#see also: online activism isn't real! you need to build community with people in 'real life' and stop being a virtue- | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

creature-wizard · 6 months

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i used to be in the loa community and it was miserable lol. i'd have phases of being so inspired and really feeling like things were going to change for the better, only for it to not happen. for a long time i held out, and any 'failures' i had i took it as an opportunity to improve and carry on. but then at some point i just began to spiral--it came out of nowhere--and i felt so, so hopeless. i think with every 'mistake' and failure i had, it built up without me fully realising it. i never told anyone, not online and of course not in real life, because acknowledging it would've been the final nail in the coffin for my 'journey' or whatever.

anyone who voiced their upset about not getting the results they wanted, they'd be told by some blogs that it was because they "weren't persisting enough", and that all they needed to do was continue. any mention of doubt or feeling bad was frowned upon. it sucked. because i sure as hell knew that i was putting my heart and soul into it. i like to view myself as someone who is steadfast, but a person can only handle so much until they crumble. to be fair, it wasn't completely loa's fault for my sudden decline in mental health, there were definitely different factors. but it probably wasn't that healthy for me regardless. burnouts happen ig

in defence of some of the blogs i've been on, there are definitely a few that don't have the regular toxic ideology that a lot of the other blogs do. not all of them take neville goddard's words and teaching as gospel, and some of them actually encourage getting help when you need it and to not rely on loa completely, and they reiterate that any awful things that happened to people wasn't their fault! but i will say that those more healthy loa blogs are more rare and hard to come by. coincidentally, they're also the least active. but i digress

but yeah. my main issue with loa was that after being in that community long enough, i just became stagnant. mostly due to the hope that things would sort them out themselves. i'd hold back on pursuing things and making plans because i wanted to do them AFTER i'd manifested everything. but clearly that didn't work out for me lol.

so uh yeah if you're in the community and reading this and you're not quite ready to let go of it yet, just don't let it hold you back. you think it isn't harmless until you just stop moving forward because of it. and please don't be afraid of reaching out for help.

sorry for the long ramble, hope you're doing well.

fuccccckkk if it were all true. manifesting a big ass psychic elephant would have been so metal !!

Thanks for sharing your story! And yeah, that's the thing about trying something over and over with no results - you might be able to repress the disappointment for awhile, but it will build up and eventually come out and hit you all at once. And it can hit hard.

You mention that you never posted about your failures, and I think that this is a far more common in the Law of Assumption community than many people realize. Neville Goddard's teachings and the community around them absolutely push people into self-censorship. We see people posting success stories (or, supposedly posting success stories), but we really have no idea of what's going on behind the scenes.

And it's a shame that the blogs taking a healthier approach to this aren't as common or active. But honestly, the fact that the toxic bloggers are spending all this time on this blue hellsite when they could, supposedly, manifest themselves doing literally anything else should tell people a lot about how well they're actually doing with the Law of Assumption and their approach to it.

Anyway, I'm glad you're doing better and I hope things keep going well for you!

#answered #law of assumption #loa #loassumption #neville goddard #ex loa

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colindeamer · 4 months

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Colin William Deamer Tips: Engage Customers, Boost Sales for Business Growth

Whatever business you run, customers play an important role in your business's success. They are basically the heart of any business.

But have you ever wondered why customers are so crucial to a business? Well, they're not just people buying stuff; but the base that fuels the growth and prosperity of any business. Therefore, understanding their key role is important, as engaged customers are not only loyal patrons but enthusiastic advocates who amplify a brand's resonance.

Happy customers are like magic wands that make a business grow! But how to keep them happy? By keeping them interested and engaged. So see, when businesses connect with customers, it's like building a secret handshake club, which makes them feel special. That’s a big deal! Do you also want to keep your customers engaged?

If so, keep reading this post and check out 7 essential tips that will help you keep your customer engaged for sustained business growth.

What Does Customer Engagement Mean?

Customer engagement is like making friends with the people who buy from your business. It's more than just selling stuff; it's about building a connection. Imagine you have a favourite local store. The owner knows your name, recommends things you might like, and always makes you feel welcome.

That's customer engagement!

It's about understanding what your customers need and want, and then making their experience awesome. It's like having a conversation, where both sides are heard and valued. Engaged customers don't just buy once and disappear; they become a part of your business family. They can be walking promotions for your brand. In simple terms, customer engagement is the heart and soul of turning buyers into fans who stick around for the long haul.

