Don’t Flee from Facebook, Flock to It

Praying for political change? Flooding social media may be one of the easiest and most impactful things we can do in the weeks leading up to the most consequential election in the United States.

For the last four years I’ve heard people say they need to shut social media out because of the negativity. It’s just too stressful, they say. They “just can’t do it” and are “done” <insert dramatic vocal inflection and outburst.>

Now is not the time to abandon Facebook. With the election just around the corner, it’s time to be more active than ever and embrace it as the civic organizing tool that it is.

Advocacy groups, campaign experts and political operatives alike, all advise that being active and engaged on Facebook and other social media will make all the difference in this election cycle, especially since volunteers can’t go door to door this year.

Whatever your social media channel of choice, here are four simple things you can do. Pick one or get crazy and do them all!

Like or Comment— If you don’t post often, or don’t want to generate original political content, simply pay attention to your friends that do.

Don’t just look at their post and nod; go up one notch on the laziness barometer and hit that reaction button. Feeling extra pumped? Comment or share. When you do this you’re on the playing field with the algorithm and improving the odds or more people seeing that post.

Share visual content— Slow down with the articles, nobody clicks on them (unless you’re on Twitter, and even then, chances are low.)

Instead, grab infographics, positive/meaningful memes and video clips from the campaigns you are supporting, advocacy organizations or news sources. Shareable content is what it’s all about, join the party.

Tell your story — Don’t worry, you can still post pix of your kids, pets, nature walks and all that bread you’re going to bake this fall.

But if there’s an issue that really gets to you, or if a policy impacts you directly, share it. Make s*** real for people.

When the ACA was going to be eliminated after Trump’s election, I posted about how this would impact me as someone with a pre-existing condition and disability. Later, friends thanked me, saying that they didn’t realize that and how much they appreciated me putting a face to those news headlines.

Capture photos of virtual events— Attend virtual rallies, organizing calls or fundraisers for campaign, PACs and organizations you believe in.

Take a screen shot or photo of the call. Better yet, capture yourself on the call — a selfie statement!

Whatever you do, just do it. No excuses. You pick — flock to Facebook, implode Instagram or troll for good on Twitter. Just do something, because as President Obama said on a recent virtual fundraiser for Joe Biden, “Whatever you’re doing is not enough. We all have to do more.”

Looking for more content ideas? Request to join my personal Facebook group Countdown to Election 2020.