WAY Off Topic - Social Media (looking for opinions) UPDATE

[kteague]

Well, sleep apnea would naturally fit into this somewhere, it just wouldn't be the focus. Recent exposures to those involved in social media has brought me to an awareness of what seems to be a gap in this arena. On YouTube there is a proliferation of contributors' vlogs that to me are the contemporary version of being a habitual writer of "letters to the editor" in the heyday of the newspaper. Or mini reality shows from various perspectives. But when I look for things from my generation, seems the vast majority of videos are random uploads of laugh worthy gaffes. Where's the channels by seniors (particularly females), or channels that are more than making fun of seniors, and not "cause" focused? Do you think there's no audience for such a channel, or why there is a gap? Would you watch a channel hosted by a female that covered a mish-mosh of topics both serious and funny and in between - just about life? And yes, I'm thinking about doing this. I'm pretty thick skinned so it's ok to be honest. Not looking necessarily for cheerleaders - looking for honest feedback I can use in my considerations. Thanks.

[Catnapper]

If you were writing, I would read it. Something you once wrote changed my life and way of thinking.

I also remember some song verses you put together that were great. That was long ago. I bet I saved them somewhere in my computer.

Catnapper - Joanie

[kteague]

Thanks Joanie. I am struggling with this being on camera, but hey, I've already embarrassed my on camera with my PLMD video, so what could be worse, huh?

[idamtnboy]

Your greatest challenge will be to be relevant in the vast sea of useless information, and to be found.

I do very little surfing on YouTube, and then mostly as a takeoff from a video someone has sent me a link for. And then I regret wasting my time on such useless stuff, except once in awhile the entertainment is worth it. I spend almost no time on Facebook. What do I care about that Swiss chalet looking apartment building in Portland that my niece thinks is so quaint? I don't. And I sure don't care about my friend's friend's son shooting a 60 foot basket in a high school basketball game.

Information overload. If you can swim to the top of that morass and be seen then go for it! The old proverb about a needle in a haystack is very relevant in this age!

[jencat824]

To answer your question, yes I would watch. Topics on social media today are geared more toward younger generation & we need something geared more towards us seniors. I don't do much on facebook or twitter(I don't even have a twitter account). Facebook is just too intrusive in my life. My younger sister-in-law puts everything on facebook. Such as 'today I'm working in the fish pond' from 'guess what we are going out of town' (this is facebook speak as 'come & rob me"). I have a friend a few years younger than me who tweets everything. Such as 'OMG my cat just played with a feather', etc, etc. I would love a real social media with issues pertaining to women in my age group. I hope you do this & let us know about it, I will watch & participate in any discussion you may have, if relevant to me.

Personally, I love this forum, because its relevant to something I face daily - going to sleep with my CPAP machine. Since I found this, I have improved my sleep life by trying new masks, learning a neat trick with hair that is saving me hours in the am & helping my hubby as he begins his CPAP journey. Oh, and don't forget the big one - learning how to acces & interpret my own & hubby's data. I'm still learning on the interpret part of that, but thanks to this forum, and its wonderful members, this is something I can learn now, that I'm sure my dr would have never told me. My DME is via mail-order, so no help from them, so this forum has provided something that has enriched my life.

If what you are doing has information & discussion relevant to my life, I'm ready to support you and watch that. I believe from reading your posts you will have something worthwhile that will enrich many of our lives, so you have my support.

Go for it...
Jen

[kteague]

Your greatest challenge will be to be relevant in the vast sea of useless information, and to be found.

Exactly. Those are the two greatest challenges. I know what I might post won't be relevant to the masses but hopefully there will be a niche audience. I've been talking with some who already do this kind of thing and getting advice on these very issues. I have no delusions about becoming famous or rich (though some have), just thinking it might be an interesting venture at this point in my life. Not to mention, when I see some of the "vast sea of useless information" I can't help but think, daggone, I could do better than THAT! lol Guess I'll be adding mine to that sea.

jencat824, thanks. When things are more than just chit-chat, especially a segment on sleep (got 3 planned), I'll mention it. I doubt many men will be that interested, unless they're just supporting me. Probably the last thing most men want is another venue for women who talk too much.