7 Tips To Engage Customers And Boost Sales For Business Growth

Engaging customers involves more than just a friendly wave—it's about crafting a connection that transforms one-time buyers into loyal advocates. Here are seven comprehensive strategies to not only captivate your customers but also elevate your sales to unprecedented levels:

Personalized Communication

Dive deep into customer preferences by personalizing your communication. Incorporate their names, suggest products aligned with their interests, and demonstrate a genuine understanding of what makes their shopping experience unique. By weaving this personalized touch into your messaging, you forge a connection that goes beyond mere transactions, creating an environment where customers feel seen and appreciated.

Harness the Power of Social Media

Social media isn't just a stage for your brand; it's a dynamic conversation hub. Actively engage your audience by regularly sharing compelling content, responding promptly to comments, and orchestrating interactive campaigns. These platforms become not only megaphones for your brand but also avenues for direct, real-time communication, breathing life into your business.

Create an Omnichannel Experience

Break down the barriers between online and in-store experiences by implementing an omnichannel approach. Seamlessly integrate various touchpoints to provide customers with a consistent and delightful journey, irrespective of where they engage with your brand. This unified experience not only builds trust but also ensures customers return for more.

Implement Robust Loyalty Programs

Develop loyalty programs that go beyond superficial perks. Offer exclusive benefits, discounts, or a point system that genuinely rewards your customers for their loyalty. These programs not only express gratitude for their ongoing support but also establish a compelling reason for customers to choose your brand over competitors.

Embrace Customer Feedback

Make feedback a two-way street by actively seeking input and implementing constructive suggestions. This not only demonstrates a commitment to improvement but also creates a sense of co-creation with your customers. When they witness their feedback translating into tangible changes, it fosters a deeper sense of connection and investment in your brand.

Deliver Exceptional Customer Service

Elevate customer service to a standout feature of your brand. Ensure your staff is not only knowledgeable and efficient but also friendly and quick to address concerns. Exceptional service transforms potential issues into opportunities to impress, laying the groundwork for long-term loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

Host Engaging Events and Webinars

Extend your brand's reach beyond transactions by organizing events or webinars. Beyond showcasing your expertise, these initiatives provide a platform for direct interaction. Events create a sense of community, forging a bond that goes beyond the transactional and makes customers feel like valued participants in your brand's journey.

By including these strategies in your business playbook, you'll not only engage customers effectively but also witness a substantial and positive impact on your sales, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that propels both your business and your cherished customers forward.

Conclusion

Overall, customer engagement is not just a strategy; it's a mindset that fosters lasting relationships. By implementing the seven tips outlined in this comprehensive guide, businesses can not only boost immediate sales but also lay the groundwork for sustained growth. Remember, engaged customers are not just patrons; they are partners in the journey towards business success. Cultivate engagement, and watch your business thrive in the long run.

About the Author

Colin is an excellent professional in the telecom and IT fields. An unexpected life event drove Colin to sensibly move from a senior position in sales to a more hands-on job. Colin has a broad background ranging from lease lines to fibre internet.

Colin stands out for his excellent sales sense, often exceeding goals and corporate targets in both direct and channel sales. His analytical skill is most evident in his accurate predictions, which he does by analysing past business and CRM data from Autotask, ZOHO, Salesforce, and CRM. Colin Dreamer is a master at bid management who creates strong proposals with ease and confidently presents them to CxOs.

Apart from the business world, Colin is a family man who moved to a new home in 2022. He is a proud certified Football Association (FA) referee and a father of three children. Colin William Dreamer is a prime example of how extraordinary career achievement may coexist with a steadfast commitment to personal and family fulfilment.

#salesforce #sales #networking #business

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ghoste-catte · 3 years

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I was curious what advice would you give to someone new to writing fics? I've been wanting to get back into it but haven't seriously written something since high school. I hope this isn't an annoying question or anything!

Not an annoying question at all! I'm just a little worried that I won't have terribly good or useful advice. To be honest, I also sort of stopped writing in earnest right as I finished high school, and didn't pick it back up until my late 20s. It's certainly an adjustment! But I think the few things that really helped me get back into writing fic as a hobby and something I spend quite a bit of time on would be:

Write for yourself first, then find your other motivations. My original inspiration in getting back into fic writing was that there just were not that many fics I liked for my favorite pairing, and I wanted more of them, and I especially wanted more with the tropes and characterizations I wanted to see. I think at the very core of anything you need that internal spark that drives you. At the same time, for me at least, if I just relied on my own drive, I would not get much done; I need some external guardrails. So having people send prompts, or writing for particular events, or writing stuff for friends really helps me to get my ass in gear and finish stuff. That may not be the perfect motivator for you, and that's fine! You just gotta figure out what is.

Be open to inspiration. Anything and everything can be spun out into a story with the right tweaking. Obviously stuff like music is a classic inspiration source, but I've also pulled ideas from poetry, from memes, from Reddit threads, from YouTube videos, from rambling conversations on Discord and from real life to make fics out of. So many times, someone will post a silly Twitter screencap, and I'll think, There's a fic in this. And a lot of the time, there is! Research is a wonderful thing, but so is serendipity. If you're out there actively looking for ideas, eventually one that you like will stumble past you.

