My "other business" (separate to my writing here) grew with it's basis on social media, and I recognise I wouldn't have the capacity to do what I do where I do (an online business in a relatively remote part of New Zealand) without what it offered me at that point in time, some 15 years ago. The fabric of the whole thing has definitely changed significantly (a note to self as you're the last one who needs me to point this out), and it's a completely different beast from when I started. I'm enjoying figuring out how to grow my writing work without it, and diversify out of my reliance on it in other spaces.
As for personally, I'd love to slide off there completely.
Such a valid point about quickly figuring out how to get in touch with your loved ones. I’ve been on social media less and less these days. I love it but don’t love how fast time flies when I’m on it. We lose so much time to it!
This is sadly very true. I wished I had the courage to start my newsletter earlier. I just got so tired of social media, that I ended up doing it, albeit 3 years too late. But still, it feels so freeing to finally have a space where you can read what people have to say, slow down and engage with something they produce, rather than just scroll and consume.
I hope, at least I have fun writing and sharing my paintings here. So I guess it is all that matters. Do what makes you happy and the right people will follow. I love that about your newsletter, it doesnt feel forced and sounds authentic. It is a pleasure to read
This really makes sense - we’ve had some success on Instagram but it feels pointless when followers don’t see what you’re creating and you’re forced into following what works for them. We’re excited to see where this platform could lead, but it feels at the moment like we’re at the bottom of another steep hill
But here you're capturing emails. I know people who've been building their email lists since 2009 - I wish I was! I didn't start this newsletter until 2021, but I'm glad I did. Every email sign up you get is YOURS, and you're building an asset that will last you many years beyond any social media network.
I realized Meta is an abuser. Full of promises to change but never does. It’s always there to beat you down, if you “just” do a little more, try this, do that, then this time you’ll be able to make it.
We’ve been completely shaped into these behaviors like the digital psychology training rats for an entry level college course. And there’s always someone trying to keep you in the game with them.
Oh, you said it. It isolates us, tells us we're nothing without them, punishes us for the slightest thing (like including a link in our post), etc.... if it were a person we'd run!!!
...seth you rule dude and i think your mission is valuable...seeing the tools as tools is our tool to escape the hellscape of "we should" into the wellscape of "we truly should"...our power is ours but only if we take it...i had a friend who called myspace their space and it is a good remembrance of him...we need communities in the world, not the world in communities...
Thanks for keeping us on the straight and narrow Seth! We never spent much time on Instagram (as our follower count there demonstrates), but we feel pulled in two directions entirely. The path you are leading us down makes so much sense and feels like the obvious and natural choice, but there are some that preach Instagram isn't dead and insist that Reels can genuinely grow your audience there (I might DM you about this). Even if that's true, I'm just not sure that's a direction we want to go in (ie the work involved), but it's a quandary for us.
Someone made a comment recently, I need to make a video about it... but it was like yeah, the people who got in early on Instagram and grew to 100,000 subscribers, sure, posting on Reels to "just" reach 10% of their audience is still 10,000 people! Keep it up!
But when you have like 500 followers (like I did on IG), and you're reaching maybe 5% of your fans, that's 25 people. And the other 95% of my fans never saw the things I'm making, so what's even the point?
Thanks for this Seth. I have allowed myself to become manipulated into thinking my social media counts are essential or integral to my life when they are not. While I have yet to delete my IG and Facebook, I am following your posts with eager interest in hope that I can winnow down to Substack and only Substack as this site, devoid of advertising and full of inspiring content, is the only platform that energizes me. The others make me feel demoralized and drained. Anyhow, thank you again.
No need to delete anything just yet - but yesss, winnow down to what works for you, and know due in the process here you’re building an email list that you can take elsewhere if needed!
Ugh and ugh again.
My "other business" (separate to my writing here) grew with it's basis on social media, and I recognise I wouldn't have the capacity to do what I do where I do (an online business in a relatively remote part of New Zealand) without what it offered me at that point in time, some 15 years ago. The fabric of the whole thing has definitely changed significantly (a note to self as you're the last one who needs me to point this out), and it's a completely different beast from when I started. I'm enjoying figuring out how to grow my writing work without it, and diversify out of my reliance on it in other spaces.
As for personally, I'd love to slide off there completely.
Appreciate all you offer here- thank you.
