#Social Media Performance Metrics

[digitalrhetoricpune]

How to Use Social Media Analytics to Refine Your Strategy

Why Social Media Analytics Matter

Analytics provide valuable insights into your audience’s behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns. By understanding what works and what doesn’t, you can refine your content and strategies to drive better results. Here’s why social media insights for growth are crucial:

Audience Understanding: Gain a deep understanding of your followers’ demographics, preferences, and online activity.

Content Performance: Identify the type of content that drives the most engagement.

Competitor Analysis: Monitor competitors’ performance to identify opportunities and gaps.

ROI Measurement: Determine the effectiveness of your campaigns in achieving business goals.

Key Social Media Performance Metrics to Track

To make informed decisions, track the following social media performance metrics:

Engagement Rate: Measures likes, comments, shares, and overall interactions.

Reach and Impressions: Indicates how far your content is spreading.

Click-Through Rate (CTR): Tracks the percentage of users who click on your links.

Follower Growth: Shows the increase or decrease in your social media audience.

Conversion Rate: Evaluates how effectively your social media campaigns drive desired actions, such as purchases or sign-ups.

Best Social Media Analytics Tools

To streamline your analytics, use the following social media analytics tools:

Google Analytics: Helps track social media traffic to your website.

Hootsuite Analytics: Offers detailed performance reports across platforms.

Sprout Social: Provides engagement insights and trend analyses.

Buffer Analyze: Focuses on audience behavior and campaign effectiveness.

Socialbakers: Delivers in-depth competitor benchmarking.

Steps to Create a Data-Driven Social Media Strategy

Set Clear Goals Define your objectives, whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving traffic, or boosting sales. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Choose the Right Metrics Focus on metrics that align with your objectives. For instance, if your goal is brand awareness, prioritize reach and engagement metrics.

Analyze Your Current Performance Use social media analytics tools to evaluate past campaigns. Identify what worked and what didn’t.

Understand Your Audience Use insights from analytics to build detailed audience personas. This ensures your content resonates with your target demographics.

Optimize Content Strategy Create content tailored to your audience’s preferences. Experiment with different formats like videos, stories, and polls to see what performs best.

Monitor and Adjust in Real-Time Continuously track your social media performance metrics and adjust your strategy accordingly. For instance, if engagement on a specific post type drops, try a different approach.

Benchmark Against Competitors Compare your performance with competitors in your niche to identify areas for improvement.

Leveraging Social Media Insights for Growth

To truly harness social media insights for growth, consider these actionable tips:

Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, messages, and reviews promptly.

Utilize Paid Campaigns: Use insights to run targeted ads that reach the right audience.

Experiment Regularly: Test different posting times, hashtags, and content types to identify what works best.

Focus on Visual Content: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok thrive on visually appealing posts.

Why Choose Digital Rhetoric for SMM Services

As a leading provider of SMM services in Pune, Digital Rhetoric uses advanced analytics to help brands refine their strategies. Our team employs cutting-edge social media analytics tools to craft a data-driven social media strategy tailored to your unique needs.

With our expertise, you can:

Boost engagement and follower growth.

Drive traffic and conversions.

Gain actionable insights for long-term success.

Conclusion

Refining your social media strategy with analytics isn’t just a trend — it’s a necessity. By tracking key social media performance metrics and using the right tools, you can craft a data-driven social media strategy that delivers tangible results.

[neturbizenterprises]

Supercharge Your YouTube Channel with VidIQ!

Unlocking YouTube success is within reach with vid IQ, the ultimate analytics and optimization tool designed for creators at any stage. This video dives into how vid IQ can supercharge our channels by enhancing keyword research, competitor analysis, and video performance insights. Whether we’re aspiring YouTubers or established creators, vid IQ offers features that help us optimize titles, descriptions, tags, and even thumbnails to boost engagement. With real-time statistics and trend alerts keeping us informed about what’s hot in our niche, it’s time to leverage these powerful tools for growth!