Find your community. I can genuinely say I never would have finished more than one fic if I didn't have fandom friends to talk to about even stupid headcanons, to bounce ideas off of, and to encourage me (and to encourage them in turn!). Discord has been a godsend, and some of my closest online friends are people I met in the GaaLee discord server. As I've gotten more comfortable as a writer, I've also joined general writing servers and Reddit communities and have found them immensely helpful on both a motivational level (bingos, sprints, owe-me challenges) and on a craft level (plot workshopping and writing ethics and live grammar help). It's a lot easier to think about fic ideas and hash through problem moments when I have a constant stream of fandom-related chatter coming from the little people who live in my phone! Ao3 is an amazing website, and it's great as, well, an archive, but it isn't social media by design. If you want conversation and human connection and cheerleading, you've gotta forge out and find it.

Make it a habit ... If you want to produce anything longer than a couple hundred words, you really have to set aside time for it. And writing is just like knitting or dirt biking or painting little model figurines: the more you do it, the more easily it comes. When I was first getting back into the proper swing of things, I committed myself to 30 minutes of writing per week. Just 30 minutes. I didn't even hit that goal every week, but there were tons of weeks I got on a roll and went over that amount, and by the end of the year I'd written over 200,000 words. I used to spend an hour laboriously tip-tapping out 200 words, but now I can easily blow through 1k in a 50 minute sprint. It's all about training that muscle.

... But don't make it a chore. With fanfic, you aren't doing this as a job, and you aren't ultimately doing it for anyone other than you. That means you can take breaks when you need them, you can set deadlines and then fail to meet them, you can write stuff and then decide to never post it. When you start getting burnt out, when the practice loses the joy and energy, stop. There's no 'hustle' here. In our capitalist society we're so trained to push past our limits and keep going even when it hurts us, but the hobby you do for connection and relaxation and whatever else shouldn't be like that.

Ignore metrics. Sometimes stuff isn't gonna get hits, or kudos, or comments. There are some basic 'rules' as to the stuff that does and doesn't get traction, but every time you post something it's a roll of the dice. If you're focused on watching that kudos counter tick up, you will get bummed out fast. And any writer will tell you that the stuff you think is your best work will never be the stuff that gets the most accolades. So you have to find something else to give you a sense of success. For me, it's watching my wordcount go up in my stats and those occasional comments where someone has a lot to say and that one person who always leaves me a <3 emoji (and, shout out to @egregiousderp, having someone to have long one-on-one conversations with about the stuff that never made it to page).

Don't strive for perfection. It's really easy to want your first ever fic to be a complete showstopper, the best fic fandom has ever seen, hitting all the tropes and the ideas and the characterization that you just know fandom is missing and would be everyone's top favorite if only it was written. This is a trap. No one fic can be all things. Most people who want to write an epic as their very first venture will not see the end of that epic, because they haven't put in the practice hours to make something on that scale work. That's not to say you can't start out with a big, sprawling multichap, just don't expect it to be the greatest thing since sliced bread if you're just starting out, and be okay with abandoning it for greener pastures if you get to that point. Think of the first time someone makes a vase out of clay or bakes a loaf of bread. That's never their best vase or their best bread. If they keep up with it, they'll make more and better vases and loaves. Likewise, your first fic is probably not gonna be your best fic. See it for what it is: your launchpad.

You can't edit an empty page, but you can over-edit a full one. This kind of spins off of #7, but if the words aren't there, you can't fix them. Daydreams and headcanons are fantastic (and god, how many times have I wished for a speech-to-text engine that projected my falling asleep thoughts onto a Google doc for later perusal), but they aren't fic. If you want to write fic, you've gotta get comfortable with the idea of sloppy outlines and rough first drafts. You can't build a house without a frame and you can't build a man without a skeleton (I mean, you can, I guess, but he'd be one floppy man). The nice thing about fic is that it doesn't matter if that frame is structurally unsound or the skeleton has 18 too many bones, you can clean that up in the editing process. But you can't start hanging curtains and arranging furniture in something that doesn't even have walls. That's the process. But! Also know when to set down the editor's pen and say, "Okay, this is good enough for government work", and call it done. ("Done" doesn't have to mean "posted", but it does mean, "I'm done picking at this for now, and I'm gonna go write some more stuff".) Over-editing can make stuff seem laborious and forced, and it prevents you from actually improving. To continue belaboring the house metaphor, you can spend your whole life rearranging furniture in just one room, but the end result of that is a pretty narrow existence and a room with a lot of footprints and tracks in the carpet.

