Social Media: I am NOT on Facebook

NOT ME! Someone with the name Krystanto.y.Juanda.9 is pretending to be me on FB.

It was only a matter of time before one of those weird Scammers used MY IMAGE to try and get people’s online banking info. It’s happening to radio hosts all over the place and it finally came to my attention a few weeks ago. I’ve been busy dealing with my personal health issues and learning how to walk all over again so it’s honestly bullshit to also have to field messages about this garbage.

I had a facebook page a long time ago. I deleted it when Meta stopped taking Verification/Fake Account complaints from my friends and others in the broadcasting industry seriously. I knew it would happen to me and seeing that FB does nothing to stop scammers from scamming, I thought deleting my account would help me avoid being used as a lure for vulnerable persons online.

This Facebook user, “Krystanto.Juanda.9”, is pretending to be me online.

The headshot, which was originally taken back in 2013 for 106.9 The Bear, was purchased from the photographer BY ME. I have the receipts. I own this image. I have reported this to Facebook as a copyright issue, a personal property infringement issue, an impersonation issue, a scammer issue; anything that fit under the umbrella of offence… and this is Facebook’s response to MY flags and the reports of my family, friends and listeners of my current radio station (who’s digital properties have also been stolen/are still being used in an unauthorized way):

Facebook’s response to my reporting…

I have blocked this account and do my best to let people know that THE ONLY ACCOUNT I HAVE ON FACEBOOK is the one belonging to CHEZ 106… yet I still receive messages from people who are very angry about this; who think I’ve done nothing to try and stop this scammer…

I feel very sad that good people might become victims to online scams and encourage everyone to practice good judgement when using social media/the internet. I would never, ever ask you for banking information or for any personally identifying info - EVER. Us radio hosts don’t even handle the delivery of prizing, so I would never need anything beyond your NAME and maybe e-mail address to tell you if you’ve won something from me. Everything else is handled by our promotions department through Rogers Sports and Media.

If you are talking with someone online who say they are Amy Volume and you are not sure, please contact me by leaving a comment on my blog (this one or any other at AmyVolume.com), contacting me through this website (click the e-mail image at the bottom of any page on AmyVolume.com) or through the Contact Us page at CHEZ106.com

REMINDER: @amyvolume is on Twitter and Instagram ONLY. All other accounts claiming to be Amy Volume are unauthorized and operating without my consent.

Summer's End

Fresh off of updating my Moto Camping blog post, I thought I’d write a little something else. A general update for those who follow me.

Had a positive appointment with my quasi-new (to me) rheumatologist. She is wonderful. My disease is still under control thanks to the drugs (almost 22 years on them, totaling approx. 2.2k injections and counting) and my x-rays indicate that my total hip replacement should take away my pain. She encouraged me to call both of my surgeons (foot one at Civic campus, hip one at General) to ask where I am in the surgical cue and to also ask about getting steroid injections to help keep the pain manageable until corrective surgery happens.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get through to the foot surgeon. That’s okay, my hip is the bigger issue. I was able to reach his office. That’s when I was informed that I am not in the surgical cue after-all. Some paperwork was needed and never issued due to the hospital’s on-again-off-again lockdown orders. The surgeon had issued me a standing order which exists in my online chart. They have ordered updated x-rays in prep for the surgery back in January. I strongly believed that I was in the cue and was hoping for a replacement this winter… Alas, Module O at the Ottawa Hospital did not push the papers needed to actually book me the procedure. I will be speaking with my surgeon in early September. I’m very hopeful that we can get this sorted. The time has come and though I am scared, I know that my quality life will drastically improve post-op.

These last two weeks have been particularly hard. I generally keep a positive attitude as I have been disabled my whole life. I am very used to pain, fatigue and the sometimes isolating thoughts that come with being chronically ill. To combat the mental lows, I’ve been forcing myself to do fun stuff with friends. That has been keeping me in a positive headspace, for sure. I’ve been super social and having a great time there, no problem. A side effect of that, however, is that it’s left me pretty drained physically so I am laying low this week.