#VidIQ #YouTubeSuccess

[seashorepics]

Mastering the Art of Creating the Perfect and Popular Image Hack

Introduction:In today’s digital age, visuals are everything. They capture attention, convey messages quickly, and are easily shared. But not all images are created equal. The ones that go viral or become widely popular are often the result of a carefully crafted process known as an image hack. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create the perfect and popular image hack that not only stands out…

[isubhamdas]

How to measure TikTok ad success? How do you measure TikTok ad success? Are you struggling to understand if your TikTok ads are working? In this video, I’ll guide you through the key metrics that matter. You’ll learn how to track performance using views, engagement rates, and conversions. Understanding these metrics can help you make informed decisions. By watching, you’ll gain insights into what works and what doesn’t. This knowledge will help you refine your strategy for better results. I’ll also share tips on how to analyze your data effectively. This way, you can adapt your ads to meet your audience’s needs. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this video is for you. Join me as we break down the steps to evaluate your TikTok advertising efforts. You’ll walk away with practical tools to assess your campaigns and improve your outcomes. Don’t miss out on this chance to enhance your TikTok marketing skills! #TikTokMarketing #AdMetrics #SocialMediaSuccess #MarketingTips #TikTokAds #shorts #SubhamDas Full Video:- https://youtu.be/EtEWFmpY_Hw

[511digital]

Navigating the Performance Max Maze:A Marketer’s Candid Journey

Hey there, fellow digital marketing warriors! Today, I’m going to spill the beans on my six-month adventure with Google’s Performance Max campaigns. Buckle up, because it’s been quite a ride!

1. My First Encounter with Performance Max

I still remember the day Google announced Performance Max. My first thought?

“Great, another AI thing to learn.” But as I dug deeper, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. The promise of AI-driven, cross-channel campaigns sounded amazing, but could I trust an algorithm with my precious ad budget?

2. The Honeymoon Phase: Early Wins

Like any new relationship, Performance Max and I started off strong. Within the first month, I was seeing some impressive results:

My ads were showing up in places I’d never considered before

Conversion rates were climbing

I was spending less time on manual optimizations

I felt like a digital marketing genius. “This is it,” I thought, “The future of advertising!”

3. Reality Check: Challenges and Setbacks

But then, reality hit. And it hit hard.

Remember that saying about things that seem too good to be true? Yeah, that.

The lack of granular control started to bug me. I couldn’t tweak individual placements or bids like I used to. And don’t get me started on the day my conversion tracking went haywire, and Performance Max decided to go on a spending spree. Let’s just say I didn’t sleep much that week.

4. Lessons Learned and Strategies Developed

After a few months of trial and error (emphasis on the error), I started to get the hang of things. Here are some key lessons I learned:

Patience is crucial. The AI needs time to learn and optimize.

Quality input = quality output. The better your assets and goals, the better your results.

Keep a hawk’s eye on performance, especially in the beginning.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different asset combinations.

5. Where I Stand Now: The Verdict

Six months in, where do I stand with Performance Max?

I’d say we’re in a “it’s complicated” relationship status. On one hand, it’s opened up new opportunities and saved me time. On the other, it’s been a challenging learning curve with some heart-stopping moments.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, but with a caveat: Be prepared to learn, adapt, and sometimes grit your teeth.

6. FAQ

Q: Is Performance Max suitable for small businesses?

A: It can be, but start with a small budget and closely monitor performance.

Q: How long does it take to see results?

A: In my experience, it took about 2-3 weeks to start seeing meaningful data.

Q: Can I still use my existing campaigns alongside Performance Max?

A: Absolutely! In fact, I recommend a hybrid approach, especially when starting out.

Q: What’s the biggest advantage of Performance Max?

A: For me, it’s the time saved on manual optimizations and the expanded reach across channels.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge?

 A: The loss of granular control can be frustrating, especially for seasoned PPC managers.

7. Conclusion

Performance Max isn’t perfect, but it’s a powerful tool when used correctly. It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me rethink some of my long-held PPC strategies. As with any new technology, the key is to approach it with an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a healthy dose of caution.

Remember, your mileage may vary. What worked (or didn’t work) for me might be different for you. The most important thing is to stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to share your experiences with fellow marketers. After all, we’re all in this wild, AI-driven ride together!

So, what’s your take on Performance Max?

Have you tried it yet?

I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below. Let’s keep this conversation going!,

[marketxcel]

Brand Tracking Guide: Methods, Benefits, and a Case Study

Discover the essential methods and numerous benefits of brand tracking in our comprehensive guide. Learn how to effectively monitor brand performance and make informed decisions to enhance your brand's success.

[trapangeles]

Demystifying the Instagram Algorithm: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, understanding the algorithms that dictate what content users see is crucial for anyone looking to build a successful presence. With Instagram being one of the most popular platforms for content creators and businesses alike, mastering its algorithm is essential for maximizing visibility and engagement. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of the Instagram algorithm and provide actionable tips for optimizing your content strategy.