Write shit down. When you have ideas, jot them down--in a notebook, in a Google Doc, in the Notes app of your phone, in pen on the back of your hand. You think you will remember that brilliant line of dialogue or sparkling snippet of narration or genius plot that came to you in a dream, but you Will Not. Write it down. Write it down. Write it down! There have been so many times when a fic was completely saved by past!me having written down my shower thoughts about what happens next in the fic, that present!me had completely forgotten about and was floundering over.

Have fun with it! Try different stuff. Try stupid stuff. Try experimental stuff. Do stuff you've never done before that you aren't sure will work. It's important to get comfortable with your niche (for example, I know I'm never going to be the sort of person who writes intricate plots of intrigue or super long 100k epics or detailed battles), but you can't find that niche unless you explore lots of different niches! Figure out what you love and what you absolutely hate, and then keep doing the stuff you love.

Okay, so that was actually TEN things, but ... I hope you still found this helpful. Feel free to send another ask if any of this was confusing or unclear. Good luck with your fic writing and, if you want, send me a link to what you've written once you've written it! I'd love to read it.

#answered #anonymous #writing advice #i guess?#am i qualified to give this?#no #but im doing it anyway

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spacebaubles · 4 years

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Mark Hamill accidentally liking JK Rowling's tweet is exactly why we need to make allies aware of dog-whistles. "Dress however you please , "call yourself whatever you like, sleep with any consenting adult who'll have you" are all dog-whistles.

Dress however you please: this is insinuating that trans people are simply playing dress up, as if their gender is nothing but a costume.

Call yourself whatever you want: this is the jaded compliment equivalent of deadnaming

Sleep with any consenting adult who'll have you: this one is a doozy. The "who'll have you" is degrading af. It's like saying "nobody wants you, so jump on the first person you see who isn't disgusted by you"

Live your best life in peace and security: this last line here is a fun little gaslight. It's put there to make us, and you, feel like her intentions here are good. They're not. To make you feel like she isnt being transphobic. She most certainly is.

All three of these statements, as well as that "peace and security" line in this context, are written in a way that, often times unless you're trans, seem like supportive statements. We need allies to be able to recognize this behavior so they know not to support these sentiments, and if they can, to call people out on their bullshit.

Maya Forstater has a long history of harassing trans people online, harassing her trans work colleagues, refusing to work with trans members of the public, and using anti-trans lobbying groups to change legalisation that protects trans people. She used her contract non-renewal as a platform to try to get her TERF beliefs (and the actions based on those beliefs) protected under the law in the same way the freedom to hold a faith is protected. A move which directly conflicts with anti-discrimination legalisation. This was her attempt at getting her beliefs and actions protected under the law. This is not about her saying "[biological] sex is real", that is nothing but a drop in the ocean of her long history of anti-trans dangerous behaviour. It's not about what speech says, it's about what is does that matters.

And JK Rowling, the so-called ally to the queer community actively supported her cause. Make no mistake. JK Rowling supporting Maya Forstater isn't about unfair dismissal; it's about being able to discriminate against others with impunity. It's about getting harassment and abuse of minorities legalised.

Rowling has also associated with notorious anti-trans The Times journalist Janice Turner. Turner recently led a campaign against UK children’s charity National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The organisation had enlisted transgender model Munroe Bergdorf in a partnership to expand efforts to reach vulnerable LGBT children. Turner took to Twitter where she accused Bergdorf of being a “porn model” and encouraged her supporters to consider suspending direct debit donations to the charity.

Imagine hating people so much that you advocate stopping charitable donations. Imagine hatred so strong that you attempt to hold a charity financially hostage until your demands are met.

JK Rowling is getting the dragging she deserves. Even if she never comes out an expressly says "I hate trans people", she is no ally to the LGBTI community. We're a package deal. Support all of us or support none of us. You don't get to build an empire based on a book series about tackling bullies and abolishing magical fascism while supporting people who want to actively harm vulnerable people.

#transphobic #jk rowling #harry potter #transphobia #lgbti

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babyandprincessddlgblog · 5 years

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Long Distance Relationships

So you want to know more about long distance relationships...

Well, for starters, they’re not easy. They take a lot of work, diligence, time commitments, compromising, and patience. They test you in many ways, and sometimes leave you feeling alone even though you have someone.

Long distance relationships are not for everyone, and they certainly are not something to toy with, because a partners feelings are on the line. Take me and Princess for example: Princess needs that one on one relationship, the closeness, the physical touch, the sexual release of being a submissive for a dom in person. However she is also willing to make a several hour drive to see her partner, no matter the circumstances.

