Medium is for writing? Youtube, instagram, or tik tok are for artistic expression? Nope, its for one of Medium’s Top Categories: Money. When it works, and when it doesn’t.
Image: Influenceme.de
If one of my favourite ‘influencers’ from a few years back tries to sell me yet another kitchen-mixer, or an outfit from SHEin, I’ll unfollow for good. At one point this whole social media phenomenon went terribly wrong — correct me if you disagree.
I used to love getting inspired by people on the internet, creating inspiring and actually interesting content. The only constant I got now is Pinterest, but even Pinterest starts looking like every instagram-girl’s ‘aestetic feed’.
Are we all just in for the money?
Unfortunately, it seems like it. The most viewed articles on @Medium are the ones promising a large growth in followers and income “within 30 days”. Or how to write short, meaningless articles just to get that engagement.
Don’t worry this is not your other ‘rant against Medium’ — but it is certainly interesting to notice, after just 2 days, that the main motivation on here seems to be (passive) money making. No judgement there, that is also part of the reason why I recently joined. As writers, we must constantly make sure that we earn money with what we actually like doing. No shame in that.
However, are you really going to succeed doing, writing, marketing something that you’re neither interested nor passionate about?
You can continue to make money from all social media platform when you already have a large audience that you can advertise the common instagram brands to. However, what you probably can’t keep that way, are your ideals — or even dreams.
The same goes for newbies on social media, you will most likely fail to built a loyal community if you have no passion for what you are creating. In either situation, consider the following questions:
Why did you decide to grow a community in the first place? Did you want to convey an important messenge? Teach self-love, important skills, make people laugh/happy, want to start a movement?
Some might eye-roll now because these things are arguably ‘too noble’ for today’s social media world — but these are often the reasons why people expressed theirselves on the internet in the first place. Now, it seems like there has been a large shift into marketing products that are supposed to make your life better.
Of course, if your motivation to create a community and to earn your money on social media, there are no ideals that can vanish. No judgement, everyone has a different back-story that we all just respect.
However, if you feel like you lost your way a little, consider the following:
If you’re truly passionate about the things you do and create, your followers and community will find you — and more importantly, stick with you. However, you have to be prepared for a longer process.
Of course, sometimes, such as with newbie and social media star Khaby, it can also blow up in a few months — if you have a talent. And if its “only” to make people laugh. Khaby has now kicked Charlie D’amelio from her tik tok throne. Which might also be a sign that the larger social media community wants a shift back to a platform that actually inspires and make you feel good.
Make money with the things (and products) that you geniunely believe in, and actually use yourself.
If its your own crashcourse on how to create a loyal community, great! I’m proud of you to make it this far. But please obtain from the Shein or, even better, Fashion Nova ads. Try to make this world a better, not a worse place.
The best tips to get there (brief version):
- Remind yourself of your ‘why’, and then figure out the ‘how’ everyday. (Read in Victor Frankl)
- Seek advice from people who already made it on social media. Learn from how the “influencers” you actually admire — how did they get there? How are they managing to be this successful and yet, remain true to themselves (well at least what they share with us).
- Build your community. Trying out many different things is important, especially in the beginning. However, don’t just randomly try anything that could work. No loyal community will emerge from that. Instead, figure out what you really like sharing, and practise that every day.
- Be patient. That sounds so lame — but yet its the only way to success. No one making a living from social media got there over night. Yes, maybe in only one year. But be prepared for it to take longer, every small succes is a success. Say that again.
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