Understanding How the Algorithm Works:

First and foremost, it's essential to understand the core principles that underpin the Instagram algorithm. At its core, the algorithm is designed to prioritize content that is likely to resonate with users based on their past behavior and interactions. This means that posts with higher levels of engagement, such as likes, comments, and shares, are more likely to appear prominently in users' feeds.

Key Factors Influencing the Algorithm:

Two primary factors influence the Instagram algorithm: user behavior and post engagement. User behavior encompasses actions such as likes, comments, and shares, while post engagement refers to the interactions a post receives. By analyzing these factors, the algorithm determines the relevance and quality of content, ultimately shaping users' feed experiences.

Optimizing Your Content Strategy:

To leverage the Instagram algorithm effectively, content creators and businesses must optimize their content strategy. Here are some key tips for maximizing visibility and engagement on the platform:

Create Engaging Content: Focus on creating high-quality, visually appealing content that resonates with your target audience. Use compelling visuals, captivating captions, and relevant hashtags to grab users' attention and encourage engagement.

Post Consistently: Consistency is key on Instagram. Develop a posting schedule and stick to it to keep your audience engaged and ensure your content remains visible in users' feeds.

Use Relevant Hashtags: Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing the discoverability of your posts. Research relevant hashtags in your niche and incorporate them strategically into your captions to expand your reach and attract new followers.

Encourage Engagement: Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, liking and sharing user-generated content, and initiating conversations. The more engagement your posts receive, the more likely they are to be prioritized by the algorithm.

Analyze Performance Metrics: Monitor the performance of your posts using Instagram Insights to gain insights into what content resonates most with your audience. Use this data to refine your content strategy and optimize future posts for maximum impact.

By understanding the intricacies of the Instagram algorithm and implementing a strategic approach to content creation, you can enhance your visibility, attract new followers, and drive engagement on the platform. With these insights and tips, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media and build a thriving presence on Instagram.

Have you been spending all your money and time on making music and shooting videos, but still not getting any exposure? Tired of just spinning your wheels? You know to get exposure you need to get featured on blogs, radio stations, playlist, and get your music e-mail blasted out to the masses. Need help getting all that done? Then check out the Package we’ve made available for you below!

Like & Listen To Our Spotify Playlist

trapLAXradio On The Air Now!

The Latest Music, Videos, News, Entertainment……

[flimsy-roost]

I realized the other day that the reason I didn't watch much TV as a teenager (and why I'm only now catching up on late aughts/early teens media that I missed), is because I literally didn't understand how to use our TV. My parents got a new system, and it had three remotes with a Venn diagram of functions. If someone left the TV on an unfamiliar mode, I didn't know how to get back to where I wanted to be, so I just stopped watching TV on my own altogether.

I explained all this to my therapist, because I didn't know if this was more related to my then-unnoticed autism, or to my relationship with my parents at the time (we had issues less/unrelated to neurodivergency). She told me something interesting.

In children's autism assessments, a common test is to give them a straightforward task that they cannot reasonably perform, like opening an overtight jar. The "real" test is to see, when they realize that they cannot do it on their own, if they approach a caregiver for help. Children that do not seek help are more likely to be autistic than those that do.

This aligns with the compulsory independence I've noticed to be common in autistic adults, particularly articulated by those with lower support needs and/or who were evaluated later in life. It just genuinely does not occur to us to ask for help, to the point that we abandon many tasks that we could easily perform with minor assistance. I had assumed it was due to a shared common social trauma (ie bad experiences with asking for help in the past), but the fact that this trait is a childhood test metric hints at something deeper.

My therapist told me that the extremely pathologizing main theory is that this has something to do with theory of mind, that is doesn't occur to us that other people may have skills that we do not. I can't speak for my early childhood self, or for all autistic people, but I don't buy this. Even if I'm aware that someone else has knowledge that I do not (as with my parents understanding of our TV), asking for help still doesn't present itself as an option. Why?

My best guess, using only myself as a model, is due to the static wall of a communication barrier. I struggle a lot to make myself understood, to articulate the thing in my brain well enough that it will appear identically (or at least close enough) in somebody else's brain. I need to be actively aware of myself and my audience. I need to know the correct words, the correct sentence structure, and a close-enough tone, cadence, and body language. I need draft scripts to react to possible responses, because if I get caught too off guard, I may need several minutes to construct an appropriate response. In simple day-to-day interactions, I can get by okay. In a few very specific situations, I can excel. When given the opportunity, I can write more clearly than I am ever capable of speaking.