Baby on the other hand, is willing to have a long distance relationship (or in her current situation a long distance queer-platonic relationship), and work with her dom in order to have that bond even though the distance does not always physical meetings.

How do I know a long distance relationship is right for me, then?

Answer me this:

Are you fully prepared to go months, or maybe even a year or more without physically being near your partner?

Can you handle when they are unavailable, that you can’t always talk to them?

Do you have the time, or are you willing to make time even if your day is absolutely overflowing with tasks, to talk to them and love them and encourage them?

Do you have the discipline to save money for gas, plane tickets, and hotel rooms just to see them for a few hours or if you’re lucky a few days?

Can you go long amounts of time and remain loyal to them emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually?

Are you able to handle not being able to touch them, hold their hand, kiss their lips, play with their hair, and overall do what every other couple does?

I think I can do all those things... So what do I do?

You have a few options depending on your current situation. Maybe you’re talking to a potential dom, and you want to test the waters. Maybe you’re a single sub and you want to be actively searching. Maybe you want to be involved in the community and not worry about it. Regardless, here are a few tips for any circumstance you may be in.

1. I’m single, I like it, I just want to freely express my kinky side.

Wonderful! You know what you want and there’s a simple answer to this:

Munches. Play parties. Teaching opportunities.

Basically, there’s a website called Fetlife that has an “Events” page that shows any and all kinky events in your area. Looking for a rope class? They’ve got the link. Maybe you want to play? There’s the info on Fet. A casual pizza place munch? You bet!

By getting out into your local community, you can build up your knowledge and express yourself freely, without worrying about a commitment.

2. I want to be actively searching for a dom, but like, how??

Have no fear, Baby is here! I’ve used essentially the majority of platforms available to us kinksters to seek out true doms who want to have a great relationship with a sub. You name it, I’ve tried it: Tinder, Fet, Tumblr matchmaking blogs, straight up following doms and trying to court them (sorry GPD lolz).

Here are my tried and true reviews:

Tinder: Listen, you’re literally gonna get like 500+ fuckboys. That’s what Tinder is for. HOWEVER!! I have a hack to weed through them. Simply put a point of outside contact that isn’t your phone number (and a platform where you can block people). I use kik, so I simply put my kik username in my bio. If they’re really looking at each person individually, they’ll contact you. Most of the guys I get are total douchebags, yes, but don’t be afraid of that block button.

But, I did find Daddy through kik. He messaged me by chance when I wasn’t even looking for a dom, and we clicked, and a whole year later here we are still in a healthy cg/l dynamic with each other.

Fetlife: Basically Tinder for guys who want to be called “daddy”. You’re gonna get weirder dudes on here, but you have a bit higher of a chance to find a suitable dom. Princess found the dom she is in a dynamic with through Fet, then Tinder, then Bumble, and now they’re officially a thing.

Tumblr Matchmaking Blogs: STAY FAR AWAY FROM THESE!! The only good thing that comes from these blogs is there’s a bunch of pedophiles in one place to automatically report and block. There might be one or two diamonds in the rough, but trust me it’s not worth it. It’s mostly underage children and creepy old dudes. Just report the blogs and move on.

Tumblr Dom Blogs: These can be good, if you’re able to identify the real ones from the fake ones. A ton of “dominants” run these, and very few are actually in the community with good intentions. I’ve been looking for 3 years and I’ve only found a handful of good blogs ( @mistersbeard / @lovemysub are my favorites because they’re educational and fun). So, I mean, you can talk to doms on Tumblr, sure, but be careful and know how to identify them first.

Most Importantly: DO. NOT. GO. LOOKING. FOR. A. DOM. IF. YOU’RE. A. NEW. SUB.

I cannot stress this enough, and if you’re like me you’ll be like “lolz, literally nothing will happen, I’m a smart cookie, I can handle-” No. Seriously, this spells trouble and it will leave you a hurt little subby in the end. Learn, grow, gain experience in a safe environment, don’t think the BDSM porn is accurate (it’s not), practice consent, use safewords, and above all don’t rush into anything. A d/s relationship takes time and energy, put in a ton of both before even calling anything a relationship.

3. I have someone I’m considering to be my dom, but I don’t know how to approach it.

Something I learned that has saved me a ton of grief, is to use the consideration phase to your advantage. Essentially, don’t commit, but play into the dynamic between the person you’re considering.

Let’s say you need some help drinking more water. Talk to the dom you’re interested in about introducing a rule to better yourself. Discuss every detail of it. How much water? How many times a day? What if you don’t meet the quota? What if you break the rule and have coffee? Etc. Etc. Etc. Establish a couple low level punishments if that’s your thing. Then when you’re both comfortable, add another rule, add some rewards, add some more dynamics.

When you both feel like you want to commit a couple months, or even years, later, go for it.