Work is going well. I do find the stairs difficult to use but as long as I take my time, they remain manageable. I love my job and appreciate the ability to work from home when I need to. Haven’t faced too much negative feedback or ‘trolling’ lately but maybe I’m just getting better at ignoring it? There are difficult days where I like to just keep it basic: play music & talk briefly about light stuff in between said music. I am noticing a lot of nasty stuff on social media directed at other public figures/those working in media (radio, tv, digital) and I struggle with trying to find a purpose for that hate filled vitriol.

Is it to be edgy? Is it for likes? Is it for online clout? Does shaming someone for doing their job make others feel better about their life? Do they know they don’t have to listen/read/consume what the object of their hate is saying/writing/producing?

I just don’t get it. I guess the point is to maybe create division so we have a big ‘us against them’ moment but what’s the goal there? It’s tiresome going down that rabbit hole and those are just some of the thoughts I’ve had based on the more coherent things I’ve seen. Then there are the messages that make zero sense which act more as a flare, drawing attention to a severe mental health situation. Overall in my world, I’d say the vibe has been fairly positive.

My cottage rental season is winding down as we inch toward winter. Typically, we shut the cabin down mid-to-late October but with the new water system we had installed this year we may get more time in before the freeze. At the mercy of Mother Nature with that one, but some of my favourite moments there happen during the ‘off season’. Another great year hosting friends and family. Looking forward to doing it again in 2023. Due to some pretty big expenses (exterminator, well/pump replacement, new chimney, new BBQ, may need a new fridge) I am hoping to get more pop-up guests later into this season/early in the next if the weather permits. Cottage ownership is as expensive as it is wonderful.

I never find enough time to write. I mean, I should be exercising right now but after only 13 minutes I had to stop. This week it’s about listening to my body. Who knows what next week will bring?

Avoiding Negativity for 12 Days: a reasonable goal?

Things are opening back up.

Restrictions are easing.

Vaccines are more accessible. Pills are coming.

The canal is open.

Thinking about some of the negative things I’ve experienced lately and/or been witness to has me shifting focus. Focusing on things that aren’t negative (they don’t have to be overtly positive, just not nasty) is going to be my goal for the rest of the month. Sure, it’s only twelve days… but trying to stay away from the negative for any length can be a difficult task.

Does doing so manifest ‘good’?

I don’t know. I’m not so sure. I think a situation is what you make it or, at least, how you react to it. I’ve been slowly piecing together a ‘community’ of disabled women to follow on Instagram, which has been so wonderful. People who share my experiences as a young person living with rheumatoid arthtirits.

Work is going pretty good, too. I was happy to get back into the studio now that the kids are back to ‘in person learning’. This will be a blip in the timeline of our lives as we get older, I hope. Working from home is a privilige but it’s exciting to be able to fully perform in a way only a host can from the control room.

One of my original videos has received nearly 1.5 million views. I made the mistake of checking that out (I’ve never had such online ‘success’) and some of the comments were… well, you know! So, yeah…. back to my original point:

It’s going to be tough to stay away from the negative for the next twelve days but it’s worth a shot.

What does ‘staying away’ mean? Here’s my guideline that I am completely making up as I go:

• No reading the comments when I am not physically at work.

• No searching for or through old social media posts.

• Avoid or ignore inflammatory situations (online and IRL).

• Get outside.

• Have more conversations with friends.

• Plan for something exciting.

I’m not going to try and be positive or sunny or bright because life just isn’t like that. I’m going to try and avoid the negative, which is doable.

Under the Influence

Social media influencers are generally popular or trusted online profiles of people who’s taste you share or trust.

Their job is to essentially be a living, breathing advertisement. Since traditional methods of advertising (cable TV, radio, print media) are competing with the online world, companies vying for your business are paying for the oldest method of advertising in the book: word of mouth.

Now, I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in a town of 600 people in rural Ontario but to this day, I always trust the ‘word of mouth’ method. It works both ways… if my buddy tells me they got bad service somewhere; I’ll spend my money elsewhere. If my buddy tells me they got great service somewhere; I’m gonna check it out & likely, even before checking it out, I’m gonna pass that ‘good service’ rumour on.

