I cross post - to what avail I don't know. Anyway I just consider it work. Some of it is worthwhile some not so. Not everything is glamorous and rewarding - it can't be.
Absolutely feeling this. As a fellow writer, the struggle with social media is real. It's like a double-edged sword, necessary for visibility yet overwhelming to keep up with. I've had my fair share of trying to fit into the social media mold, only to realize it's not where my true essence lies. Now I'm focussed on finding a space where my creativity can flourish authentically, away from the noise of mainstream platforms, while also sometimes engaging on them.
Man, I love this. I've been trying to stay off social. Hard, when you're a writer, and part of your hire-ability is contingent on your ability to create "content." which usually just means copy for social media. I have had seasons of trying and failing to conform to social to get more eyes on my work. But I think your observation is ultimately true in my life. I'm committing to Substack, all-in, for now, hoping it doesn't turn into Twitter or Instagram.
This is the first post of yours I’ve read and I love it. I feel like I “know” you and get a clear sense of who you are just in this one post. Something that social media can’t quite do. And you’re either a really cool guy, or have everyone fooled. And I’d be one of the fools if it was the latter haha. Looking forward to digging into more of your work (refusing to call it content).
Great post that perfectly captures how real, in-person community can kill the power of social media. In my opinion, social media algorithms and their platforms which give a false sense of "community" have been hugely harmful in a variety of ways: mental health decline, disinformation/misinformation distribution, etc.
So good! I felt pressure around showing up on Instagram for a long time. I just got so tired of creating "content" and not actually creating. Reading posts like this help me to feel that distancing myself from it is more than okay and I'm not alone in it all. Thanks!
Yes! I made a pact with myself last night to stop checking my social media during the day - it's draining and on harder days with the kids it's far too easy to escape into and then feel guilty about, as it directly goes against my goal to not be on my phone around them. It's so easy to forget that the community you've built on a social platform probably isn't even aware of what you're putting out there half the time, and is such a creativity killer. A mood killer, too, because sometimes you do put a lot of effort in and then find yourself thinking "well, engagement was low, I must be crap"
Ps 100 new subs since last week! Check you out! Very well deserved
“Social media loses power when we build community in other places.” This is brilliant and powerfully put. Like so many others I’ve spent years resenting the expectation to be extremely online — but not sure how to escape from it. This piece makes an amazing argument that the solution has been there, right in front of us, all along.
I struggle with these cold hard facts often. Social media has this torturous grip on my brain to the point where I detox from it and I feel like something is missing…
This is very true. Being in the weeds with social media metrics every month, it’s fairly common to see organic reach (% of total followers who see a typical post) hover between 20 and 40 percent for every channel. Certainly there are spikes that exceed that from time to time, but it’s tough sledding for sure.
I already commented on someone’s Restack, but thought I’d share here as well. I feel like this post came out at the right time for me as I have been strongly contemplating abandoning my efforts on the big social media platforms because of the reasons in this post. Great read!
"Social media loses power when we build community in other places." Love that. And I'm beginning to feel it - here on Substack but also in real life. I've been working hard to build real friendships the last couple years and it's starting to pay off. Hanging out, helping a friend with yard work, actually calling people on the phone. Social media just loses its allure.
As I just started on her yesterday this one post just gave me and my neurosis a massive collective sigh. So thank you for that.
Social media is this necessary evil in some respects and it has literally sucked the life out of so many of us as well as society.
So thank you for this. It means I will write and share without expectation and simply hope for the organic best.
I cross post - to what avail I don't know. Anyway I just consider it work. Some of it is worthwhile some not so. Not everything is glamorous and rewarding - it can't be.
Absolutely feeling this. As a fellow writer, the struggle with social media is real. It's like a double-edged sword, necessary for visibility yet overwhelming to keep up with. I've had my fair share of trying to fit into the social media mold, only to realize it's not where my true essence lies. Now I'm focussed on finding a space where my creativity can flourish authentically, away from the noise of mainstream platforms, while also sometimes engaging on them.
Man, I love this. I've been trying to stay off social. Hard, when you're a writer, and part of your hire-ability is contingent on your ability to create "content." which usually just means copy for social media. I have had seasons of trying and failing to conform to social to get more eyes on my work. But I think your observation is ultimately true in my life. I'm committing to Substack, all-in, for now, hoping it doesn't turn into Twitter or Instagram.
This is fantastic. So simple. Thank you Seth.
This is the first post of yours I’ve read and I love it. I feel like I “know” you and get a clear sense of who you are just in this one post. Something that social media can’t quite do. And you’re either a really cool guy, or have everyone fooled. And I’d be one of the fools if it was the latter haha. Looking forward to digging into more of your work (refusing to call it content).
Great post that perfectly captures how real, in-person community can kill the power of social media. In my opinion, social media algorithms and their platforms which give a false sense of "community" have been hugely harmful in a variety of ways: mental health decline, disinformation/misinformation distribution, etc.
So good! I felt pressure around showing up on Instagram for a long time. I just got so tired of creating "content" and not actually creating. Reading posts like this help me to feel that distancing myself from it is more than okay and I'm not alone in it all. Thanks!
Yes! I made a pact with myself last night to stop checking my social media during the day - it's draining and on harder days with the kids it's far too easy to escape into and then feel guilty about, as it directly goes against my goal to not be on my phone around them. It's so easy to forget that the community you've built on a social platform probably isn't even aware of what you're putting out there half the time, and is such a creativity killer. A mood killer, too, because sometimes you do put a lot of effort in and then find yourself thinking "well, engagement was low, I must be crap"
Ps 100 new subs since last week! Check you out! Very well deserved
Love the line about how Social Media loses its power! So True - Brilliant! Loved it, count me in!
“Social media loses power when we build community in other places.” This is brilliant and powerfully put. Like so many others I’ve spent years resenting the expectation to be extremely online — but not sure how to escape from it. This piece makes an amazing argument that the solution has been there, right in front of us, all along.
I struggle with these cold hard facts often. Social media has this torturous grip on my brain to the point where I detox from it and I feel like something is missing…
This is very true. Being in the weeds with social media metrics every month, it’s fairly common to see organic reach (% of total followers who see a typical post) hover between 20 and 40 percent for every channel. Certainly there are spikes that exceed that from time to time, but it’s tough sledding for sure.
This post relieved so much social media anxiety. I feel the weight of its importance melting away as I read. Thank you.
I already commented on someone’s Restack, but thought I’d share here as well. I feel like this post came out at the right time for me as I have been strongly contemplating abandoning my efforts on the big social media platforms because of the reasons in this post. Great read!
"Social media loses power when we build community in other places." Love that. And I'm beginning to feel it - here on Substack but also in real life. I've been working hard to build real friendships the last couple years and it's starting to pay off. Hanging out, helping a friend with yard work, actually calling people on the phone. Social media just loses its allure.