A consideration phase makes everything less stressful. There’s no full submission yet unless you choose it. It’s all in your control, which it always should be, and you can shut it all down with the snap of a finger if you don’t feel comfortable.

The most important unspoken rules of LDR’s:

1. Make time for one another. Don’t send just a couple quick texts a day, a goodnight video, and call it good. Actually make time, even if you’re walking the dog or making dinner, to share little tidbits and make it feel like you’re together.

2. Send everything! Pictures, videos, emojis, gifs, stickers. Send a letter, and email, video chat, plan a day trip (if the proximity allows). Send them things that remind you of them. Discuss big things, small things, and in-between things. Make each other feel like you’re right there, but also maintain the responsibility you have to maintain.

3. Things can be sexual, or not, it’s your control. Feeling pressured to send some tit pics? Stand your ground and refuse. Feeling frisky and want to play? Discuss it and see if you can both do so/are comfortable.

4. It’s hard. Like, really hard. You love this other being so much and you just want to be near them and give them the world and that’s not always possible. But cherish every little second you get to spend with them, in person or online.

5. Be patient, and appreciate everything you give and receive. What you have is special, and it should be treated as such. It’s not everyday that you build a unique bond with someone.

Finally, a word from Daddy A:

It strengthens the emotional and mental sides greatly, but the lack of contact does suck. Essentially, a sub can be with another dominant to fulfill that, if their main is alright with it, but it goes beyond sexual release, as some may assume when looking at any format of bdsm.

The LG/DD dynamic has a bigger focus on protection and comfort by and large. We wish for our submissives to be perfectly fine with us, and thus, give us their submission. In turn, we provide the support, the nurturing and protection they desire.

Sexuality isn't inherently a part of the dynamic, but once you've become so familiar with someone, it's hard to separate into something more casual. You don't want to be spanked, you want to be spanked by your dominant.

How I see it, the distance definitely makes the bond so much stronger, leading to when you finally meet in person being a grand thing. However, it does not mean it's for everyone. You gotta be ready for the stretches of time, the worry, the anxiety and personal issues. Patience is big and openness is necessary.

On top of that, when you do possibly meet, be ready for it to not be a scene right away. Sometimes it'll just be grabbing lunch, maybe something tame where you aren't always in the head space. But, sometimes that's enough; just that, whatever it is, is what you both need to reassure that it's real and can grow. It won't be a sexual release, but both can breathe easier.

Expectations have to be tempered. Maybe you don't have a private place, maybe someone is nervous.

Even without it being a scene, the two could be huge dorks and walk past each other at a theme park despite dying to be beside the other.

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homosandhomies · 3 years

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I saw your anon ask about cishets and I'm sorry to leap in I just love discussing the nuances and developments of LGBT+ history/community and socialism.

I honestly think it's most beneficial to have equal spaces where LGBT+ people and non-LGBT+ people can mingle, and spaces where just LGBT+ people can mingle.

I think that a lot of prejudice and disconnect from non-LGBT+ people comes from not actually having any real-term experience amongst LGBT+ people. It's super easy to read a few articles online or watch a TV show, but the best perspective comes from active and interpersonal engagement. If we as a community want to be supported, understood and accepted, we can't build a barrier between ourselves and the people we are asking that of.

However on the flipside, our people also deserve spaces where they can be free of that prejudice and feel safety amongst other community members.

Its also extremely important for solidarity to be shown between our communities. Especially in instances of protest or demonstration/activism. Having our allies alongside us lends strength to our cause.

I totally agree! I sort of see it like this: I'd be annoyed if a non-Jewish person held a Passover seder, because it isn't their culture. However, if they were a friend and said, "Hey, can I come to your seder?" I'd probably say yes! It would be a fun learning experience. Like you said, there's a lot of nuance to the topic. We need our own spaces, but there should also be spaces where allies can be apart of it.

#asks #anon #lgbt #summer says stuff

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nrip · 5 years

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HIPAA Compliance and Marketing in the Social Media Age -

With so many people online, the question isn't whether O&P practices should use social media to share their stories with patients and potential patients, but rather how to do it effectively and responsibly.

Whether or not O&P practices want conversation about their business online, it is probably already happening, the experts say. Companies like Yelp and Google will post reviews of a practice without the business doing anything on its own to facilitate them. Patients may also be using their own social media accounts to tell others about the practice. If someone isn't watching what is being posted online, there could be wrong or detrimental information on the web that could negatively impact the organization.

However, doing a good job of sharing healthcare-related stories online can be challenging where a misstep can cause a costly breach of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations.

"I am definitely a firm believer in social media," says Chad Schiffman, director of compliance for Healthcare Compliance Pros, headquartered in Salt Lake City. "Just be careful. Proceed with caution."