When I'm in a situation where I need help, I don't have many of my components of communication. I don't always know what my audience knows. I don't have sufficient vocabulary to explain what I need. I don't know what information is relevant to convey, and the order in which I should convey it. I don't often understand the degree of help I need, so I can come across inappropriately urgent or overly relaxed. I have no ability to preplan scripts because I don't even know the basic plot of the situation.

I can stumble though with one or two deficiencies, but if I'm missing too much, me and the potential helper become mutually unintelligible. I have learned the limits of what I can expect from myself, and it is conceptualized as a real and physical barrier. I am not a runner, so running a 5k tomorrow does not present itself as an option to me. In the same way, if I have subconscious knowledge that an interaction is beyond my capability, it does not present itself as an option to me. It's the minimum communication requirements that prevent me from asking for help, not anything to do with the concept of help itself.

Maybe. This is the theory of one person. I'm curious if anyone else vibes with this at all.

[mtbcleadgenbuzz]

Winning Customers: Tactics For Small Business Sales Growth

Winning Customers: Tactics For Small Business Sales Growth Small business owners often face challenges in attracting and retaining customers, especially when competing against larger companies with greater resources. However, effective sales strategies can help these entrepreneurs build relationships with their target audience and achieve sustainable growth over time. In this article, we will…

[lady-raziel]

It's time...we're edging the sleep

Link to the full pdf document HERE (includes links)

What This Is:

A collaborative, grassroots initiative for fans of Markiplier and The Edge of Sleep to promote the newly released TV show on Amazon Prime Video to raise awareness and generate attention that will drive supporters and casual viewers alike to watch the show.

Why This Exists:

Fans of the hit podcast and followers of Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) have been anticipating the TV adaptation for years since it was announced in 2021 and have been waiting to watch the show since then. However, after radio silence since nearly after filming completed, the long-awaited show is now being dropped on Amazon Prime early—before any official promotion starts.

Many fans disagree with the confusing treatment of an adaptation they have been wanting to watch for years, the haphazard amount of pre-release promotion for the show, and the increasingly high benchmarks of instant success placed on creative material, regardless of origin, that challenges the ability of new ideas and stories to thrive and grow.

This collection of suggested guiding materials is intended to serve as a starting point for fans and advocates in taking matters into our own hands and promoting the show we want to succeed, to open doors for future creative projects for all sorts of innovators, and to bring attention to the current challenging creative environment that stifles new projects before they have a chance to shine.

CRITICAL TAKEAWAY (if you read nothing else):

Stream The Edge of Sleep on Amazon Prime Video if you can and TALK ABOUT THE SHOW. Talk about it and anything else covered in this guide as much as you can, because every bit of chatter matters in allowing this project to succeed.

(More info on steps you can take to help under the page break, or check out the full doc linked above for everything!)

Most Important Steps To Take:

Stream The Edge of Sleep on Amazon Prime Video, as well as add it to your watchlist and like the show on the platform to enhance performance metrics.

The full pdf document has information later on detailing how to access Amazon Prime Video as well as information on low-cost pricing and deals for gaining access to Prime Video, and how to use “Watch Party” mode to stream with others.

You can “like” the show even if you don’t have Prime Video and just have a basic Amazon account! Even small metrics like this impact both the front and backend impressions viewed by corporate employees.

Use the hashtags #TheEdgeofSleep and #TheEdgeofSleeponPrime on social media sites where hashtags are applicable in sharing material about the show. Share or make anything you can—memes, art, discussions of the story, pictures, edits, or even just posts saying you’re watching the show. Truly, it all matters and helps!

It’s important to use both tags or at the very least, the second one indicating the streaming platform. It identifies WHAT the show is and WHERE to find it, which is helpful information for those stumbling across The Edge of Sleep for the first time. Additionally, using the name of the platform frequently attracts attention for Prime Video, which can reflect back positively on the show in the eyes of the company if The Edge of Sleep is the source of the discussion.

Although it can be laborious to type out “The Edge of Sleep” every time and thus impulse says to abbreviate in both discussion and hashtags to “TEOS/teos,” this can hinder effectiveness as it is not a recognizable acronym to non-fans and might impact the potential of the full “The Edge of Sleep” title to trend on any social platform.

