habit before chasing 'virality'

2 minute read time

Today’s issue: A friend said they want to quit social media because of low engagement and no business, but doesn't want to talk to a woman about it. So here I am explaining a goal new creators should have so they don’t quit.

Since the dawn of social media (or 2010), creators trying to build a business have been cursing praying to the internet gods asking, ‘Why the f$#k aren’t I going viral!?’

How we got here: Social media was originally created to connect people around the world digitally and share ideas and interests. And Twitter (X) specifically, it was a networking tool to be used similar to texting.

But like mullets, it didn’t last long.

Two things happened:

• People could make money online with their content and good marketing.

• Celebrities who gained their popularity offline, creators with years behind their success or early adopters, and charming gurus selling ‘the bigger you are, the more opportunity’ it’s too easy to think the currency of success is in likes and comments.

Hell, I spent 6 months chased followers thinking a successful business and respect was on the other side. No literally. I chased one guy who unfollowed me to get him back once. It was not my best moment.

But I’d hedge my bets you didn’t become a content creator to chase people or get anxiety attacks about engagement.

The goal on social media when you want to build a business or brand is building ⭐OPPORTUNITIES⭐.

Before I try to persuade you to think otherwise, consider this:

When I started posting content online, I thought ‘I’m nobody’ (still am) and started hunting for followers almost immediately.

When you aren’t known, what is the best way to be seen? Your content.

But the biggest problem I see people looking at their followers and engagement to decide if they are successful and quit because they are demoralized by the lack of attention.

I think that’s why I keep hearing one word on repeat: CONSISTENCY

Your first goal should be not giving up by making the barrier to entry (or opportunity) low.

In other words, you need to build a posting habit.

I follow one rule: one post, one comment, and one DM a day. (courtesy of Andrea Bosoni)

No, seriously that’s it.

Now I know people are jumping to LinkedIn the way creators did to Threads back in July before returning. It’s up for you to choose, but are you leaving because engagement is low right now or because you don’t think you can hack it?

More than ‘going viral’ I want to find my tribe who finds my content and feels seen and build trust and then a business with them. Nick Huber has some shit posts, but his Twitter (X) game is for the few.

Bottomline: You don’t need to make social media a challenge. Start simple and build overtime.

Thought Experiment

Think about any book, podcast, movie, or creator you know. How long did their work exist before you found them?

cool stuff

Pat Walls Webinar: I hate webinars but I enjoyed this one. Simple strategy I’ll be using: Idea > goal > deep work > consistency. The way he explained his simple method of using a business model you know makes money — which leads me to point number 2, 3, and 4.

• Entrepreneurs On Fire Podcast Income

• Starter Story and Danny Miranda YT video

• First Class Founders

See you next week,

Nichole Morris