The document discusses how people consume media across 6 different "media attention zones" and the implications for reaching each zone. It focuses on how polarization exists both online through echo chambers and social media networks as well as offline through reluctance to discuss disagreeable issues. Finally, it provides recommendations for crafting engagement strategies based on understanding audience behaviors and preferences across different online platforms.
The Media Zones Where People Live And How To Connect With Them
1. The Media Zones Where People Live
And How to Connect With Them
Sara Goo @sarakgoo
Senior Digital Editor, Pew Research Center
Knight Digital Media
Charlotte
2.
3. Today’s Agenda
• The 6 media-attention zones. Understand
where your online audience is by how they
consume information
• Social media: The platforms; the networks;
Echo chamber /Empty chamber.
• Political Polarization: Not talking to each other
AT ALL
4. The 6 Media-Attention Zones*
Q: Which zone is your audience in?
How can you reach them?
6. How it works
• Motive – learning, mastery, productivity
• Content – actionable info, how-to
sensibility, links and other resources
• Device – desktop / laptop
• Engagement – full attention – vertical
reading
• Influentials – trusted brands and known
experts (professional and amateur)
• ~ Mindshare – quarter to a third of media
time
7. Implication for media and activists
• Engagement strategy
– Search optimized / findable
– Acting as information Sherpas
– Problem solving mindset
– Easy cut and paste
– FAQs
– How-to videos
– Feedback friendly
9. How it works
• Motive – real-time awareness
• Content – headlines, new information, first
impressions matter most
• Device – smartphone, tablet
• Engagement – glancing OR galvanized
• Influentials – brands
• ~ Mindshare – < 5% of media time
10. Implication for media and activists
• Engagement strategy
– News, especially scoops
– Deals
– Location enabled
– Insights from analytics
12. How it works
• Motive – killing time, beating boredom
• Content – gamified, bite-size headlines, link-dense
• Device – smartphone
• Engagement – distracted, quick-twitch
• Influentials – brands, quality of social network
• ~ Mindshare – 5%-10% of media time
13. Implication for media and activists
• Engagement strategy
– Apps
– Immediate connection
– Predictable and compelling home screen
– Grabby copy / activity
– Clear and consistent Return on My Attention
15. How it works
• Motive – catching up / checking in / curiosity
• Content – news (broad definition), social updates
• Device – any / all
• Engagement – continuous partial attention /
horizontal scans / sharing
• Influentials – editors, social networks
• ~ Mindshare – quarter to a third of media time
16. Implication for media and activists
• Engagement strategy
– Apps
– Smart curation
– Customizable filters
– Compelling ecosystem of content
– Tagging and saving for future immersion
– Social network mediated
– Serendipity encounters
18. How it works
• Motive – friend grooming
• Content – social, personal, entertaining
• Device – all
• Engagement – partial, browsing
• Influentials – super-networkers / primary nodes
in the network
• ~ Mindshare – 10% of media time
19. Implication for media and activists
• Engagement strategy
– Social networks are gatekeepers
– Spreadable content
– Treat central network nodes like traditional media
influences
– Enable participation and feedback
21. How it works
• Motive – my permissions
• Content – personalized, anticipatory
• Device – my surroundings
• Engagement – immersive, invisible
• Influentials – my past behavior, analytics,
algorithms
• ~ Mindshare – most waking hours
23. Implication for media and activists
• Engagement strategy
– Selective product placement and messaging
– Permission-based monitoring / interactions
– Careful of privacy sensitivities
– Careful of too much “monetization”
28. Your goal: Move people from one level of
engagement to the next highest one
http://www.idealware.org/articles/engagement-pyramid-six-levels-connecting-people-and-social-change
29. Your optimum moments
• When you are making news
• When you can add to news-driven
conversations
• When your “close up” unexpectedly comes
• When your evangelists work their networks
• When you can recruit unexpected allies
• When someone on the “other side” embraces
you
30. “Civic life is networked life with
network information created and
shared by networked individuals and
networked organizations”
--Lee Rainie, Dir. Pew Internet
31. Social Media & Civic Life
• Who’s on social & which platforms?
