We need Facebook likes. Your post gets only 10.

By -

Let me begin by saying to all those who seek numbers - Number Game is a big business and only a few understand it. When a post gets hundreds of likes on Facebook, it's a combination of - friend count, time of posting, interaction level, and ease of reading. Hence pictures get more likes than words. So, don't judge a post on the basis of 'like count,' check its quality.
Now let me go a step ahead and tell you the business aspect of it - Facebook and Instagram don't allow your post to reach all your followers. As a Facebook Page owner, my post reaches only 2-5% on good days. And as someone who has changed her Instagram to a business profile, my post reaches only 20-25%. Both these platforms prompt me to 'promote' my posts. They are in a business. They want profiles like mine to spend money before we even make a dollar on it. So, next time you see a profile with 1000s of likes with unmatched follower count, take it from me - something is fishy. In fact, Instagram interaction has dropped by 38% since August.
Being a writer I find it most amusing when brands tell me how much I am worth. Well, let me put it this way - You may shop cheap. I, my dear friend, have quality. And to get it, you need to open your wallet. If you want only likes, why not buy it? In case you want it free, there are apps too. But you will only get likes, not genuine interaction! I understand you need numbers, just a word of caution - fake numbers are not good for business.
In the end, I want to share how I actually feel. Last Saturday, I wrote a Hindi couplet, and I loved it. I was so happy with it that I repeated it many times. It gave me immense joy to create something that has the magic of language, words and emotions. I don't know it's good, bad or whether it would attract numbers. But it just made my day! That's the most satisfying thing for a writer. No amount of money can take that away from me. And no amount of money can buy that kind of happiness.

As far as businesses are concerned, I am happy to work with those who share my ideologies.

The magical potion with dose of love, rain and romance -

My reply to Zuckerberg -



Comments

  1. Writefully YoursMarch 27, 2017 at 2:30 PM

    Quality content needs to reach out to the people for it to get it's due. That's facebook's business model. It still is easier to understand and implement than Twitter.
    Having said that, I agree with you that for a writer, or any artist for that matter, genuine likes and praises are worth a million bucks !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalMarch 28, 2017 at 3:42 PM

      Social media, as I said, is a business model. Unless your post goes viral, chances of it getting more audience are bleak to none.

      You are right. Genuine appreciation is worth a million bucks.

      Delete
  2. Balroop SinghMarch 27, 2017 at 3:01 PM

    Ha ha ha!! Saru I love your sense of humour! Thanks for putting a big smile on my face with that shagun and hisab barabar hashtag...love it! love it!! :)
    That is why I have never bothered to pamper Facebook. I do share my posts but they never get any viewership and I know that but I have no money to throw at their face! I believe in organic likes.
    Writing has never been my business nor it ever would be. I don't want to be called 'a struggling writer'...so I focus my struggles elsewhere.
    Love that wonderful Hindi couplet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalMarch 28, 2017 at 3:45 PM

      We sail in the same boat. I write to liberate myself, and not to be salve of marketing gimmicks.

      Thank you so much for reading. Your presence is valuable ❤

      Delete
  3. RachnaMarch 27, 2017 at 10:15 PM

    Crazy PRs, I tell you. Good on you to know where you will not compromise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalMarch 28, 2017 at 3:53 PM

      I am still learning to say no where I am not comfortable.

      Delete
  4. ParulMarch 28, 2017 at 1:38 AM

    Ha ha! I love you for writing this. Numbers on FB haven't worried me ever. Of course there are the popular accounts but the joy that I get when people genuinely Whatspp/DM to share how much they loved reading what I wrote beats all number game :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalMarch 30, 2017 at 10:04 AM

      I concur. Nothing beats genuine and personal feedback. On that note, let me tell you, I love you and your work. <3

      Delete
  5. upasnaMarch 28, 2017 at 3:39 AM

    Oh Saru, you are so right, Numbers doesn't matter for us. You won't believe that yesterday, your posts made my husband and me sit together for a conversation. I read aloud your hashtag stories to him. We laughed, we agreed together. I am so thankful to you. Keep coming up with these brilliant verses. Loved that shagun wali line :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalMarch 30, 2017 at 10:07 AM

      You guys made my day. Can't thank you enough!

      Much love, Upasna <3

      Delete
  6. rupam sarmaMarch 28, 2017 at 4:10 AM

    Loved the post :))

    ReplyDelete
  7. Saumy NagayachMarch 28, 2017 at 4:14 AM

    If I go by numbers then I'm the least known person among my friends on FB. I hardly get 10 or more likes on my posts but that's not the only parameter that approves my content. And I so agree with you on the point that it's the inner satisfaction that counts and weighs more than anything else.

    And that hisaab barabar response to Zuckerberg is epic. :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalMarch 30, 2017 at 11:53 AM

      True, nothing beats contentment.