The Benefits of Social Media

When done well, social media can be a great, and inexpensive, way to market a practice and build community.

"It can be pretty traumatic when people have to have a limb amputated. By highlighting your business and showing people what you offer and what you are about, it can attract patients," says Jennifer Fayter, sales director for Coyote Prosthetics and Orthotics, headquartered in Boise, Idaho. "Even if they are not in your area, they can get a sense of the different types of prostheses out there. It's free marketing. You get to reach a lot of followers at no cost."

Since Coyote has begun focusing on social media—usually posting about three to four times per day—Fayter has seen name recognition of the practice grow and also has felt more connected to the local O&P community.

"It's been really beneficial and highlights a lot of our patients in the Idaho area," she says. "They make comments like, ‘Oh, I just climbed stairs for the first time,' or one gentleman just got his first leg and commented how great it is."

These kinds of comments and online reviews are a great way to attract future patients, Schiffman says.

"Ninety percent of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business," Schiffman says. "About 75 percent of those consumers say that if those businesses have positive reviews and stories, that they can be trusted as much as a personal recommendation."

Fayter is a firm believer in a strong social media presence but says she is also very careful about what she posts to avoid breaching HIPAA rules. She always has signed consent forms before posting a patient story and is careful not to share too much information about patients even with consent.

The Consequences a HIPAA Breach

While the experts say a robust social media presence is important for O&P practices, they also warn that the practices should always be careful to avoid a breach.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a HIPAA breach is an impermissible use or disclosure under the Privacy Rule that compromises the security or privacy of protected health information. The Privacy Rule sets national standards about when protected health information can be used and disclosed. According to Healthcare Compliance Pros, fines can range from $100 to $1.5 million or can include criminal penalties that could result in up to ten years in prison.

These are some common examples of social media HIPAA violations according to Healthcare Compliance Pros:

Posting verbal gossip about a patient to unauthorized individuals, even if the patient's name is not disclosed

Sharing photographs or any form of protected health information without written consent from the patient

Believing that posts are private or have been deleted when they are still visible to the public

Sharing seemingly innocent comments or pictures, such as a workplace lunch that happens to have visible patient files underneath

There are a few ways an O&P practice can stay in compliance on their social media channels. One way is to never post any identifiable patient information on their channels. Photos do not include patient faces or any other features that could identify them. Any quotes are generic and not attributed to a specific person. If patients are never identified, then their protected health information is not released.

If you do want to share patient stories and stay in compliance with HIPAA, have the patient sign a consent form and ensure they understand what information is going to be used and where it may be used. This way is more difficult, the experts say, but also makes for a much better social media presence.

"People like seeing people like themselves having successes," says Linda Williams, a partner for The Brand Counselors, a marketing firm headquartered in Long Island, New York, that manages the social media accounts of Progressive Orthotics and Prosthetics, headquartered in Albertson, New York. "It's helpful from a strategic standpoint of showing patients up and active and doing all sorts of things."

Real stories of real people help readers make a stronger connection with a practice, ultimately making them more likely to become patients, says Schiffman.

"If you give readers specific examples, they can better identify with that story. It gives them a personal connection," he says.

So, if it's a good idea to use patient stories on social media channels, what's the best way to proceed? The experts offer many ideas for O&P practices, including:

Always have patients sign a consent form before any of their health information, including their photos, are released.

Communicate with patients about how their information will be used. When possible, let them review any information that will be shared even if they have already signed a consent allowing the release.

Limit the amount of patient information that is shared, for example, full names of patients do not need to be used. Also, general information about their health and injuries is usually sufficient; specific details, such as their K-level, is not necessary.

Train staff members how to use the company's social media accounts, and make sure that anyone with access to the channels knows how to stay HIPAA compliant.

Be consistent and positive. Post continually, and always check online reviews and social media channels to spot any negative or inaccurate information so the practice can immediately respond. Address any negative information publicly so others can see it is taken seriously and then have the rest of the conversation in private.

Build community. The best thing about social media is the social aspect. Telling the practice's stories can encourage and inspire others. A strong social media community will lead to more patients who want to share their stories and successes.

Consent and Communication for Patient Stories

While a consent form signed by patients is an absolute necessity before any information about them is disclosed by the practice, specifics of that consent are also important.

"Have a signature so you have proof, and have it dated," Schiffman says. "There doesn't need to be an expiration date on it, but it should say that a patient has the right to withdraw consent at any time."

In his career, Schiffman can only think of two cases where patients wanted to withdraw their consent and it was only for posts from that point forward. If patients want old posts taken down, Schiffman says the business should comply, but also tell the patient it is not responsible for posts that might have been shared by others and are out of the control of the practice.

