Find social media success by occasionally riding a horse
Tonight: Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 43F.
If being on social media these days leaves you in a fog, you’re in the right place. In the Social Media Escape Club, we explore the idea of existing without algorithms, hashtags, or trending audio. There is no right way to do this; this is not black and white. We’re all on a journey, and I’m glad you’re here.
P.S. Paid subscribers can join the “Social Media Support for Artists” video call that I’m co-hosting with Beth Spencer in May - the RSVP info will be after the paywall at the bottom of this email.
You can get away with sparse details about your latest album when you’re BEYONCÉ and you’re riding a white horse and holding an American flag.
Compare that to a post I saw recently on a social media platform:
“Just updated my site, and added some extra goodies. Subscribe!”
Updated your site with what? Photos of fish? Paintings of barns? Poems about frogs?
Extra goodies? Videos of balloon animals? Clown sculptures?
If you’re not telling me what I’m getting, why the heck should I click? Or subscribe?
Remember, you’re up against BEYONCÉ, TMZ, brands with social media teams, Netflix, and Mr. Beast.
If all you can muster is “I updated my site,” lower your expectations. The algorithms are cruel, but it’s nothing personal. Is this fair or kind? No. But playing this game is a choice, and hardly anybody wins.
There is hope, though.
When we put BEYONCÉ on one side of the spectrum and “hey, new song” on the other, there’s a vast expanse in between. A whole realm of possibilities.
If you’re stumped and need ideas or a gentle kick in the pants, you can find out how to pick my brain (for free) here.
I’m Seth Werkheiser, and this newsletter was sent to 1,544 subscribers.
NEW: Social Media Support for Artists
Below the paywall is the RSVP link for the “Social Media Support for Artists” Zoom session, which will be held on Friday, May 3, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM EDT.
Beth Spencer is leading this. She hosts wonderful drawing sessions with her Introvert Drawing Club, gathering artists from around the world to draw together over Zoom - it’s a delight! I hope you can join us.
If you’d like access, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription.
RSVP link: https://lu.ma/x3pg6bng
Seeing an 'update post' as a spectrum between mildly telling everyone "New Post" and Beyonce riding a horse is such an innovative way to approach this 🔥
Reminds me of an in-joke I have with my friends, that I didn't realize was such effective marketing until now.
Years ago one of the Rick and Morty writers posted a photo of himself on an animal go-kart at a mall. The caption was "if you're wondering why the new season is delayed, this is why."
That stuck with me way more than any discussion about TV season delays. It's also more interesting than the typical "sorry about the delays!" post.
I don't even remember which season of the show this post was about, it was years ago. But me and my friends still joke about it! When we see an animal gokart the reaction is "you have to resist! Your novel will be delayed by years if you ride it!!"