I’m mobilizing the Emotionally Naked members so we can work together more effectively– reach more people, save more lives and erase stigma. Your sharing thus far has done just that and as of June 14, 2017, this site has had 200,000 visitors since February 1, 2016.

There are simple things you can do to spread the messages on this blog and since I am digital marketing expert, I wanted to share those simple tips with you.

As you’ve seen, I’m publishing stories from my loyal readers and will continue to do so mixed in with my usual.  These stories are important and here’s why. Statistics don’t mean squat if it’s not attached to a personal story.

Some of you have told your story for the first time ever even after years or decades of silence. Others have retold their story. Your struggles and losses are deeply personal and I am honored that you published it here.

It’s so courageous to share a story so personal with the world.

Here’s what I need from you guys to spread the word and take the taboo out of suicide, mental illness and addiction. Because it’s working. Because people are mentioning your stories when I go to networking events. They are sending me messages about them. They are reaching out for help because of them.

The goal is to normalize the conversation, therefore removing the taboo, making it OK to ask for help which will ultimately improve the mental health system. Sharing helps make that happen.

‘Share and Save Lives’ Social media tips

1. Share the post from the blog using the share buttons. Example below. Facebook is the leading social site but do share to twitter and others if you have accounts! You do not need permission from me to share.

 

2. Once you click the share button, a popup will come up on your phone or computer and I would like you to share the post as “public.” That way more people will see it. Picture below. (Keep in mind that the next time you post after on FB, you need to change it back to “friends.”)

• Here’s how that looks on a phone

• Here’s how that looks on a computer/tablet

Other tips

Share your own story on your Facebook page!

(When you are ready to do so as some of you said you are not ready yet.) You’ll get more reach by sharing to your story to your Facebook page. Can’t find it? Use the search. Some of the posts are here. (I do wish I could do a floating search box. Working on it)

If you are not ready to share on Facebook, use the little envelope symbol and share via email.

Encourage sharing and commenting

• When you post your post on Facebook, say “please share“
• When someone comments on your story, reply here and on Facebook
• Understand that posts you wrote that are not posted on your personal Facebook page will have less reach. Which is fine if you are not ready. Just letting you know so you are not disappointed

Comment on the blog

The more comments a post has, the more Google sees it as important. Many of your posts have already indexed on Google and people are finding them from both social media and Google from as far away as Australia and as close as your home town.

People read your comments. I also see that in the statistics. Your encouragement, your feedback is important for people to see and understand they are not alone. We have people who are very new and fresh to their grief and finding they are not alone is comforting following tragedy.

Share stories from others!

I never would have thought anyone would share posts about suicide, addiction, grief and mental illness to their Facebook pages. But people do, and I get messages all the time from young and old how much these stories mean to them.

Then there are people who write to me, “I was going to kill myself last night but I read this post…..” Still others who didn’t understand suicide, addiction and mental illness before, now understand because of what they’ve read here.

Encourage people to sign up for updates

Strength in numbers is what’s working and that’s why we are reaching people on the east coast, the west coast and other countries. I’ve seen people translate your stories and mine into other languages.

• Email. Post this link on your Facebook page. Use the copy: Sign up. Share. Save lives. The link: http://eepurl.com/bUTtR1
• People can sign up for text reminders. They are once a day, 8pm EST in the US
• I am working on making that pop up NOT show for subscribers but it takes a bit more technical savvy. There is a way to do it but it will take a chunk of time to get it done

Let’s do this. Love our little village.

I am done! The refueling comment