Such a valid point about quickly figuring out how to get in touch with your loved ones. I’ve been on social media less and less these days. I love it but don’t love how fast time flies when I’m on it. We lose so much time to it!
30 or so minutes a day = 200 hours per year!
This is sadly very true. I wished I had the courage to start my newsletter earlier. I just got so tired of social media, that I ended up doing it, albeit 3 years too late. But still, it feels so freeing to finally have a space where you can read what people have to say, slow down and engage with something they produce, rather than just scroll and consume.
Bah - you're right on time!
I hope, at least I have fun writing and sharing my paintings here. So I guess it is all that matters. Do what makes you happy and the right people will follow. I love that about your newsletter, it doesnt feel forced and sounds authentic. It is a pleasure to read
This really makes sense - we’ve had some success on Instagram but it feels pointless when followers don’t see what you’re creating and you’re forced into following what works for them. We’re excited to see where this platform could lead, but it feels at the moment like we’re at the bottom of another steep hill
But here you're capturing emails. I know people who've been building their email lists since 2009 - I wish I was! I didn't start this newsletter until 2021, but I'm glad I did. Every email sign up you get is YOURS, and you're building an asset that will last you many years beyond any social media network.
Yes, and loving your enthusiasm on this - it’s giving more motivation!
The best time to have started a newsletter when 10 years ago. The second best time is right now. Let's go!
I realized Meta is an abuser. Full of promises to change but never does. It’s always there to beat you down, if you “just” do a little more, try this, do that, then this time you’ll be able to make it.
We’ve been completely shaped into these behaviors like the digital psychology training rats for an entry level college course. And there’s always someone trying to keep you in the game with them.
Oh, you said it. It isolates us, tells us we're nothing without them, punishes us for the slightest thing (like including a link in our post), etc.... if it were a person we'd run!!!
...seth you rule dude and i think your mission is valuable...seeing the tools as tools is our tool to escape the hellscape of "we should" into the wellscape of "we truly should"...our power is ours but only if we take it...i had a friend who called myspace their space and it is a good remembrance of him...we need communities in the world, not the world in communities...
thank you! YES, absolutely need to remember that the power is in our existing communities, not in these platforms.
Thanks for keeping us on the straight and narrow Seth! We never spent much time on Instagram (as our follower count there demonstrates), but we feel pulled in two directions entirely. The path you are leading us down makes so much sense and feels like the obvious and natural choice, but there are some that preach Instagram isn't dead and insist that Reels can genuinely grow your audience there (I might DM you about this). Even if that's true, I'm just not sure that's a direction we want to go in (ie the work involved), but it's a quandary for us.
Here's the comment I reference, from @lisaburdaart - it's a good one! https://socialmediaescapeclub.substack.com/p/social-media-is-a-job/comment/51032628?utm_campaign=comment-list-share-cta&utm_medium=web&comments=true&commentId=51032628&utm_source=substack
Someone made a comment recently, I need to make a video about it... but it was like yeah, the people who got in early on Instagram and grew to 100,000 subscribers, sure, posting on Reels to "just" reach 10% of their audience is still 10,000 people! Keep it up!
But when you have like 500 followers (like I did on IG), and you're reaching maybe 5% of your fans, that's 25 people. And the other 95% of my fans never saw the things I'm making, so what's even the point?
True, so true. I will check out the comment.
Independent thinkers and writers- turn off your ai in Settings on substack if you haven't already!
Thanks for this Seth. I have allowed myself to become manipulated into thinking my social media counts are essential or integral to my life when they are not. While I have yet to delete my IG and Facebook, I am following your posts with eager interest in hope that I can winnow down to Substack and only Substack as this site, devoid of advertising and full of inspiring content, is the only platform that energizes me. The others make me feel demoralized and drained. Anyhow, thank you again.
No need to delete anything just yet - but yesss, winnow down to what works for you, and know due in the process here you’re building an email list that you can take elsewhere if needed!
You got tons of likes and subscribers?!? I got hooked on that promise and it took a few years to realize it was a lie and would never happen!
What, on social media? Most I ever got was about 2600 on Twitter, and I was on there for SEVENTEEN YEARS 😵💫
Yep, I put a ton of effort into Instagram and only got around 600 followers in 3-4 years. I've been on Substack 1 year and have about 450 subscribers.