Share the show with anyone and everyone you think would like it, offline and in person. A personal recommendation will always be more impactful than any ad—everyone is an “influencer” to someone! Also, be sure to rate the show or add it to your watchlist anywhere you can—including on Amazon Prime Video itself through the like function on the show page, as well as on third-party sites like IMDB or TV Guide.

Not sure how to recommend the show to someone? The brief synopsis, “fast facts,” and “pitch” suggestions in the HELPFUL REFERENCE section of the full pdf document might help, along with thoughts of enthusiasm for the show, original podcast, or any of Mark’s other projects mixed in!

Sites like IMDB allow you to rate shows and films for free, even if you haven’t gotten the chance to watch them yet.

Most Important Thing To Remember:

JUST HAVE FUN!!! This is about promoting the show we’ve waited for and want to succeed, opening the door for more projects we want to see, but also just about getting together as a community and making cool stuff!

Again, you can find all this info and more resources in the full Strategy doc linked here. Go forth and sleedge △

[digitalrhetoricpune]

The Technical Side of Influencer Marketing: How to Track ROI with Analytics Tools

Understanding Influencer Marketing ROI

ROI in influencer marketing refers to the revenue or value generated from a campaign compared to its cost. While the upfront cost includes influencer fees, production, and distribution, the value derived often includes brand awareness, website traffic, leads, and conversions.

Here’s why tracking ROI is critical:

Identify Successful Strategies: Determine what works for your brand.

Optimize Budgets: Allocate resources efficiently.

Justify Investments: Prove the value of influencer partnerships.

At Digital Rhetoric, our approach to SMM Services integrates analytics tools that provide actionable insights to achieve these goals.

Analytics Tools for Tracking Influencer Campaign Performance

Google Analytics Google Analytics is essential for monitoring website traffic and conversions. Link influencer content to specific UTM codes to track:

Referral traffic from influencers.

Conversion rates for influencer-driven campaigns.

Audience behavior on landing pages.

Tip: Use Google Analytics to compare the performance of multiple influencers in one campaign.

Social Media Insights Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok offer detailed insights, including:

Impressions and reach.

Engagement metrics like likes, comments, shares, and saves.

Audience demographics.

These metrics are vital for measuring influencer marketing analytics 2024 and assessing content resonance.

Dedicated Influencer Marketing Platforms Tools such as HypeAuditor, Upfluence, and AspireIQ simplify data-driven influencer marketing strategies by offering features like:

Performance tracking dashboards.

ROI calculators for campaigns.

Fraud detection to ensure real engagement.

Metrics to Measure Influencer ROI

Engagement Metrics High engagement rates indicate content relevancy and audience interest. Metrics to track include:

Likes, shares, and comments.

Click-through rates on shared links.

Video views and watch time.

Sales Conversions Direct conversions are the gold standard for ROI measurement. Assign unique discount codes or affiliate links to each influencer for precise tracking.

Brand Awareness While harder to quantify, brand awareness can be measured through:

Increased search engine traffic.

Follower growth on social media.

Survey feedback from new customers.

Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) Compare the campaign cost to the number of new customers acquired. Lower CPA means higher ROI.

How to Use Data for Better Campaigns

Benchmarking Performance Analyze historical campaign data to set realistic benchmarks. Use these benchmarks to predict the potential ROI of future campaigns.

Segmentation for Targeted Reach Group influencers by audience demographics, niche, and engagement quality. This ensures campaigns resonate with your target audience.

A/B Testing Experiment with different content formats, posting times, and calls-to-action to refine strategies. SMM services like ours employ A/B testing to maximize effectiveness.

Real-Time Monitoring Use live dashboards to monitor campaign performance as it happens. Immediate adjustments can be made if certain metrics underperform.

Why Analytics Are the Future of Influencer Marketing

In 2024, the emphasis on influencer marketing analytics is growing due to the rise of AI and machine learning. Predictive analytics tools now help brands forecast campaign outcomes, ensuring smarter investments.

Conclusion

The technical side of influencer marketing lies in leveraging data to drive decisions. With the right analytics tools, tracking ROI becomes a structured, measurable process. By focusing on the metrics that matter, brands can create data-driven influencer marketing strategies to maximize impact and efficiency.

[rottenpumpkin13]

please how does friendsgiving go for asgzc??