• What people want/don’t want to
discuss
• Echo chamber/Empty chamber
32. Social Networking Trend Over Time
8%
% of internet users who use
social networking sites
37%
61%
67% 73%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Winter 2005 Fall 2008 Fall 2010 Fall 2012 Fall 2013
33. Usage by older adults is growing fast, but
younger users still lead the way
90%
78%
65%
46%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
18-29 30-49 50-64 65+
34. Facebook is by far the dominant platform in
overall numbers
35. But other sites have comparable levels of
user engagement
% of … users who check in daily:
63% -- Facebook
57% -- Instagram
46% -- Twitter
23% -- Pinterest
13% -- LinkedIn
36. And each site has its own unique user mix
Facebook – Looks like the internet user
population, just younger
Twitter – Young, ethnically diverse, mobile-centric,
urban
Instagram – See Twitter
Pinterest – Women
LinkedIn – Middle-aged professionals; ages 30-64
reddit – Men 18-29
37. Two tales of media/social media and politics
Echo chamber Empty chamber
39. Echo chamber in Twitter
www.pewinternet.org
Conservatives:
Dominated by
references to
conservative
hashtags such as
#tcot and #tlot …
and by
commentators such
as @DailyCaller,
@TheTeaParty_net
Liberals:
Dominated by
references to
liberal hashtags
such as #ows and
#P2, … and by
commentators
such as
@NHLABOR_NEWS
and @Politics_PR
40.
41. Familiar?
www.pewinternet.org
Conservatives:
Dominated by
references to
conservative
hashtags such as
#tcot and #tlot …
and by
commentators such
as @DailyCaller,
@TheTeaParty_net
Liberals:
Dominated by
references to
liberal hashtags
such as #ows and
#P2, … and by
commentators
such as
@NHLABOR_NEWS
and @Politics_PR
44. 2012 election – Political content
posted by social networking site users
All / almost all Most Some Just a little None at all
2
4
6
15
13
29
37
50
31
11
What user
posts
What users'
friends post
79%
42%
45. What do they do when disagreement
occurs?
• 71% usually ignore the material
• 23% say they usually respond
• 4% say it depends on the circumstances
46. It can be a source of frustration and
annoyance when things turns political
47. Case Study: Snowden/NSA
Spiral of Silence? Survey: Americans are divided
• 86% of Americans willing to
have in-person conversation
about Snowden revelations
• Just 42% of Americans who
are on Facebook or Twitter
were willing to discuss it
there
• People overall more willing
to discuss views if they think
people agree
49. More social media users are engaging in
political activities there
28%
20% 21%
11% 12% 13%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Post political news Friend or follow
political figures
Start or join political
group
2008 2012
50.
51. SNS discussions can spur more info seeking
or involvement
43% of SNS users have decided to learn more
about a political or social issue because of
something they read on social media
18% of SNS users have decided to take action
involving a political or social issue because of
something they read on social media
52. At the same time, most “calls to action”
occur outside of social media
53. Case Study: John Oliver
• Pew Research data analysis of
450,000 public comments to the
FCC on Net Neutrality found huge
spike in comments in week
following John Oliver’s segment on
HBO
• During same period, found few
stories of net neutrality on three
major cable networks.
• Found few stories in 25 largest US
newspapers
• Heavy promotion of YouTube clip
on advocacy web sites urging
public to send comments to the
FCC
• 83% of comments to FCC were
form letters from advocacy groups
55. #1: People want to “live” with likeminded
people on social media
56. #2: People on the “edges” are more likely to
be politically active on social media
% of SNS users who are politically active on
73%
social media
60%
56%
82%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Conservative
Rep
Mod/Lib Rep Mod/Cons Dem Liberal Dem
57. #3: They’re also more likely to say that
convos on social media have inspired action
% of Social Media users who have taken action
on a political issue based on what they read
21%
11% 10%
27%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Conservative
Rep
Mod/Lib Rep Mod/Cons Dem Liberal Dem
60. #1: Are you trying to activate the “poles”?
They like you and/or your cause (or possibly hate
you and think you’re destroying America)
They are probably already talking about you (and
if they aren’t already, they’d probably like to)
Social media offers a way to find, identify, and
reach your “super fans”
They want to be part of the team and convert their
friends—if you let them
61. #2: Or are you trying to rouse the middle?
