I still use social media a lot, but not as much for marketing. Facebook I only use to participate in groups that I'm a member of. Instagram I use to promote my work and I even got a Substack subscriber through it the other day! I also use IG to find art events, associations, and opportunities because once it learns your location you start to see relevant things. I also use it to look at photo and travel locations and to find business resources. Pinterest is one I really want to return to but haven't been able to find the time. Maybe now that my Substack is set up.
It sounds like you've found a good way of using social media that works for you and your life! I love how you're using it to find opportunities and inspiration.
I so enjoy reading your insights and experiences of marketing your business off social media, they're so valuable!
I recently changed up my Instagram so I have a private feed that keeps me updated with family and friends (although I rarely check in on it) and I've set up a new 'business' account with the view to only follow and interact with people and other businesses very intentionally. I rarely use it though if I'm honest! I still don't know what to write or post that isn't just for the sake of it but it feels reassuring to have in 'the background'.
Whilst that's very much much in the background, in trying to take a more focused approach to Substack but I'm still figuring that out for myself. Substack feels so much lighter and more enjoyable plus it's definitely more aligned with my values so I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes!
Thank you for this Amy, I loved reading your reflections on and experimentation with social media. I've found it so interesting that once I was off IG, after just a couple of days, I didn't miss it anymore--it seems like that urge/pressure to post have waned for you too. Yes to being intentional--and do let me know how you get on with Substack! x
I'm on some social media for the past year, primarily for marketing and networking. Not at all for fun, because it just drains me. I'm looking forward to the day when I can leave or outsource it - and I'm already slowing down.
My main takeaway from your article is the observation that the people not on social media tend to be slower and deeper - which is the audience someone who doesn't like social media might be marketing for. That helps explain the low amount of turnover I see from my social media posts to subscribers on my Substack.
Thank you for commenting Shmuel and for sharing your reflections! Yes, perhaps social media is not working for you (and me) is because we are craving some deeper way of communicating and that we're not able to find that on social media. Good luck making it work for you!
Just came across this post and it was so validating and comforting to read... we get to craft thriving businesses by doing things differently! How refreshing to remember. Thank you.
This resonates so much with me. I’ve felt like I’ve just hit an invisible wall on instagram. Not gaining followers at all. It just seems impossible to grow a brand new account there unless you become invested in it 24hrs/day and do all sorts of posts that you don’t really want to be doing... I got so incredibly frustrated that nobody was seeing my posts and it was really bad for my mental health - it almost feels like a rejection even though it’s not a person but an algorithm that decides who gets to see your posts. Decided in the past couple of weeks I really could not do it anymore. I haven’t done away with my account completely but am planning from now on to only post when it suits me and in a format that suits me and I’m not going to see it as a promotional tool anymore. Joined Substack this week after several friends recommended it and because I wanted to focus more on a blog/newsletter... We’ll see how it goes, but I’m liking it so far. Glad I found you, will subscribe to your newsletter!
Thank you for commenting Ine--your story sounds so familiar! It's an experience that so many of us have had, and I'm happy to hear that you've been able to gain some clarity on your next steps. It often feels like Instagram is the only place to be, but I hope my posts help you discover that it really isn't, and that with an intentional approach you really *can* market in a way that feels good to you x
I really loved reading this. Would love to know what you see as the relationship between your Substack and your blog now - I hadn't realised you were still creating content there. What kind of content do you keep for your website, vs what kind do you keep on Substack?
Thank you for your comment Katie, I'm glad you enjoyed reading this :) I'm using my blog in two ways currently: to share the *free* newsletters that I also share here on Substack, and to post the occasional new post that is usually more specific than what I post here.
I know that opinions vary on reposting (copy and pasting) Substack posts, but it works for me as I'm also pinning them on Pinterest, and I put them on the blog anything from 2 weeks to a few months after sending out the free newsletter. The more specific blog posts are things like "how to use and enjoy Substack"--which I wrote off the cuff and is now generating ridiculous amounts of traffic--or posts that I can tie into pinning and SEO-ing. In that category I'm planning a few posts on social media that are shorter and more specific than my Substack posts.