• Sephiroth spends three weeks researching "typical family Thanksgiving dynamics". His primary conclusion: family gatherings are less about gratitude and more about emotional warfare. He decides he will replicate this to get the most authentic experience possible.

• Angeal assigns everyone designated dishes through a groupchat he forcibly created titled "ain't nobody help last year"

• Texts sent to the group include "Genesis, you're on pie duty, and I swear to Gaia if you bring apple pie instead of pumpkin pie ,I'll personally escort you back to the goddess with a wooden spoon inserted in an unkind place."

• Sephiroth walks through the door and immediately starts asking everyone who they voted for in the last election.

• Cloud is assigned potatoes. He brings yams. Angeal is confused. Cloud is confused. Angeal just pats him on the head and tells him to go sit down.

• Zack is banned from bringing anything requiring actual cooking after the time he tried to "speed up" the cooking process with fire materia and singed off Angeal's eyebrows. He's now only allowed to bring drinks and plastic utensils. Still manages to bring paper plates that dissolve on contact with hot food.

• Sephiroth sees Zack and Cloud having a friendly talk and decides to bring up Aerith and his opinions on who's a better suitor for her.

• Angeal starts stress drinking in the kitchen as soon as Genesis walks through the door with an apple pie and his sword to defend himself.

• Zack gets effectively banned from the kitchen because he keeps picking at the food and eating it. Angeal tried the wooden spoon as a method of discipline, but the spoon had gravy on it so Zack kept trying to lick it.

• Sephiroth hones in on Zack as he's leaving the kitchen.

Sephiroth: So how are your career aspirations progressing relative to statistically average performance metrics for individuals of your demographic? *Zack starts crying*

• Cloud brought Banora White apples instead of the bread rolls he was assigned. When asked about this, he says Genesis told him bread rolls were "cancelled" and he had to bring apples instead. Angeal has the type of breakdown where he's on the kitchen floor, laughing with a wine glass in hand while having a conversation with the turkey in the oven.

• Angeal posts an aesthetic picture on his social media with the whole group smiling. He captions it "Grateful for friends ❤️" but the reality is that he yelled at them two minutes before the photo was taken because no one remembered to bring drinks.

• Three different music playlists compete for dominance: Genesis' orchestral versions of Loveless: the musical, Zack's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" on repeat, and Sephiroth's documentary podcast about the history of cutlery.

• There's a photo of Sephiroth on Zack's camera roll where he's dissociating while eating a turkey leg ???

• Cloud and Zack have a fallout because the way mac n' cheese is made in Gongaga vs. Nibelheim is a serious cultural divide.

Zack: In Gongaga, we add tomato sauce! Cloud: In Nibelheim, we add breadcrumbs! Sephiroth: Mac n' cheese is not native to either regions. *unintelligible yelling from Zack and Cloud*

• Genesis is asked to lead the group in prayer before the meal.

Genesis: Our goddess who resides within the Lifestream, when the war of the beasts brings about the world's end— Zack: NO.

• They all go around saying what they're thankful for.

Zack: I'm thankful for my best friend Cloud!

Cloud: I'm thankful for the opportunity to be here with you guys.

Genesis: I'm thankful for poetry.

Angeal: I'm thankful for patience and wine.

Sephiroth: I'm thankful that statistically speaking, all of us have unresolved childhood traumas that directly stem from our inability to process emotions, form healthy attachments, and keep secrets. For example, Genesis broke Angeal's favorite mug.

Genesis: YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T TELL!

Angeal: THE GREEN MUG?

Zack: WTF YOU TOLD ME THE YELLOW MUG I GAVE YOU FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY WAS YOUR FAVORITE!

Cloud: YOU GAVE ANGEAL A MUG BUT GOT ME A KEYCHAIN?

*they all start yelling at each other*

Sephiroth: Thanksgiving feels authentic now.

[clandestinegardenias]

I just taught a sociology class on masculinities this past semester and I had my students do a media analysis of masculine representation in a movie or show of their choosing and—

Now I’m constantly thinking about The Terror.

And of course there’s SO MUCH THERE, I could do a fucking thesis, probably, but

I’m so interested in James Fitzjames and his relationship to masculinity, particularly as a performance. He’s so incredibly image-conscious, and has HAD to be in order to hide the realities of his birth. He buys into the social norms and goals of his time, HARD. He also has, as is slowly revealed in the show, a variety of more feminine longings and traits that are probably part and parcel of his insecurities.