Don’t engage consistently with politics
They probably don’t really know or care very much
about your particular issue
Their tolerance threshold is probably fairly low…
But they can be encouraged to learn/act/change!
Sometimes that happens because of big events
that grab their attention—but many times it’s at
the behest of someone from the previous group
62. #3: Think about your audience/community
People use digital platforms for two reasons:
1) Their friends are there
2) The content they like is there
When planning an outreach strategy, consider:
1) Where does my audience “live”?
2) Is my content relevant for this platform?
63. Sara Goo
Pew Research Center’s Internet Project
sgoo@pewresearch.org
@sarakgoo
@pewresearch
@facttank
66. And also growing apart in their personal
opinions and preferences
67. People want to live with others who share
their political views
68. And even see the other side as a threat to
the very future of America as we know it
69.
70. Sara Goo
Pew Research Center’s Internet Project
sgoo@pewresearch.org
@sarakgoo
@pewresearch
@facttank
Notas del editor
Title: The media spaces where people live … and how to connect with them
Subject: Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet Project, will discuss the Project’s research about how people use technology and the different ways they allocate their attention, connect with organizations, and act as citizens. He will explore how civic institutions can navigate in this complicated, diversified environment
Alerts
Breaking news / events
Motive – browsing for updates / checking in / catching up
Content – News (very broad definition), social updates
Device – Any
Mental engagement / frame of mind – continuous partial attention
Gatekeepers and influencers – editors and social networks
Proportion of time – quarter to a third of media time
Best media strategy – apps, shareable content, mediated by networks, curated by editors
Unique point – this is new phenomenon in the digital age
[[[[Alerts]]]]]
[[[[Anticipatory – IoT]]]]
danah boyd stuff
http://www.idealware.org/articles/engagement-pyramid-six-levels-connecting-people-and-social-change
Engagement Level 1: “Observing”
(bottom of the engagement pyramid)Primary engagement goals:
Inspire initial and repeat contact with the organization. Mindset of person being engaged Interested in the cause and aware of the organization. Awareness is the major factor. “I care enough about the issue to be aware of your organization’s existence, but you haven’t given me reason or opportunity to investigate you first-hand.
”Nature of engagement - Sporadic, indirect communications.
Communications Person takes occasional, distracted glances at the organization’s work. These indirect communications may be via word-of-mouth, social media or traditional media. Person may visit the organization’s website but does not provide contact information, so any direct communication is at their initiative. Communications focus on information sharing and awareness-building.
Action Deciding to visit organization’s website or attend an event.ExamplesHearing about an organization’s work from a friend via email or a Facebook or Twitter post. Hearing about the work through a newspaper article or blog or by attending an event.
Engagement metrics Website traffic, aided and unaided recognition polling.
Engagement Level 2: “Following”
Primary engagement goals Offer value and secure permission to deliver direct, proactive communications.
Mindset of person being engaged. Understands and is interested in the cause and cares somewhat about the organization. Attention is the major factor. “I care enough about your work to open my stream of incoming communications to you, but there’s no guarantee I’ll look at what you send me.”Nature of engagement Regular, direct communications.
Communications Person receives ongoing stream of communications focused on information sharing and piquing interest. These updates keep the organization’s work front-of-mind and build enthusiasm.
Action Providing contact information. Reading and watching direct communications from organization.ExamplesSubscribing to an email distribution list, print newsletter or an RSS feed. Signing up on a list at an event. Note that Facebook fans and to some degree Twitter followers blur the lines between levels two and three because the public nature of following an organization on a social network is also a mild form of endorsement.
Engagement metrics Newsletter subscriptions, opens and click-through metrics. RSS subscriptions. Twitter followers and Facebook fans.
Engagement Level 3: “Endorsing”
Primary engagement goals Earn enough trust to secure endorsement of the work.
Mindset of person being engaged. Believes in the mission and trusts the organization enough to approve the use of their name to endorse the organization, its programs or a particular campaign. The endorsement may also include a nominal financial contribution. Trust and time are the major factors. “I endorse the work you do, but it is your work and I’m not prepared to invest a significant amount of my time/money in it.”
Nature of engagement Straightforward, single-step, transactions.
Communications Regular, direct mass communications to inform and pique interest, punctuated by concise, persuasive communications leading to a simple call to action.
