Facebook helped

Feedback on Facebook helped me make a difficult choice of school for my children. Social media isn’t just somewhere to sell, build your brand or find news. It can also offer some really good perspectives on a dilemma in your private life or business.

Social media should give the audience something too

I’m on my way to P4 to talk about what the hell I’ve been doing these past few years. It’s flattering, but that’s not really what I want to discuss here. I’ve just had an experience with Facebook that taught me a great deal.

Some people have seen the light with social media. They sell products, build their company’s brand and learn things. Others still think it’s a waste of time. My favourites are Facebook and Twitter. I’ve also tried Google Plus, which I thought back then was as good as Facebook and better in some ways. There just weren’t many people there yet.

Among other things, I’ve sold talks and drawn attention to my work through these media. But much of what you share needs to be really relevant to the audience. If you only use it to sell yourself all the time, people won’t want to participate. Also read E-pusher about selling and marketing online.

I don’t necessarily write that much myself on Twitter. I find great things and retweet them. I also find good articles to post on Amino Børs with the short business news items. It’s a way to both stay informed and pass something on.

A cosy private school or a large state school?

After returning to Denmark, my two children are due to start school after the summer holidays, in reception and third grade respectively. We’ve looked around the area where we’ll live and see two relevant options.

One is a small, cosy private school with around 10–12 children in each class. It’s in a lovely location and has plenty going for it. But the average grades aren’t particularly high, and facilities are limited.

The outdoor space is small, and so is the space indoors. I call the gym a postage stamp and describe the home economics room as a sink and an oven. With Denmark’s weather so often bad, I think it’s a shame there aren’t better opportunities for PE.

And honestly: With so few children in the classes at a private school that charges fees, I think you could expect better grades. That’s my assessment while facing the choice, not a general study of private schools.

I want the basics to be right

Grades aren’t the only thing that matters. Of course the children need to be happy. But there aren’t many things you can measure when choosing a school. If the rooms, teachers and facilities otherwise look sensible, I also think whether the children learn something matters.

I’m glad myself to be bloody good at basic multiplication, expressing myself and spelling. I’ve benefited a lot from that in my life. Integral calculus and lists of monarchs are another matter. For those, I can use Google, a calculator or employees. But I want to have the basic skills under control.

The other option is a large, modern state school with high average grades. I describe it as one of Denmark’s best schools. It’s free, the classes aren’t too big and the facilities are good.

But it’s less cosy. The schoolyard with its tarmac and covered areas resembles the school I attended: a little characterless, but more modern. The headteacher makes a really good impression, with punch and power. Even so, I find the choice difficult.

Feedback on Facebook made my own values clearer

I posted on my Facebook page explaining the circumstances of both options. Then around 188 comments arrived. In the video, I first say 180, but later return to 188. People gave long explanations, ideas and arguments for both schools.

It wasn’t simply that a majority pointed to the large state school and I followed them. I thought the arguments for it were fantastic, and my children are capable and well supported. The discussion helped me understand what I should prioritise.

I sound very certain now, but that’s precisely because of the comments. Before them, I was unsure how to weigh the different considerations. It felt like throwing out a lifeline in a quiz and getting help putting things in perspective.

We’ve now chosen the large state school. Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply. The input came from headteachers, teachers, pupils and parents, among others. It was incredibly valuable.

You don’t need ten thousand followers to get help

It could just as easily have been a business dilemma. After that experience, I’ll put more challenges to the community. So social media can also provide perspectives on problems you can’t work out yourself.

You may think it’s easy for me because I have over 10,000 Facebook followers. I mention around 10,300–10,400 in the video. If you only have 400, however, I think you may have a closer relationship with them, so a greater proportion might want to reply.

You might not get 188 comments. But 12 or 15 good contributions can be fantastic help too.

Keep confidential personnel matters out of public discussion

Of course it needs to be a problem that isn’t too secret. It’s no good asking on a public page whether you should fire Britta. She’d probably find that a violation. And if she stays, she might not be particularly motivated afterwards.

Share a dilemma where the community can help with perspective. Then these media can give you something entirely different from yet another opportunity to sell. See you on the radio in a moment. Take care.