Thank you Astrid for another a fantastic post! I am in the process of leaving IG and having your sage advice/posts to lean on has been such a gift! I so appreciate what you are doing and creating here on Substack. I am so glad I found you!!
I really appreciate this. I don’t want to use social media but I do want to grow a my fledgling business and I’m feeling like it’s hard to see a good path. This is definitely encouraging.
I've had a really similar experience, exacerbated by 2020 and the utter insanity of reactionary individuals trying to pick fights everywhere. I was exhausted and just left in a huff, and boy was that a great decision!
I still use groups on Facebook (I know most folks, or there is a common niche), but not much else. No IG, Twitter once a day to share my substack, and that's really it. Notes probably counts, but the tone is just so much less toxic.
Thank you for sharing Andrew! Like you, I've found it such a balm to be able to carve out a more intentional and gentler place for myself online and choosing where to hang out was a big part of that.
Astrid, thanks for sharing! I am not very good at using IG, I do have a personal page, but mostly for keeping in touch with friends and family. As for my art I am now investigating mainly into Substack (thanks to you) and Pinterest and I'm also preparing to create my own site. I have a "no friends" FB page for my art only to share in some art groups. IG seems to be a little frustrating, because I wanted to create an anonymous account, but it got suspended (very quickly and without any obvious reasons), so I am now in a sort of silly process of appealing. I don't want to change my personal page into a public one about my art for many reasons, so it seems frustrating and kinda demotivating to try and recover the account. Makes me think "do I really need an IG page for my art?", but at the same time, so many artists do have IG pages and it seems sort of important from a community building point of view...
I still use social media a lot, but not as much for marketing. Facebook I only use to participate in groups that I'm a member of. Instagram I use to promote my work and I even got a Substack subscriber through it the other day! I also use IG to find art events, associations, and opportunities because once it learns your location you start to see relevant things. I also use it to look at photo and travel locations and to find business resources. Pinterest is one I really want to return to but haven't been able to find the time. Maybe now that my Substack is set up.
It sounds like you've found a good way of using social media that works for you and your life! I love how you're using it to find opportunities and inspiration.
Thanks! I still suffer from comparison-itis and FOMO when using it, but at least there's some good. :-)
I so enjoy reading your insights and experiences of marketing your business off social media, they're so valuable!
I recently changed up my Instagram so I have a private feed that keeps me updated with family and friends (although I rarely check in on it) and I've set up a new 'business' account with the view to only follow and interact with people and other businesses very intentionally. I rarely use it though if I'm honest! I still don't know what to write or post that isn't just for the sake of it but it feels reassuring to have in 'the background'.
Whilst that's very much much in the background, in trying to take a more focused approach to Substack but I'm still figuring that out for myself. Substack feels so much lighter and more enjoyable plus it's definitely more aligned with my values so I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes!
Thank you for this Amy, I loved reading your reflections on and experimentation with social media. I've found it so interesting that once I was off IG, after just a couple of days, I didn't miss it anymore--it seems like that urge/pressure to post have waned for you too. Yes to being intentional--and do let me know how you get on with Substack! x
Great thoughts and feelings, thanks so much.
I'm on some social media for the past year, primarily for marketing and networking. Not at all for fun, because it just drains me. I'm looking forward to the day when I can leave or outsource it - and I'm already slowing down.
My main takeaway from your article is the observation that the people not on social media tend to be slower and deeper - which is the audience someone who doesn't like social media might be marketing for. That helps explain the low amount of turnover I see from my social media posts to subscribers on my Substack.
Thank you for commenting Shmuel and for sharing your reflections! Yes, perhaps social media is not working for you (and me) is because we are craving some deeper way of communicating and that we're not able to find that on social media. Good luck making it work for you!
