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<p>Throughout my life, there’s one thing I’ve been unable to do: Get a group of people to do what I ask of them.</p> <p><lj-cut text=”Read the rest of this entry »”></p> <p>This has most often shown up in my attempts to manage other people. Since elementary school, when I’ve been put in charge of a group of people, I can’t seem to get them to cooperate or coordinate. It didn’t matter whether it was the one time the teacher appointed me to manage the schoolyard softball team, or organizing a team to produce a skit for the A/V club. Everyone just went in their own direction. </p> <p>This problem reached its high point when I managed the <a href=”http://www.mysticrealms.com/events/faire.phtml”>Mystic Realms Fantasy Faire</a> in 2006. I experienced massive labor-relations problems from fellow managers and my pool of workers (folks who played in Mystic Realms). 2006 was the last year that Mystic Realms held a Fantasy Faire as an independent entity, and I feel my performance as a manager was the main reason why. (MR still does a Fantasy Faire, but under the umbrella of the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center.)</p> <p>My inability to influence groups of people also shows up when I try to spread the word about something I’m doing. Somehow my efforts, though sincere, are misdirected. (Anyone want another Acorn Garden pen?) Fortunately, as my friends, you’ve been pretty accepting of my efforts so far. </p> <p>Over the next two weeks, I’m going to be posting a lot about my <a href=”http://www.shapeways.com/shops/acorn-garden”>Kickin’ Wiccan</a> jewelry shop on Shapeways. I’ve planned a giveaway to try to spread the word that the shop exists and get people to look at what I’ve designed. I’ve written about <a href=”https://argothald.wordpress.com/84097/”>overcoming my reluctance</a> to mention the shop to my friends, <a href=”https://argothald.wordpress.com/85238/”>improving the appearance</a> of the on-line shop, and <a href=”https://argothald.wordpress.com/88291/”>marketing strategies</a>. </p> <p>The reason why I’m going to post so often is that I’m running a <a href=”https://argothald.wordpress.com/88771/”>giveaway</a> of jewelry from the shop. I’m using you, my friends, for your social-media connections on Facebook. When you enter the contest, and get a chance to win some jewelry, everyone who reads your news feed will see it. Since most of you have more Facebook friends than I do, the contest has the potential to spread beyond just those folks I know. </p> <p>What I’m looking for is Google Analytics page views. If the shop is visited by a couple of thousand people, then I know the word has been spread. If that many people see the shop and none place an order, then I’ll know that what I’ve designed doesn’t have the “oomph” that attracts people to buy it. That’s fine. At least I’ll have tried. But until I get those views, I haven’t really tried yet. </p> <p>According to the experts on web marketing, I have to post about this and keep posting: Facebook doesn’t always place what I post in my friends’ news feeds. Some people live in different time zones and may not see posts at certain times. Some folks need reminders in the evening because they can’t browse a shop at work or on their phones. </p> <p>Up until now, I’ve restricted my posts about Kickin’ Wiccan to one or two posts on Tuesdays. During the next two weeks, and for two weeks in November, I’ll have to post much more often than that. You’re going to be seeing lots of pentacle rings in your news feed. </p> <p>I’m not apologizing for the giveaway. It’s an idea that others suggested. This apology is for another potentially mis-directing marketing/managing effort. I hope you’ll excuse and understand what I’m trying to do. </p> <p>What can you do? Why, enter the contest of course! You tell your friends, and they tell their friends, and so on, and so on, and so on. That’s marketing. </p> <p>Let’s hope it works this time!</p> </lj-cut><p><small>Originally published at <a href=”https://www.argothald.net/blog/?p=560″>Argothald</a>. You can comment here or <a href=”https://www.argothald.net/blog/?p=560#comments”>there</a>.</small></p>