Interacting with Readers of Adversity University
Driving along the other day, an idea popped into my head to do something I've never done before. It's been a little over a year since I've started this blog. In the beginning, I had the comment feature enabled but then shut it down, taking the advice of other bloggers out there. But I'm just beginning to realize how important it is to actually interact with my readers at Adversity University because it is you who keep this blog alive.
I write for your benefit.
Therefore, I've not only reopened the comment feature (see the end of each post for the comment link) but I've also made it easy for you to contact me via email (see link at right sidebar).
Having said this, I want to take this one step further and conduct a short survey to learn more about the Adversity University subscriber community. One of the things I've been contemplating is moving this to a different program like Wordpress or Typepad, which will give me a lot more flexibility in terms of providing categories (so that people can find articles without having to randomly search the blog for something that was read months ago but not bookmarked), expand my ability to write on different topics and not be limited to overcoming adversity, etc.
My vision is to expand to the point where not only will I have the capability of creating categories, but I'll also have 3 columns (versus 2) with more materials for the reader's benefit. But before taking upon the herculean task of migrating to another platform and starting all over again, I need to know more about who you are, why you subscribed to AU and what you like/dislike about this blog.
Here goes:
1. How did you know about Adversity University?
2. What attracted you to Adversity University in the first place?
3. What part of the world are you from?
4. If you found AU through a search engine like Google, what search term(s) did you use? What were you looking for?
5. What inspired you to sign up as a subscriber to AU?
6. What do you like about this blog? What would you like to see changed/enhanced?
7. What would it take for you to tell someone else about this blog?
8. Do you have your own blog too?
9. If I were to migrate to another blogging platform, would you come with me?
10. Do you have any suggestions, thoughts, comments or ideas on how I can better serve you?
11. When you first heard of "Adversity University," what were your initial thoughts about those words? Did you think it was a play on words or did you think it was an actual university? Did you think it was a personal development site full of inspiring material or did you think it was about negative stuff (due to the word "adversity")?
12. When you first learned of this blog, were you experiencing adversity at the time?
13. If I were to create an "Adversity University" conference with speakers, breakout sessions, networking sessions, would you be interested in coming (i.e. say to Cleveland, OH)??
I am really, really looking forward to learning more about you! Remember, you can respond via the comments feature (see below) or via private email (see link at right sidebar).
Thanks so much for your time - can't wait to hear from you!
posted by Stephen J. Hopson at 6:44 AM
7 Comments:
Stephen,
Since this is "Adversity University", shall I raise my hand and answer your questions? Will you say, "That's right, Nita!"?
Nita:
I smiled and giggled when you aske if I will say, "That's Right, Nita!" Very cute. You are obviously familiar with my famous fifth grade teacher story ("Three Words").
But of course Nita! I am looking forward to answering your questions!
Stephen
p.s. I love playing the role of "teacher"!! When I was a very small child, I used to play schoolteacher in my room, imagining myself speaking to students, answering their questions. Isn't it amazing I'm sort of doing that through the fictitious "Adversity University"??
P.S. Will you bring me an apple today?
Amazing how things come to life years later, isn't it?
Look forward to your response(s)!
Stephen
1. How did you know about Adversity University?
I met Stephen few months ago at a deaf/hoh conference in DC. He gave a workshop on overcoming adversity. He gave everyone a flyer about himself and his achievements. I saw the blog site address so I decided to visit it.
2. What attracted you to Adversity University?
I found the name quite witty; it sounded like a “pun”. Stephen surely knows how to write articles, turning simple events into something interesting and extraordinary!
4. What inspired you to sign up as a subscriber to AU?
I thought by subscribing to it meant I would get some information, not just update to the new posts. Now, I find it quite slow and merely turn to manually checking it daily!
5. What do you like about this blog? Dislike?
I like the exterior design of the blog, as well as your website. Dislike? Umm... you could be more creative with the colors! :)
6. What would it take for you to tell someone else about this blog?
I always talk about it during my conversations with my friends, if the issue does come up.
7. Do you have your own blog too?
Yes. It is: www.nita-moments.blogspot.com. It is all about my moments of experiences in my lifetime, whether it be hilarious, embarrassing, etc.
8. If I were to migrate to another blogging platform, would you come with me?
OFC, Stephen! :)
9. Do you have any suggestions, thoughts, comments or ideas on how I can better serve you?
As per our early e-mails, adding subtitles to your videos/youtube videos would be nice and helpful!
10. When you first heard of "Adversity University," what were your initial thoughts about those words? Did you think it was a play on words or did you think it was an actual university? Did you think it was a personal development site full of inspiring material or did you think it was about negative stuff (due to the word "adversity")?
I never thought of it as negative. I already knew it was not an actual university; I felt it was a creative way to put it, with the hardships that we all experience.
11. When you first learned of this blog, were you experiencing adversity at the time?
I always experience adversities in my whole life! :) I just don’t complain or whine about it. What is more difficult is staying POSITIVE! If any bad or bitter thoughts enter my mind, I immediately throw ‘em out. Because if you carelessly indulge in those thoughts, then eventually it will change your behavior to negative.
12. If I were to create an "Adversity University" conference with speakers, breakout sessions, networking sessions, would you be interested in coming (i.e. say to Cleveland, OH)??
I don’t know if I would go. It’s too far. But it certainly would be interesting to see your speeches, that is if you would be willing to SIGN! :)
Nita:
Thank you for being among the first to respond to my survey.
FYI, Feedblitz, my email syndication system sends notifications only once a day, usually around midnight. I'm glad you're eager to see my posts to the point where you can't wait for Feedblitz to tell you of a new article!
Thank you for all your other answers. It was VERY HELPFUL.
Stephen
1. How did you know about Adversity University?
Stephen sent me a link and I was touched immediately. I am very much a part of using my life in the same way to help others.
2. What attracted you to Adversity University?
My time had come in life to meet Stephen and I wanted to be a part of his wonderful journey.
4. What inspired you to sign up as a subscriber to AU?
My invitation to join and following up on my beautiful friend and how he was doing in blog world. I am interested in the spiritual and turned off by the ego.
5. What do you like about this blog? Dislike?
I like mostly everything about it, but colors would certainly bring more creative energy. Think of your blog as an aura.
6. What would it take for you to tell someone else about this blog?
It would take an opportunity to have more contacts and the platform to talk about the "fat to hatford."
7. Do you have your own blog too?
No, but I just started a web page: http://godofloflovenotofhate.googlepages.com/godoflove
8. If I were to migrate to another blogging platform, would you come with me?
Would you leave me in Akron? Of course, wherever you go, I am there.
9. Do you have any suggestions, thoughts, comments or ideas on how I can better serve you?
Write with no expectations and total intention of serving higher power.
10. When you first heard of "Adversity University," what were your initial thoughts about those words? Did you think it was a play on words or did you think it was an actual university? Did you think it was a personal development site full of inspiring material or did you think it was about negative stuff (due to the word "adversity")?
It was a creative way to put into the universe what it really means to do something about making the best lemonade. Especially if we don't like lemons.
11. When you first learned of this blog, were you experiencing adversity at the time?
I have moments of uncertainty from time to time, like most people, but I know from experience and my own spiritual journey that I can only change me, now, today...with God's help.
12. If I were to create an "Adversity University" conference with speakers, breakout sessions, networking sessions, would you be interested in coming (i.e. say to Cleveland, OH)??
I would come and sing for you, if you would like(Impossible Dream).
Eyes of Love (Joni):
Thank you for taking the time to respond! It is much appreciated. When I do move to another platform (looking more and more likely), I will consider your idea of adding more color. Thanks!
Stephen
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