Just came across this post and it was so validating and comforting to read... we get to craft thriving businesses by doing things differently! How refreshing to remember. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment Maggy, I'm happy to hear it resonated with you!
This resonates so much with me. I’ve felt like I’ve just hit an invisible wall on instagram. Not gaining followers at all. It just seems impossible to grow a brand new account there unless you become invested in it 24hrs/day and do all sorts of posts that you don’t really want to be doing... I got so incredibly frustrated that nobody was seeing my posts and it was really bad for my mental health - it almost feels like a rejection even though it’s not a person but an algorithm that decides who gets to see your posts. Decided in the past couple of weeks I really could not do it anymore. I haven’t done away with my account completely but am planning from now on to only post when it suits me and in a format that suits me and I’m not going to see it as a promotional tool anymore. Joined Substack this week after several friends recommended it and because I wanted to focus more on a blog/newsletter... We’ll see how it goes, but I’m liking it so far. Glad I found you, will subscribe to your newsletter!
Thank you for commenting Ine--your story sounds so familiar! It's an experience that so many of us have had, and I'm happy to hear that you've been able to gain some clarity on your next steps. It often feels like Instagram is the only place to be, but I hope my posts help you discover that it really isn't, and that with an intentional approach you really *can* market in a way that feels good to you x
I really loved reading this. Would love to know what you see as the relationship between your Substack and your blog now - I hadn't realised you were still creating content there. What kind of content do you keep for your website, vs what kind do you keep on Substack?
Thank you for your comment Katie, I'm glad you enjoyed reading this :) I'm using my blog in two ways currently: to share the *free* newsletters that I also share here on Substack, and to post the occasional new post that is usually more specific than what I post here.
I know that opinions vary on reposting (copy and pasting) Substack posts, but it works for me as I'm also pinning them on Pinterest, and I put them on the blog anything from 2 weeks to a few months after sending out the free newsletter. The more specific blog posts are things like "how to use and enjoy Substack"--which I wrote off the cuff and is now generating ridiculous amounts of traffic--or posts that I can tie into pinning and SEO-ing. In that category I'm planning a few posts on social media that are shorter and more specific than my Substack posts.
Thank you Astrid for another a fantastic post! I am in the process of leaving IG and having your sage advice/posts to lean on has been such a gift! I so appreciate what you are doing and creating here on Substack. I am so glad I found you!!
Ah, thank you Nina, I'm so happy that the post was useful! Have a wonderful weekend ✨
I really appreciate this. I don’t want to use social media but I do want to grow a my fledgling business and I’m feeling like it’s hard to see a good path. This is definitely encouraging.
I'm glad it's encouraging Diane! I wish you lots of clarity on your path ✨
I've had a really similar experience, exacerbated by 2020 and the utter insanity of reactionary individuals trying to pick fights everywhere. I was exhausted and just left in a huff, and boy was that a great decision!
I still use groups on Facebook (I know most folks, or there is a common niche), but not much else. No IG, Twitter once a day to share my substack, and that's really it. Notes probably counts, but the tone is just so much less toxic.
Thank you for sharing Andrew! Like you, I've found it such a balm to be able to carve out a more intentional and gentler place for myself online and choosing where to hang out was a big part of that.
You know, we are figuring this internet thing out!
Astrid, thanks for sharing! I am not very good at using IG, I do have a personal page, but mostly for keeping in touch with friends and family. As for my art I am now investigating mainly into Substack (thanks to you) and Pinterest and I'm also preparing to create my own site. I have a "no friends" FB page for my art only to share in some art groups. IG seems to be a little frustrating, because I wanted to create an anonymous account, but it got suspended (very quickly and without any obvious reasons), so I am now in a sort of silly process of appealing. I don't want to change my personal page into a public one about my art for many reasons, so it seems frustrating and kinda demotivating to try and recover the account. Makes me think "do I really need an IG page for my art?", but at the same time, so many artists do have IG pages and it seems sort of important from a community building point of view...