[jencat824]

Your greatest challenge will be to be relevant in the vast sea of useless information, and to be found.

Exactly. Those are the two greatest challenges. I know what I might post won't be relevant to the masses but hopefully there will be a niche audience. I've been talking with some who already do this kind of thing and getting advice on these very issues. I have no delusions about becoming famous or rich (though some have), just thinking it might be an interesting venture at this point in my life. Not to mention, when I see some of the "vast sea of useless information" I can't help but think, daggone, I could do better than THAT! lol Guess I'll be adding mine to that sea.

jencat824, thanks. When things are more than just chit-chat, especially a segment on sleep (got 3 planned), I'll mention it. I doubt many men will be that interested, unless they're just supporting me. Probably the last thing most men want is another venue for women who talk too much.

I would be interested in more than just sleep, but agree that to be relevant is a great challenge. I would like to know when you start, I'd love to hear even the chit-chat, that can sometimes be stimulating conversation/reading. Believe in yourself and others will follow. I'm already believing that you will succeed in this endeavor.
Jen

[chunkyfrog]

I repeatedly find myself drawn to this site; it is actually relevant.
I will welcome (and click on) a link to your blog.

[kteague]

Thanks chunkyfrog. Appreciate it!

[BlackSpinner]

Your biggest job will be promotion and finding ways for people of our age group to find you.

[Phil_in_CA]

FWIW, I know plenty of guys who are "chatty" and women who are not... an over simplification that I am glad to ignore.

I think your video blog, or whatever form it takes, sounds good and I, even though I am not female, would likely watch what you produce. You have already impressed me with your wit and style.

Good luck and please post links.

[ems]

Sure, I'll watch.

One possible topic... sexual issues for our age group.

[kteague]

FWIW, I know plenty of guys who are "chatty" and women who are not... an over simplification that I am glad to ignore.

I think your video blog, or whatever form it takes, sounds good and I, even though I am not female, would likely watch what you produce. You have already impressed me with your wit and style.

Good luck and please post links.

I stand corrected. I was actually thinking of a specific person with that statement. Thanks for your support. Hope I can avoid many foot-in-mouth moments on camera. What a valuable reminder here!

BlackSpinner, that will certainly be a daunting challenge. Got some strategies, all the time in the world to work on it, and a few friends who will help kickstart things I'm sure. Good content does not guarantee recognition in this world of whoever can pay the most for ads or knows the most people. We'll see where this goes.

Jen, thanks again.

ems, let me get my bifocals so I can read the fine print

[wildflowertx]

Kteague, I would also be interested. Even though I've only been here a couple of months, I've noticed your posts are generally full of much good information and good sense. I would guess a blog or vlog would likely be the same.

[grapeshly]

To paraphrase the line from that Field of Dreams movie, if you do it, they will come.

If you've got something interesting to say -- and I mean interesting to yourself -- chances are that other people will want to hear it, too.

I tweet. I've been doing it for three years now. It's nothing prolific. Mostly I just read my Twitter stream (which is whatever the people I'm following have been saying for the past few hours). I read whatever other people have been tossing out into the ether just to kill time during a boring presentation, or when i'm on hold. It's kind of like sitting in a giant classroom listening to people tossing out wisecracks, or tips on something. It's kind of fun to be watching the zeitgeist happening all around you. Every couple of weeks or so I think of something to say that isn't mundane, navel gazing, or self-serving, and just toss it out there. I haven't been seeking followers, and whatever I tweet is strictly about whatever amuses me, and yet I've gotten 20 followers. And none of them are relatives. Frankly, I am surprised and not just a little alarmed that some people are willing to pay attention to what I say. So if mundane ol' me can get 20 followers from erratic tweets without any self-promotion, as long as you keep at it and persist, you're bound to get viewers on your YouTube channel.