face.
The social space can be intense and sometimes confusing - but if you always come at content from the fans' point of view - you'll do fine.
Reach out to me anytime on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
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