Love this perspective Auste. Yeah that meme hits for a reason! As long as you’re clear on what you want to get from creating content for any space whether that’s pure enjoyment, connecting with new people, building deeper connections etc etc and it’s working then amazing. I just see more and more businesses operating from a space of “we NEED to be on every channel or we’ll die” and that’s just not the case. Would love to chat about your thoughts on TikTok soon 😁
We’ve been conditioned to believe that, to be successful, you have to be on social media. And when you’re there, all you see are people who seem successful because of social media. But it’s just an echo chamber.
There are plenty of successful artists, musicians, creators, and writers who thrive without social media—you just don’t hear about them on social media.
We discovered art, listened to new music, and read life-changing books long before social media existed. Those ways of connecting are still available to us.
I finally deleted the last of my social media accounts (Facebook) a bit ago, because it was still tied to a clients Page or whatever, but 100% off socials, and my newsletter is thriving. Obviously the subject matter has a bit to do with that, plus the sorts of folks who’ve ended up here on Substack, but yeah… zero social media promo and my work is moving in a positive direction, for sure.
This is a great post, totally bookmarking to share. I took my art and business off of social media in January and haven’t gone back. Building a newsletter list, cultivating real life connections, and maintaining quality relationships over the last 10 years in business are what I’m leaning on for support and while I’m not as visible to as many new people or getting flooded with validation and happy dopamine regularly it’s staying steady and my mental health and creativity have truly improved which is most important :)
My background is in marketing and I left social media almost a year ago. (Meaning Facebook/IG/tik tok, etc) I’ve never looked back. I still use Substack, Pinterest and now Bluesky and seeing how I like them, how they build an audience and what they do for my mental health.
Love this. I actually started playing around with TikTok for fun in the last weeks and have so many thoughts about it!
Great tips, I always say as well do not put "all balls in one basket". A few years ago I saw quite a few brands disappear due to social media changes -- if you are relying too much, you are out. Yet I also love the diversity, and seeing how your brand (or you) can show a different side in each platform. Like that good old meme of "me in different social channels" haha
Love this perspective Auste. Yeah that meme hits for a reason! As long as you’re clear on what you want to get from creating content for any space whether that’s pure enjoyment, connecting with new people, building deeper connections etc etc and it’s working then amazing. I just see more and more businesses operating from a space of “we NEED to be on every channel or we’ll die” and that’s just not the case. Would love to chat about your thoughts on TikTok soon 😁
Oh I love this!! Everything I want to write and talk about involves spending less time on social media, so I've known I would feel like a fraud by promoting the content there! Luckily those mamas who are also veering away from social media are on Substack!
Love this!!! Here for the non-social media dependent way of doing business!! 👏
I have some offers and biz ideas brewing, and I've been off social media for a couple years which I LOVE, but of course there is that short term that means, SHIT, how DO I get eyeballs on my ideas if not on social media... lol But I'm determined to get more creative and zig while everyone else zags. But ultimately hopefully a LOT more people zag and get off all the hours on social media. 😥
I get the appeal for severing ourselves from socials, but it is incredibly daunting to start from no following and scale to a sustainable business without the visibility social media can give. Do you advocate this approach for business starting from 0 as well as established businesses that could back off?
I would! Building a following on social takes so much time and energy that can be put into other avenues of marketing that often work out better. I always look at the ROI of marketing…does the time/money you spend on social warrant it? Do you get that much and more back from social? If the answer is no, move on.
This is something I feel like I'm forever thinking about, but have never seen as possible. I'm a brand and website designer, so the notion of opting out of social just feels so at-odds with my services. I don't even use IG particularly diligently but always guilt myself into the thoughts of how much more "successful" my business would be if I did. Thank you for your perspectives!
Pinterest (search engine) and SEO based marketing can still do a lot for you. But also partnerships with other businesses would be super great over trying to get in on IG 💕
I dreamt of this today- and it was loud and clear - don’t force what doesn’t work for you, lean on what works. All these micro platforms are reaching their end of days with me.
As a musician and writer, I want to build something solid that’s me. I think if creators will put all the time and effort they put into making micro contents for Ig/tiktok into their websites, podcasts and YouTube (long form) they would build something with longevity.
Could be either - depends on the type of business and your audience. Generally website optimisations are going to play a part in converting warmer audiences and blog content catches colder / newer audiences
Love this perspective Auste. Yeah that meme hits for a reason! As long as you’re clear on what you want to get from creating content for any space whether that’s pure enjoyment, connecting with new people, building deeper connections etc etc and it’s working then amazing. I just see more and more businesses operating from a space of “we NEED to be on every channel or we’ll die” and that’s just not the case. Would love to chat about your thoughts on TikTok soon 😁
We’ve been conditioned to believe that, to be successful, you have to be on social media. And when you’re there, all you see are people who seem successful because of social media. But it’s just an echo chamber.
