MY SECRET BATTLE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA
Using social media for work: a balancing act
Having a sustainable relationship with social media, especially when you use it to explain, promote or run your business, is really challenging.
It's hard on a physical level - it takes a lot of time to plan and schedule posts, to engage with comments during the ‘golden 20 mins' after you upload, to reply to the swathes of DMs, and to connect with potential new clients or business partners in your industry.
It's also mentally tricky if, like me, you notice a serious correlation between an increase in time spent on Instagram & your likelihood of burnout.
So how to find a balance? How can you take a step back from social when these platforms have a huge impact on the success of your business?
My suggestion: be more efficient with your time. Be more mindful with how you engage with social media. Have boundaries and know when to take a break. For eg…
Focus on quality over quantity
To have a thriving account, you don't need to post every single day, on all the social platforms that exist. Start with one or two channels and use them intentionally, spending time to nurture your communities here before branching out to other platforms. Uploading just 3-4 thoughtful, useful and on-brand posts per week will not only help your engagement, but it will make your feed less diluted and more aligned and relevant for the audience you are trying to reach.
Get to know a scheduling app - NOW!
Use scheduling and automation to free up more time for engagement, for connecting, and for yourself. When working as a Social Media Manager, Planoly was my go to (jury is still out on that one tbh). To use my time most efficiently, I would set aside a whole work day per month to plan, write and schedule the next month's content calendar for my client. It freed up my time as well as my emotional headspace, not having to think about the posting every day. Now you can schedule comments and engagement and I'm sure so much more, too. A life saver really.
Take time for you
If you need a hiatus, take it. Simple as that. Maybe a friend or a co-worker could sub in to engage with members in DMs whilst you're away, but even that is a bonus. Your community will be there when you get back, because they value you and your voice and what you have to share. That's why they follow you, right?
I'd love to hear about your relationship with social media. Your business account, your personals, whatever - if you have thoughts, I wanna hear them.
This week’s recs
Someone close to me gifted me the perfect present last week - a Moon-charged Rose Quartz crystal bracelet. Personalised with ‘The Fig’ and with gems to promote love, inner peace and awareness. Check out this beautiful made-to-order jewelry.
The Alchemist - one of my favourite books of all time. Thought-provoking and encouraging of much self reflection, it is also just a wonderful story and an easy read. Highly recommend.
As a small business owner, have you ever wondered the impact your money is having whilst sitting in the bank? I love the thought of moving away from fossil fuels by joining Aspiration, a certified B Corp digital banking alternative. With their green account, customers can plant a tree with every purchase and get up to 10% cashback with mission-aligned merchants!
I haven't been able to catch any of the Vinny Yoga talks IRL due to the time difference between here at Melbourne. However, stumbling upon these pre- and post-talk resources on the topics of Yoga for Action and How To Live Yoga Off The Mat, were extremely enlightening and worth a read by any and every teacher who wants to insight change.