"It's like an email," he says. "You aren't responsible for it in transit. You don't have responsibility for it if it is shared by others."

The form should also allow the patients to give different levels of permission, he says. For example, some patients are fine sharing their stories but don't want any images of themselves. Others are fine with images, videos, and their stories.

"Have them identify what kind of PHI [protected health information] they are willing to share," he says. "Find out if there is anything they want to limit, and personal identifiers they might not want shared."

It is acceptable for the practice to make recommendations about what patients should share on the company's social media accounts—for example, recommending that only first names are used on social media posts shared by the practice, or recommending that the company leave out specific health details in its posts.

Schiffman also recommends that O&P practices post disclaimers on their social media accounts warning people not to post their protected health information and stating that anything they do post, including their names, will be publicly viewable to others, so they should use caution.

"I think the patient needs to understand that he should not share more than he is comfortable with being online," Schiffman says.

Many of the other potential problems of sharing patient stories online can be solved with good communication, the experts say. If patients know what is going to be shared and approve of it, they are much less likely to complain or ask that it be taken down.

"Anything shared has to be approved," says Linda Williams. "I say, ‘No one will see this until you approve it, and we will kill the story if you feel uncomfortable.' We are really super sensitive about that."

Fayter says she also tries to use as much discretion as possible when posting about patients, even after they have given her a consent form.

"I don't necessarily use their full name and I don't tag people personally," she says. "I also don't get into any medical specifications, such as their amputation level."

Staff Training

Employees should be trained about social media HIPAA breaches just as they are trained about other types of breaches, the experts say.

If all employees aren't thoroughly trained, it can be problematic Schiffman says. He once had a case where an employee tagged a selfie of herself at work and that post ended up on the company's social media account. The employee did not realize that she accidentally had patient health information in the background of the picture, in violation of HIPAA. When the patient saw that on social media, the practice had to take it down and the employee was disciplined.

"It took a lot of work for what was just supposed to be a simple tagged photo," Schiffman says.

Part of that training should include information about what the practice does and does not want to post on social media. The policy should also warn employees about their personal accounts, he says.

In general, the experts say, it's a good idea to have a single person assigned to posting to the social media channels, rather than having several people in charge of it. First of all, this helps ensure that the person posting has been trained about being compliant with HIPAA. Second, it's also just a good practice to keep a consistent voice on the social media channels.

"There's a consistency you want on the posts—the writing style, the look and feel, and the direction," says Trevor Williams, a partner for The Brand Counselors. "Having one point person, you have one person who is accountable. It would be tough to have multiple people doing it."

Fayter says at Coyote that everyone discusses social media and will send her pictures and ideas, but she is the one responsible for what gets posted and what doesn't.

"I think you should have one person consistently post to make sure you have a consistent message and it always sounds the same," she says. "You do have to watch how you word things and you want to sound professional and consistent and along the company guidelines."

Consistent and Positive Messaging

Of all of the social media recommendations from the experts, there are two that they all agree on: be consistent and be positive.

Consistency is key because it keeps the practice in the eyes of the people it wants to reach.

"You can't just post every other week," Fayter says. "Everything comes up in a feed and most people will scroll up maybe three or four times. Unless they go to your page, they aren't going to see your posts if you aren't consistent."

Trevor Williams says he is also consistent with the types of posts he releases and when he posts them, so the readers know what to expect. For example, every Friday he has a "Fab Friday" post that highlights something new that has been fabricated. For example, during baseball season, the post may show a socket that has been decorated with Mets or Yankees logos. This helps him keep on track about what to post, highlights the practice's work, and gets the audience looking forward to something new each week.

Staying positive is also crucial when posting online, even if patients themselves are not positive. In the case of a negative online review, the experts say it's important to respond to what is said so that others know the practice cares about it.

While responding to negative reviews is important, Schiffman says, for HIPAA compliance, the responder should be careful not to confirm that the comment poster is a patient. For example, instead of writing, "We are sorry you had a bad experience at our practice," the responder should post something like, "Thank you for your comments. We take comments like these very seriously," and then offer to take the conversation offline or through personal direct messages.

"This way, you are saying that there was an experience, but I am not telling you that the person was a patient," Schiffman says. "This also allows the person to feel validated."

Staying positive doesn't mean just sticking to the stories of the O&P practice. Patients like a good story or motivational quote wherever it comes from.

Trevor Williams says he will post quotes or feel-good stories from other media because that is what his readers want. Their readers especially love to see stories of kids who are living and thriving with their devices.

Through Progressive's social media, Linda Williams says she loves to be able to post the successes of its patients, but what's really fun is when she sees the patients connecting through them and then cheering on one another.

"For me, it's about that," she says. "It's about the building our community."

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