The Not-so Secret Social Media Survival Guide

Starting on social media can feel overwhelming. Most people just dive in without a plan and learn the hard way. Howeverm this is probably a good way to do it. Get in there and let’s go!

Here are five things beginners wish they knew:

Consistency Over Perfection

Instead of trying to make every post flawless, focus on being consistent. People care more about you showing up regularly than a single perfect post. Three “good enough” posts a week are far more effective than one “perfect” one.

When you’re starting out, aim for two to three posts a week. You can always add more as you get into a rhythm. Many people try to post every single day and end up burning out. Don’t let consistency be overwhleming.

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

You won’t blow up overnight. Building a real following takes time, sometimes years. Stick to a routine, keep going, and celebrate small wins along the way. Do not compare yourself to anyone else, you’re social media journey is yours alone, get in there and build it.

Connection Is Everything

Social media isn’t just posting, it’s talking, listening, and building community. Reply to comments, ask questions, interact. People connect with people, not faceless brands. Be yourself and be available to reply.

Don’t Build on Rented Land

Your followers aren’t really yours. Platforms can change their rules, and accounts can get locked or deleted without warning. To protect yourself, build an email list or a community that you actually own. This is a big reason why I love Substack as it lets me build an email list and send traffic back and forth to my other channels. It gives people more ways to connect with me.

Bonus Tip: Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to be everywhere at once. Focus on one or two platforms to start, and then branch out when you feel ready.

Don’t Feed the Trolls

Don’t let negativity get to you. It’s important to be open to constructive criticism, but avoid getting upset by it. Remember, you can be accountable without being abusive to yourself or others. The best way to deal with negativity is to not take it too seriously and refuse to engage with trolls.

Your Niche Is Your Power

Don’t try to post about everything. Pick a focus and own it. When you niche down, you become the go-to voice, and your audience will stick with you.

My Niche is Me…

That said, I post a lot of different content, which might seem to go against the idea of niching down. But for me, the niche isn’t a topic, it’s my personal brand.

Because I’m on social media so often, my unique voice and perspective are what tie everything together, no matter what I’m posting about.

LOL, plus I burned out years ago.