experiment

PHOTO by mandy maarten

One of the most important goals in communicating is to be able to reach the intended audience.  The web provider DIGG I have found to be a place to find and distribute information.  DIGG For those of you not familiar with DIGG the simple explanation is that it is a social media platform on the web in which individuals share information from other web sites.  To get a better understanding of human nature in communicating I conducted a three day experiment with multiple posts of information.

1.    I found that 35% of individuals relate to information as if a drone.  They will take the same steps they always do when a piece of information shows up.  I confirmed this by specifically asking for an opposite reaction that one would only have done if they read the request first.

2.    I found that 70% of individuals only share what is within the DIGG community already and rarely post original content them selves.

3.    I found that it is necessary to have 51%-75% of the individuals promoting a persons post need to not be mutual friends.  The result is a sight that promotes not associating in public.  It compels a sub society to communicate.

4.    I found that the number of comments increases the likelihood of more people to read the posts.

5.    I found the automatic tracking by mutual friends of the posts could make it harder for posts to become popular because if the mutual friend shows they liked it, it makes it even harder to become popular.

6.    I found promoting posts of information is only best if not done by you.

7.    I found that the DIGG site evolved from seeking friends base on topic area or communities into a grouping of associates whom cross promote.  Thus, the selection of mutual friends is more about keeping them distinct from others.  Common bonds are looked upon with negative reinforcement.  Thus, the importance of sharing information with like minds directly results in a negative action.

8.    I found that separate from the need to understand the need to ignore the stated intent of the web site DIGG, that the title and description of a post can either make or break the information from going popular.

·    The key areas of success are in the many areas of entertainment.

·    Negative information is more successful than positive information.

In closing here a little advice in promoting your cause.

·    Have an eye catching title

·    If it is about being popular keep close friends limited and play the field

·    If it is about promoting a specific place of information or cause and not so much about making it big then have lots of close friends and upcoming information your promoting will get more views

·    Diversity among your audience in a social, geographic and time period will provide a weighted influence on the level of success of the communication

·    The more time you spend promoting the more likely you will find the right options and preferred methods for communicating to the audience you want to reach.

Nonprofits need to adopt their means of communicating on the web.