Kinda spooked by social media
Kinda spooked by social media
I grew up in a time before social media existed. That feels a bit weird to say because it means I'm not old enough to say things like that.
Facebook shows me the "On this day" memories all the time, and I'm forever cringed out by seeing what I used to post. I used to treat Facebook like 2010 Twitter.
I went through a couple of different life changes as I got older (I'll be ready to talk about this someday), and I always thought there were people out there just waiting for the chance to pile on and rip me apart. I always thought there was a group of people out there who hated me, specifically. And would jump at the chance to rip me online.
I never share what I'm working on because I'm afraid there will always be someone right around the corner waiting to rip me apart.
Honestly, this really makes zero sense.
If these people hated me so much, they wouldn't be waiting for me to post online before attacking... they'd just do it on their own, every day.
And it never happened.
I had this preconceived notion that people just hated me for seemingly no good reason, and I can see that I have let it hold me back for the last decade (at least).
I've let myself think this for the last 10+ years, and it's ripped my self-esteem apart so much that I feel like a burden when someone compliments me.
If I don't correct this course... If I don't change this behavior, it's only going to pick up steam. And, I swear to God, if I reach 40 and still have problems with self-confidence.
I need to change. Now.
Digital marketing and social media
I've been part of the digital marketing and social media landscape for a while now (since about 2011). I have always been doing some type of project, but I never actually built anything of my own. And I've realized I missed out on so much time and money because of it.
Even something as simple as publishing blog posts consistently. I'm paranoid beyond belief that everything needs to be perfect before publishing. And it prevents me from ever being proud of the things I've done (or the things I'm working on).
Digital marketing and social media move so fast. Everything about it.
There's so much I know about this space, but I keep convincing myself that all of this stuff is just common knowledge. I'm in it every. single. day. So, to me, it does feel like common knowledge. (Makes me feel like I'm just annoying people every time I publish something lol.)
I don't know everything—no one does. But I know enough to put together a plan to help almost any business out there generate revenue. It's never going to be perfect, but a profitable digital marketing campaign will always beat out a nonexistent one.
Social media is great. I know how to make money using it. I just get in my own way and never let myself gain enough momentum.
Social media can launch you into the stars
To most, social media is a way for your friends to keep up with you and see what you've been up to lately. And to others, social media has launched them into the stars.
These people crush it with social media and it shows in their bank account. You don't have to be anything other than you to crush it either. All you have to do is show up consistently, and you'll build your audience of people who trust you.
An audience of people who trust you is an asset.
I know and believe this in my bones. But I'm never going to get to that point unless I start and then keep going.
I don't mind having to email strangers out of the blue, but it would be nice to flip the script. I mean, it'd be a lot less stressful if my audience was seeking me out instead of me hunting them down. But that's never going to happen unless I start building and keep at it.
Social media for business
Social media is only "bad" if you let it get out of control. Social media can also be very good for both your personal and professional life.
But for social media to be used as a tool for your business, you have to become a creator. You can't continue to lurk in the weeds and drop a like now and again. You have to be the reason someone starts thinking out of the box. You have to be the one creating. You have to be the one adding to someone else's life.
When you do that, people will start to approach YOU. They'll come to you wanting to learn more about you, your business, and what you've got going on. Social media is a great way to grow your business, and you don't even have to run any paid ads to do it.
You just need to create.
All of this is being written as if I were giving my own advice to myself. I know what I need to do to be successful with social media; I just haven't done it. I've tried and failed over and over again, but it's my own fault. I let it happen. I let myself fall off the wagon.
I believe we are building something big here. I believe in my bones we have something that can take the entire B2B world by storm. I just need to get out there and let people know we exist. ?? ...using social media.
Social media isn't all bad
You just need to take control of it. You don't have to be connected with someone online just because you know who they are. If they're loading up your feed with their dirty laundry, you should probably mute or unfollow. And, in some cases, disconnect/unfriend them altogether.
Take control of your social media. (And try to stay out of the comments section of your local news station's Facebook posts!)
Social media is a villain in the eyes of a lot of people, but it doesn't have to be. You are responsible for what social circles you end up in. And pruning your social media connections every once in a while is good for your mental health too! ??