So he adopts this sort of…overperformed masculinity, but a very specific upper-socioeconomic British Navy type. It also makes him very bragadocious (the China story) in an attempt to cover over those insecurities, and I think this is part of why Francis dislikes him at first.

Because Francis also has a variety of reasons to be insecure in his masculinity, potentially, as an Irish man. He’s denied the upper eschelons of male privilege (marrying Sophia, having command of an expedition) despite performing well on all expected metrics.

Yet he takes a very different approach from James. Once he realizes he’ll never be allowed to meet the hegemonic ideal, he kind of just…stops trying. He rejects the performance, the ideal, all of it (and also is uhhh super depressed and reliant on alcohol). And I think he sneers at James because James is doggedly doing the very performance Francis is fed up with.

Then. Later. He learns how much of it WAS a performance to cover up for those self same “failings” of being an outsider that plagued Francis himself. And that bonds them. Besides the fact that Francis APPRECIATES femininity, respects it, in a way that a lot of the other men don’t (see his relationships with both Sophia and Silna) and probably appreciates whatever feminine aspects of himself James chooses to reveal.

But BACK TO JAMES, I gotta talk about the dress scene.

It hurts so much. Because James BUYS INTO Carnivale, and it allows him to express his more feminine creative side in a way that is socially acceptable—it’s for the morale of the men, and maybe finally James’ true self can be a BOON to his role as leader instead of a drawback. He has the opportunity to combine those masculine and feminine parts of himself and have that combination be CELEBRATED and lauded as good leadership.

And then. The blood at his hairline. And reality comes crashing back down. And he doesn’t wear the dress.

Anyway, this is just some preliminary ramblings. Obviously a lot more going on here, esp re: intersectionality and race and class.

[qqueenofhades]

Hey! I just found your blog and followed yesterday. Came for the fact that you're the only other person in this webbed site actually say out loud that they liked Biden, stayed for the hope and determination and perspective. Anyway just wanted to introduce myself and I hope you're coping well!

Hello and welcome to you and the other sudden flood of followers that I got after yesterday's event. I'm glad to have you and hope you are all in on the project of Kicking Fascism In The Shriveled Testicles 2024, American Edition. It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it.

Biden was not my first choice (far from it) in the 2020 primary process, but when it became clear that he was going to win the nomination, I supported him early and often. Trust me, this was not a popular position, and it remains so, but so be it. By any reasonable metric, he is the most progressive president we have ever had, it is a crying shame that the media is so beholden to the Trump Teat of Drama that they gave him such a kid-gloved free pass and ratfucked Biden instead, and it makes me worry, a lot, for American democracy. I have always gotten a lot of "you support everything Biden has done so you're awful and going to hell!!!" messages, because this sure is a Webbed Site Where We Piss On the Poor, and like -- I don't. I had major disagreements with Biden, especially on foreign policy! But because I apparently did not performatively self-flagellate myself in every post about how awful he was but maybe I guess vote for him anyway, that got some people very mad! It's also true that there's literally nobody in the world anywhere, especially and including in Palestine, that would benefit from Trump becoming president again! Especially since Biden at the NATO summit recently and explicitly endorsed progress on the ceasefire framework he has been pushing for several months! So unfortunately, we live in a society where shitty choices are necessary, and that is part of being a grownup!

....anyway. Deep breaths. Rant for later. Glad you're here. I have been desperately trying to Not Politic for a bit, since doing so on social media in the year of our lord 2024 is a recipe for swift insanity, but the world keeps taking a large dump directly on those plans, and I guess someone's gotta do it. In more normal times (OH LORD WHEN), you can expect history (I am an academic by trade), random posts, various asks, and sometimes a great deal of fanfic for assorted blorbos, though the Horrors have done a number on that and I am also working on an original fantasy trilogy at the moment. (Still deciding whether I should bother trying to agent it or just publish it on Amazon/Lulu/etc.) I have turned off anon for the moment because otherwise my inbox would be a nightmare beyond comprehension, but I do generally enjoy talking about things and/or answering them as much as I can. I am old, queer, tired, fueled by coffee and spite, have been politically conscious since the first Bush Jr. term and have therefore seen all the Anti Voting nonsense before (quick thought: if it was going to deliver the perfect Leftist Messiah and/or stop a flawed candidate from becoming president, don't you think it would have done so by now?) So yes. Welcome again and I hope you will enjoy (if that is the right word for it) your stay.

[isubhamdas]

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