The thing that bothers me about online influencing is that, in my opinion, these profiles turn real people like you and me into actors expected to play a role. They are PAID to paint a product, service or brand in a positive light. For example, if Company X gives me $1,000.00 to “share my opinion” on their thing, it better be a favourable opinion. Right? That’s the rub.

There are some questionable methods about how influencers are recruited, too. Have a lot of followers? You’ll need to to get the job. However, a popular method of gaining loads of followers is to pay for them or enlist the use of bots (not real people or cloned profiles) to make it seem like you have legions of fans watching, sharing and consuming your content. This is why hired ‘Word of Mouth’ social influencers, by law, must express that they were paid for their opinion.

Lots of people in my line of work are hired as influencers and it’s not an inherently bad thing. It’s a smart way to market a product and it’s the future of advertising. How does it make you, the consumer, feel about that person? What if you try the product and had a bad experience? Who loses: you, the profile of the hired influencer but not the company who’s product YOU bought or service YOU tried because someone you' trusted told you to.

That’s the issue I am struggling with in terms of being an influencer. I don’t have to worry about it too much though as I don’t have a zillion followers. No one’s knocking at my door to shill their ‘things’. To be honest, I have more than enough people paying attention to my social profiles and this very blog (hi!)! I’m always surprised that that many of you are interested in what I have to say. Flattered, for sure, but surprised all the same. Everyone who follows me is a real person or represents an account or brand (mostly local); someone who is genuinely interested in what I have to say. I have never paid for followers. I have never participated in a ‘follow for follow’ situation. I don’t want fake followers and I don’t ever want to post something persuasive that I don’t genuinely believe in or stand behind.

The internet is not real life. I’ve been lucky enough to be granted opportunities to work with and learn from online marketing agencies and to have been shown the ins and outs of what it takes to be a Social Media Influencer (and the money to be made is pretty wild). I have only ever personally promoted things that I have typically paid for, feel strongly about sharing or positive experiences I’ve had with companies X, Y and Z that align with my interests.

I’m curious to hear about your experiences with Social Media Influencers. Here’s some feedback I’ve received through Instagram when I asked “What has your experience been with Online Influencers? Good, bad or neutral"?”

“Irritating. Fake. Buying followers and using filters.” - Kim, describing a potential consumer’s perspective.

“Good for a small burst of sales… but it doesn’t necessarily create repeat sales or long time customers… a lot of online “influencers” are ridiculous and it can be hard to choose who to work with. But if you can choose someone who authentically lines up with your brand and has the type of followers you want, then it’s worth a try for some sales.” - Caree, with a potential marketing perspective.

Leave a comment below if you have something to say on the topic of being ‘Under the Influence’.

Going Private on Social Media

A week or so ago I decided I’d hit the Social Media Wall. Y’know - where the quality of interactions is on the wane and you spend more time figuring out how to make your accounts so that A: people can’t find you, or B: only a select few can actually message or interact with your profile?

Yeah.

That’s where I was at.

The news is heavy - the year has been grading (at best) - and I was just finding it hard to see the forest through the trees. Especially in terms of online content consumption and investment.

In my line of work, you have to be Open and Willing to Connect with everyone, all the time. That hasn’t changed. Everyone can connect with me, or attempt to, via this Website and on Twitter.

Facebook was the first to go. Yes, I still have a Page which I use from time to time. Generally to spread awareness about something I’m passionate about. I try to keep my Page fairly empty because, in my experience, Facebook is a magnet for negative interactions which I’m no longer interested in tolerating.

Instagram is private for the time being. Maybe I’ll open it up again but maybe not. I think there’s a real crunch to Have the Most Likes and Be the Most Followed and it starts to spiral into obligations and/or heightened expectations from strangers to spread positivity or ‘influence’ others into thinking some type of way. I like to tell the truth and a lot of the time, Social Media expectations don’t really reflect that.

The observations I’ve made in ‘going private’ have been this:

• more meaningful conversations or interactions with real people and friends

• less spam, bots and targeted ads

• seeing more things on my timeline that make me happy or feel engaged

That’s what I want at this time. Take control of your social media profiles and use it in a way that works for you.