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I figured I'd give it a try since speaking in my language failed. You know I've learned a couple of things over the years here. I don't mean just facts and ideas, but about communicating with people. I gave a talk last week about Facebook, Amazon, and Google, rather than bombarding the audience with facts and figures I decided to tell more of my story to connect with people on a more human (emotional level). Afterward the organizer told me what she really liked about my talk was that it was informative but I also made it "personal." Communicating in a language people understand is a worthy goal. Thanks everyone.

I agree that the masses are easily manipulated and that there are masters who have perfected the art of manipulating others for personal gain and ego gratification, especially in the political arena where image is everything, and where staffs exist for the purpose of advising candidates on how to mesmerize audiences. i also don't put anything past private industry when it uses subliminal advertising to sell products or Big Pharma and its designer drugs that hook white suburbanites, - who, incidentally, have their kids injected with vaccines just like everyone else. Militant black men in Afro-centric garb, wearing serpentine dread locks are particularly vocal about birth control clinics in black neighborhoods but rarely offer alternatives except to foolishly advise single sistas to "keep on havin' them babies"! Or have i ever doubted that the cigarette industry contrived to addict the general public to nicotine, a travesty that was exposed by the government. And, of course, there was Microsoft's latest scam that involved slowing down older iPhones. i am not naive as to how profit driven the world is. As an aside, it should be noted, that demographics play a big part in marketing, and specific groups of consumers are targeted in one way or another by companies that specialize in providing diverse groups their specific needs. Supply and demand is the gospel of a capitalistic country like America and it permeates our way of life. That's why I also know that all those being manipulated are not above manipulating others in their day-to-day lives. Ethics and scruples are in short supply today and the majority of folks will try and get away with anything they can. Everybody is seeking self empowerment. Obviously, i have never bought into the idea that there is a secret government network that specifically targets black people, and is busily at work to bring about dire results. Ironically, partisan politics is a kind of safety net that prevents the government from being unified enough to personify an organized evil force that wide-eyed conspiracy theorists, who are "in the know", warn about. I look at the big picture, and i question out-dated studies, and inconclusive results, and I take feasibility and logistics into account. Nobody holds this country in contempt any more than i but i always challenge what others are adamant about. That's what my man, Buddha, advised people to do. When it comes to Oprah, what i really noticed about her speech was that there was no spontaneity to it. It was well-crafted and well rehearsed and delivered with the gusto she is so good at displaying. Nobody can deny that she is a good performer. As for her running for president, i'm not enthusiastic. It would be Obama all over again. Considering her resume, she would fall into the category of being a president who is a black woman, not a black woman who is president. She would be trapped in the familiar scenario of not being able to please everybody, and would end up the butt of criticism for not catering to the demands of the different factions who helped elect her. She can do more good by just being a private citizen who gives dynamic speeches that make headlines. IMO.

3. Think Like an Editorial Director - and curate and create News your audience can use. Even if you have one name on your mailing list treat that one person like she represents 1,000 subscribers because she does if we can depend on exponential growth. Sometimes good content could be related to your book's subject matter - especially if you're an expert. Other times you may have to think beyond your book and really know what your customers need. For example, @CDBurns runs a website with the tagline "in-depth sneaker info. http://arch-usa.com/ I haven't sign up for his mailing list but I do follow him and his conversation on disqus. Chris Burns designs,and runs his shoe business but he also has his own publishing arm to the business too. Burns is ahead of the curve. Major Brands are now just realizing that they need a media department. I thought about him when writing this post because just yesterday, he told me about Brooks running shoes and their partnership with Black Girls Run. I'm not a sneaker head but his information appeals to me. This means when I think of sneakers, I remember him. You connecting with your audience through your expertise means they will remember you too.

Are you collecting sales, likes or customers? One thing that soured me on selling books through amazondotcom and even luludotcom was both companies had information on those who purchased my books that I didn't have. Not knowing my customers put me at a disadvantage. It meant that when I had a new book they might like I had to wait until Amazon or lulu got around to telling them. What if I just wanted to keep in touch? I'm a firm believer in KIT Marketing (Keep in Touch Marketing) I also couldn't reach out to them to find out what they liked about my book...( knowing what customers like helps you to create more of it.) \ All this to say; 2. if you haven't already started, It's time to build your own mailing list.

@Cynique Your post communicates perfectly why I've been rolling my eyes since social media has all but put Oprah on the 2020 Presidential ballot. I''m embarrassed by how we, United States citizens, act as if we're extras in a television show. I'm still waiting for the fall of Rome because so far, I see the entire civilization continuously play out in my newspaper, social media and sometimes television (if I don't have it tuned to some fantasy show). I didn't watch the golden globe award show because I don't watch award shows...but folks being moved by an Oprah speech means we are truly controlled by mythology and storytelling. We fall for the facade of shiny things and really don't look for substance anymore. As much as I write about the benefits of an Obama Administration, I've never fell victim to his narrative. Quiet as kept, I never listened to his speeches either. I read them. This after I learned from a Chicago reporter, who covered him in early years, how Mr. Obama practiced his cadence until he perfected it to stir the audience. Anyway, I see the same in Oprah. She has goals and she achieves them. I admire that in her, period. But like the rest of the players, she has the hero's journey (monomyth) down to a science and people respond emotionally. Like you've written, she's the photo negative of 45*. Oprah was most likely tapped because "they" suspect 45* isn't the beacon for consumer spending. Nothing tanks America's economy faster than us holding onto our purse strings. If folks can't see how easily we're played then we need to revisit all 11 seasons of the X-Files

Crown Prince William is saving the monarchy in the same way his mother did.