      Thank you for reading, Saumy.

      Delete
  8. Lady FiMarch 28, 2017 at 4:44 AM

    So true - number of likes doesn't equal true worth.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AmiMarch 28, 2017 at 6:30 AM

    This is a classic case of number vs engagement - a topic of debate amidst all marketeers. Can't agree more to your views. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalApril 5, 2017 at 12:38 PM

      I wish people pay more heed to engagement than numbers.

      Delete
  10. docdivatravellerMarch 28, 2017 at 7:10 AM

    This is hilarious! Yet so true...the audience needs to focus on quality and fb needs to help too!
    www.docdivatraveller.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownMarch 28, 2017 at 9:22 AM

    This is so realistic and also, I loved your hindi lines. They are just awesome :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. RKHC PolyclinicMarch 28, 2017 at 9:43 AM

    There is an exception, I think. Those posts that go viral get social shares go way beyond the Facebook membership count.

    It's said every blogger gets at least one viral once in their lifetime. Nothing prepares you for that watershed event. It's those posts that defy all logic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalApril 5, 2017 at 12:50 PM

      I agree. Viral posts are an exception. And I pray mine goes viral once. :)

      Delete
  13. Purba chakrabortyMarch 28, 2017 at 12:32 PM

    I agree with you Saru. By buying likes, you get only likes, not genuine interaction. And I loved the Hindi couplet.

    ReplyDelete
  14. RajlakshmiMarch 28, 2017 at 5:12 PM

    Yeah the numbers used to disappoint me a lot... But later on I read how popular accounts buy followers to be more visible. I, infact, went to their follower list and checked hundreds of account... Most turned out to be fake profiles or profiles created for such purpose. (yes I was so distraught at not gaining followers that I scrolled through each profile... Kitna time hai mere pass ��) like you I love creating stuffs and that itself gives such a satisfying feeling �� and your shayari is ekdum Top level. Invokes all kinds of feeling in me ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalApril 5, 2017 at 12:57 PM

      I did the same. I was disappointed and questioned the quality of my work. But doing that brought peace. And yes, we are free. We can dig things when we want to.

      The high of creating something is unparalleled. You draw, practice yoga, travel and write. By my standard, you are a superwoman. Much love, Raj <3

      Delete
  15. Roma Gupta SinhaMarch 29, 2017 at 7:48 AM

    You nailed with your Jyarah Rupay Shagun tit-for-tat punch love...I agree the posts don't reach their due but probably they too are in business and have to pay salaries, is how poor writers like us can appease ourselves :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalApril 5, 2017 at 1:01 PM

      We are always at the receiving end. But, no worry, we are happy with what we have.

      Delete
  16. Jayashree SrivatsanMarch 29, 2017 at 9:52 AM

    You are right... Images and meme s get maximum attention on fb

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tarang SinhaMarch 29, 2017 at 11:20 AM

    Oh, no one likes my fb posts (I don't have a personal account. Just a page), and nobody reads my blogposts. So, I am stress-free! :)

    Such an honest post.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Vishal BheerooMarch 29, 2017 at 12:29 PM

    Your post resonates with me. I have stopped trusting numbers be it hits or likes...I am unaware what Facebook looks like...hehe

    ReplyDelete
  19. दिगम्बर नासवाMarch 30, 2017 at 1:03 AM

    Well said ... when you are writing you want to satisfy your inner sense, you want to feel a inner joy which is beyond words ...
    आपकी दो लाइनें सच मे कमाल की हैं ...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Gopesh SharmaMarch 30, 2017 at 6:59 AM

    Please convert it to dollar "maine bhi soch liya hai Zuckerberg ki beti ki shaadi mein 11 rupay shagun dungi"

    ReplyDelete
  21. anindyaMarch 30, 2017 at 9:39 PM

    You nailed it :-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. My EraMarch 30, 2017 at 10:08 PM

    An artist/ writer in love with his/ her craft creates with all their love. The number of likes or retweets can never certify its beauty or quality. And the same holds true for the people who try to buy words cheap, let not those who cannot value your skill get a piece of your beautiful words. It's totally their loss.
    Loved the couplet and this honest post, Saru ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nisha JhaApril 2, 2017 at 4:30 PM

    I so hear you ! And I'm in the same boat.

    I have no idea how some PR companies and brands could be so dumb to ask for likes and not engagements.

    Genuine likes on Instagram are normally 10% of total followers if you have less followers. as they increase in number, likes start falling ... less than 10%

    ReplyDelete
  24. ShaiviApril 7, 2017 at 10:11 AM

    I find page likes fake. In fact I wonder how promoting post by paying Facebook can help me reach people who understand my thoughts. After all, as a blogger its not about just money our sponsored blogging for me. It is more about sharing my thoughts with like minded people.

    ReplyDelete

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