Action Simple, quick acts with little risk or investment of resources; commitments limited enough to be made on impulse rather than through real deliberation.ExamplesExamples of endorsement include: low-level membership pledges, forwarding email, and petition signing. Becoming a fan on Facebook and even a follower on Twitter might be construed as a low-level endorsement.
Engagement metrics Number of membership or other lower-level contributions, public endorsements (such as petition signing), contacting officials, and email forwards. Conversion and renewal rates. Social media forwarding/sharing.
Engagement Level 4: “Contributing”
Primary engagement goals Deepen commitment to the mission and the work.
Mindset of person being engaged
Contributes significant time, financial or social capital to the organization. Time and money are the major factors. “I’m committed to the work and will pitch in to help, but don’t expect me to assume responsibility.”
Nature of engagement Multi-step assignments.
Communications Regular, direct mass communications to inform and pique interest, accompanied by periodic, personal email, phone calls or face-to-face meetings to share information and coordinate on a discrete project or request for funding.
Action Contributions are not made on impulse – only after due consideration. Habitual contributions may feel like impulse decisions (writing the year-end check or coming into the office regularly to volunteer), but they are part of a larger pattern of behavior indicating a considered investment in the mission. Significant contributions of time and resources become an expression of values and beliefs. The best volunteer jobs are concrete assignments with clearly defined deliverables and good staff oversight.
Examples Writing or reviewing organizational marketing materials, making personally significant donations, attending public hearings, or joining a committee or task force.
Engagement metrics Growth in the number of active volunteers and significant donors; conversion and renewal rates; volunteer hours and contributed dollars.
Engagement Level 5: “Owning”
Primary engagement goals Instill and develop a sense of responsibility for the mission.
Mindset of person being engaged Fully invested in the mission and success of the organization, a program or campaign. Mission-relevant knowledge and skills are the major factors. “You can count on me to figure out what needs doing and to be responsible for getting the job done in the way that makes the most sense.”
Nature of engagement Ongoing, collaborative actions.
Communications Regular, direct mass communications to inform and pique interest, accompanied by regular personal email, phone calls and face-to-face meetings to collaborate on ongoing projects. Flow of communication is two-way and conversational.
Action Investments of time, financial and social capital increase, often blurring together. These investments confer a sense of ownership in the organization’s work. Financial support is significant enough that the person feels warranted in their desire to shape the work and understand its impact. Contributions become a creative outlet and expression of passion. People begin using the term “we” instead of “you” when talking about the organization.
Examples Deep volunteer involvement in a program or board membership; testifying at a public hearing; blogging or otherwise publishing about the organization’s work.
Engagement metrics Metrics become less quantitative, more subjective, which necessitates assessing perceptions through interviews and surveys.
Engagement Level 6: “Leading”
(top of the engagement pyramid)
Primary engagement goals Develop leadership skills and opportunities.
Mindset of person being engaged
Leads others in carrying out the organization’s work. Leadership skills are the major factor. “I’m willing to lead us in carrying out this mission.”
Nature of engagement Ongoing acts of leadership.
Communications Regular, direct mass communications to inform and pique interest, accompanied by regular personal email, phone calls and face-to-face meetings to support the mission. Communication flow is often initiated by the person, rather than the organization.
Action The engaged becomes the engager, so deeply committed to the mission they now focus their energy on engaging and leading others in the work. Focus of energy broadens from campaigns and programs to a more holistic mission focus.
Examples Community organizers who find and development talent in their community; board members who take on real governance and leadership of the organization.
Engagement metrics Metrics become less quantitative and more subjective, which necessitates assessing perceptions through interviews and surveys.
73% of internet users = 63% of all adults
42% of online adults use two or more of social networks, 36% use only one
Among single-site users, 84% say that Facebook is their single site
Among single-site users who *do not* use Facebook, things look different than you might expect: 8% use LinkedIn, 4% use Pinterest, and just 2% each use Instagram or Twitter
But in general there is a ton of overlap between Facebook and other sites—93% of Instagram users, 90% of Twitter users, and 87% of Pinterest users also use FB
Even as people are diversifying the sites they use, Facebook remains the central spoke that they branch out from. Ignore the “Facebook is dead” articles that keep popping up.
Twitter: 40% of black internet users ages 18-29 use Twitter