There are plenty of successful artists, musicians, creators, and writers who thrive without social media—you just don’t hear about them on social media.
We discovered art, listened to new music, and read life-changing books long before social media existed. Those ways of connecting are still available to us.
So true! It's the trap of social media
I finally deleted the last of my social media accounts (Facebook) a bit ago, because it was still tied to a clients Page or whatever, but 100% off socials, and my newsletter is thriving. Obviously the subject matter has a bit to do with that, plus the sorts of folks who’ve ended up here on Substack, but yeah… zero social media promo and my work is moving in a positive direction, for sure.
Love to hear this Seth :)
This is a great post, totally bookmarking to share. I took my art and business off of social media in January and haven’t gone back. Building a newsletter list, cultivating real life connections, and maintaining quality relationships over the last 10 years in business are what I’m leaning on for support and while I’m not as visible to as many new people or getting flooded with validation and happy dopamine regularly it’s staying steady and my mental health and creativity have truly improved which is most important :)
Absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing :)
My background is in marketing and I left social media almost a year ago. (Meaning Facebook/IG/tik tok, etc) I’ve never looked back. I still use Substack, Pinterest and now Bluesky and seeing how I like them, how they build an audience and what they do for my mental health.
Love this. I actually started playing around with TikTok for fun in the last weeks and have so many thoughts about it!
Great tips, I always say as well do not put "all balls in one basket". A few years ago I saw quite a few brands disappear due to social media changes -- if you are relying too much, you are out. Yet I also love the diversity, and seeing how your brand (or you) can show a different side in each platform. Like that good old meme of "me in different social channels" haha
Love this perspective Auste. Yeah that meme hits for a reason! As long as you’re clear on what you want to get from creating content for any space whether that’s pure enjoyment, connecting with new people, building deeper connections etc etc and it’s working then amazing. I just see more and more businesses operating from a space of “we NEED to be on every channel or we’ll die” and that’s just not the case. Would love to chat about your thoughts on TikTok soon 😁
Yeah, FOMO is reel! I am soon(ish) in London, let's chat soon, would be nice to meet f2f! <3
💯💯💯 yes plz x
As a social media manager & strategist... I absolutely love this take!
Oh I love this!! Everything I want to write and talk about involves spending less time on social media, so I've known I would feel like a fraud by promoting the content there! Luckily those mamas who are also veering away from social media are on Substack!
I hear you. Social media + portrayals of motherhood could be its own Substack! So much to unpack. Good luck 💗
That first sentence! Whew! This is so good and encouraging. Thank you!
Love this!!! Here for the non-social media dependent way of doing business!! 👏
I have some offers and biz ideas brewing, and I've been off social media for a couple years which I LOVE, but of course there is that short term that means, SHIT, how DO I get eyeballs on my ideas if not on social media... lol But I'm determined to get more creative and zig while everyone else zags. But ultimately hopefully a LOT more people zag and get off all the hours on social media. 😥
I get the appeal for severing ourselves from socials, but it is incredibly daunting to start from no following and scale to a sustainable business without the visibility social media can give. Do you advocate this approach for business starting from 0 as well as established businesses that could back off?
I would! Building a following on social takes so much time and energy that can be put into other avenues of marketing that often work out better. I always look at the ROI of marketing…does the time/money you spend on social warrant it? Do you get that much and more back from social? If the answer is no, move on.
This is something I feel like I'm forever thinking about, but have never seen as possible. I'm a brand and website designer, so the notion of opting out of social just feels so at-odds with my services. I don't even use IG particularly diligently but always guilt myself into the thoughts of how much more "successful" my business would be if I did. Thank you for your perspectives!
Pinterest (search engine) and SEO based marketing can still do a lot for you. But also partnerships with other businesses would be super great over trying to get in on IG 💕
I dreamt of this today- and it was loud and clear - don’t force what doesn’t work for you, lean on what works. All these micro platforms are reaching their end of days with me.
As a musician and writer, I want to build something solid that’s me. I think if creators will put all the time and effort they put into making micro contents for Ig/tiktok into their websites, podcasts and YouTube (long form) they would build something with longevity.
Thanks for sharing! Totally with you on not forcing things that don’t work and leaning on what does and building with longevity in mind
I posted this same question but for marketing games! Almost all of the advice you said apply to marketing games too 🎮🙌
Great article. When you say your website though do you mean blog? Or just static website?
Could be either - depends on the type of business and your audience. Generally website optimisations are going to play a part in converting warmer audiences and blog content catches colder / newer audiences
very interesting take. Building demand without social media is tough but it's crucially important to have a balance. Like for everything in life.
Yeah spot on it’s driving demand that social media tends to do quickest