#StopHateForProfit
Sometimes you need to make hard choices. Doing what is right, regardless of the cost, is always the proper decision.
I had been following the controversy over Facebook and Mark's stance when it comes to allowing false news, hate speech, and other inflammatory content, especially with regard to our current administration.
Most of the business I see for my brands comes through Facebook. As my core business is a brand, content, and social media marketing agency, I use the platform to drive revenue for clients. That creates a tough spot for me.
And at the same time, it doesn't.
Doing the right thing matters
After reading a tweet from REI,
I made the decision to take it a step further.
It's more than about ads. While a significant impact and an applauded move, it's a temporary one (and I am challenging REI and other major brands to stop all ads until there is change).
If we truly want to stop the hate for profit, the stance needs to be long-term. It needs to have a spine. It also goes beyond influential brands halting ads for a month. There needs to be an impact on those choosing to still run them.
That means fewer eyes on news feeds. Fewer readers means fewer impressions and a decreased effectiveness of ads. Render ads worthless, or drive the price for effectiveness high enough, others may drop the platform.
That's what I can do, in my small way. While I will still post for clients - that is a choice they need to make for themselves - I have deleted 90% of my friends. I have stopped posting completely to my personal profile and my brand pages. I will no longer engage on content outside of groups (and only in groups when what I contribute adds significant value).
I will do my part to reduce scrolling through news feeds to limit ad impressions.
My time will shift to here and Twitter - at least until Mark denounces hate, false narratives, and violence. My content will be here and on Twitter. I will support those brands I have followed elsewhere, here and on Twitter.
This may have an impact on my bottom line. I am OK with that. For me, this is the right decision.
- For more on the call by civil rights groups.
- For more on how you can stop hate for profit.
To follow my brands here and on Twitter:
And watch for a new venture on the horizon.