ReachingSelf

Starting a Conversation in a Big City

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December 31, 2017 1:03AM

As I’m writing this, I am in New York City, away from the heart of sunny Florida – Orlando, where I reside.

The Big Apple. The City that Never Sleeps.

Starting a Conversation in a Big City

And here I am. It’s 1 AM on New Year’s Eve (although I’ll be publishing this much later in the year). I’m looking out on this cold, snowy night in the Upper East Side of town.

It’s technically Sunday, and I’ve been here since Wednesday night.

I’m here with my good friend who invited me here on a whim for New Year’s Eve.

What I wanted to do when deciding to come here was to go around asking?—interviewing?—surveying? people on the start of a self-development journey and the foundation of personal growth.

I already have my thoughts on this (which I will share later), but I want to gather others’ thoughts and opinions first.

NYC would be a good place to start off my blog and its first (mini) series. It’s the most populated city in America. I could talk to and interview so many people here.

I thought of being here and taking advantage to talk to many different people in this transient busy city with people from all walks of life.

So I thought…

I haven’t.

For the past days, we’ve pretty much been sleeping in (it’s so easy to when it’s so cold out!) then walking somewhere nearby to eat then going back to get ready to go out and experience the nightlife.

I want to talk about my blog and get people to be a part of it, but since most of the time here the social activities have involved drinking maybe it’s not the right time. I keep making that excuse though, and I don’t want to.

It’s also way too cold here! You really don’t want to be outside too much chatting to a stranger. You just want to get to where you’re going, which usually has loud music, alcohol or people just wanting to eat or shop or look at art. Maybe I’m just making excuses here, but it’s true! It’s not easy in a cold, unfamiliar city.

The thing is, that, I’m not sure how I want to gather my research by talking to people…

Maybe face to face video interview? And possibly make a BuzzFeed style of video.

Skype interview for those who aren’t close to me? I have quite a few long-distance friendships.

Maybe audio record the interview? It could be more natural that way.

Maybe in the written form? I could email the questions and receive written answers back.

Maybe it’s better to start off with my family and people I’m familiar with. Am I staying in my comfort zone? Maybe. But it’s baby steps, and that’s what matters. I’m starting off and learning along the way. I know I’ll figure it out and get better at this.

I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t even spoken to my travel companion about my blog! Although that’s the main topic that’s been on my mind during this trip. She’s sleeping next to me as I’m writing this.

I’ve decided, at this very moment, that I’m just going to start talking about my blog. If someone seems interested enough, I’m going to gather their contact information and reach out to them for the interview. Either that, or if it’s the right atmosphere, which it never is, and they’re willing to share and feeling talkative, I’m going to just audio record the conversation, with their permission of course.

Since I’m not sure how I want to gather the information and interview (audio, video or written) for research, I’m going to try all three (depending what each individual prefers) and find out which method(s) work best for my blog and what my audience and readers prefer.

So for now, I will be mostly just talking to anyone and setting appointments.

Once I arrive home, aside from my close family and friends, I will be using social media to gather participants.

I’m thinking of using the following outlets (most of them personal):

• Facebook
• Snapchat
• Tinder
• Bumble
• Instagram
• Reddit? (reaching out to complete faceless strangers seems a bit scary)
• Twitter? (as of now, I only have two followers for this blog account)
• SurveyMonkey Panelists
• Quora

How I’ll pitch the survey/interview?

I’ll figure it out.

Let’s see how it goes!

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~ Reach. Achieve. Succeed. ~

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