We had been working on a blog about people’s love-hate relationship with social media, but the pandemic has drastically changed the way people are using it now, including frequency and duration, so much so that most of the data we were working with is now likely wildly inaccurate. So like everyone, we pivot, and instead we’re offering suggestions on who and what to follow on your business social profiles to stay empowered, inspired, and motivated by your feed.
Our #1 Rule for Social Media:
Keep Your Eyes on Your Own Paper
A person or company’s “feed” is a stream of their thoughts, and being in someone else’s stream of thought does not allow you to develop your own original concepts, or think introspectively and ask yourself the right questions about your business and how to serve your clients better. The definition of a follower is “an adherent or devotee of a particular person, cause, or activity,” or, “a person who moves or travels behind someone or something.” You certainly don’t want your brand to be trailing behind someone else’s ideas, or be seen as another company’s “devotee.”
For instance, there are a ton of people in our field who we like very much and admire… BUT, we don’t follow any of them on social media. We don’t subscribe to their newsletters. We’re not even social media friends with them, even if we know them in real life, and like them perfectly well. If you’re a follower, it’s far too easy to waste time getting caught in a comparison trap. By not following, we stay focused on our own work and mind our business (this does wonders for creativity and productivity, too).
So, who should you follow?
We recommend following leaders in your industry, but not direct competitors. Follow publications, speakers, and other types of thought-leaders. Follow brands and companies who are the best at what they do, even if they’re in a completely unrelated field from what you do.
We follow a lot of software companies, writers, creative conferences, news media outlets, business leaders, futurists, and artists (tons of painters, calligraphers/letterers, hoop art embroiderers, fashion designers, culinary artists – all kinds of art), but not competing firms.
We’ll use a real estate agent as another example: DO follow CEOs, area mommy bloggers, photographers, entrepreneurs, local magazines, family publications, contractors, insurance agents, local event bloggers, home decor brands, DIY websites, furniture companies, pages offering sales or staging tips, marketers, psychologists, networking groups, and connective organizations like your local chamber of commerce. Do NOT follow other real estate agents or groups, especially those in the immediate area you serve.
Everyone should follow authors, speakers, museums, industry experts on a global scale, trusted news sources, and folks who inspire you. Follow pages that post empowering quotes. Follow some meme-rich profiles to keep it light and fresh. And if anything makes you feel like garbage when you read it, immediately unfollow (unless it’s the actual news, which is totally possible in this day and age… maybe just mute it for a day or two to take a break).
Now, with your feed refreshed, you won’t be wasting time comparing yourself to others, and hopefully you’re feeling empowered and inspired every day.