[Transcript starts at 0:40]
Hey, hello, hello, hello. My podcast people and thank you for joining me for yet another episode of my favorite online business podcast. If you're tuning in watching Listening on the day that it drops, it is Monday, October 13th. Welcome, welcome. Today we are talking about why social media straight up sucks so much these days.
I promise though it is not gonna be just a complaint fest. So typically I'd use some life and business updates. At this point in the show, but I don't have any, uh, the final round of the intensive is going great, which is partially what inspired this episode. So let's jump right on in. Uh, and now I'm not here to speak for everyone, right?
When I talk about social media sucking, social media sucking, but this is my podcast. Speak for myself. Um. Social media sucks these days. It sucks. And when I say social media, I'm primarily referring to Instagram and Threads. Threads used to be good. I'm gonna move the mic here for a second. Threads used to be good, primarily during Harris's campaigning period, and it's not so good anymore.
I have no comment on the status of TikTok 'cause I literally never go on it. I'm old. Uh, I have an account. I wanted to secure my handle and people sometimes send me videos, so I watch it over there. Usually my youngest brother Dan. But I'm old and I literally, I find the user interface so overstimulating, there's just like so much on it.
I, I never say never, but as it stands right now, I don't use it. So I don't have no comment on whether it sucks right now or not. Um, actually I should probably say that I have some friends that are like, just, you know, that's where they get their scroll time in at the end of the day is actually they're finding, they're, I think what J-Pop said.
She was like, basically, you know, it's a platform where I still can, can leave laughing. And I'm like, all right. That's amazing. But Instagram, it's kind of sucking. It's kind of sucking. Uh, I actually got hacked on TikTok. This is how little I use it. I got hacked and I, I saw it happening. I, I have two factor authentication and so like, I was getting these alerts and it was like, you're logged in and your thing is being changed.
And I was like, but I can't do anything. I was also coaching a class at the time and I was like, I can't do anything. And then I got hacked. Uh, and then I submitted like an inquiry thing. I just wanted to get back 'cause it was my, it's my like the movement ma show and it was posting. Like spam. And so I was like, I don't want this to be a thing.
So I actually did get it back. It took like a couple of weeks. Um, I had to like do a little, submit a ticket and like send this picture or I don't fucking remember, but like I did get it back. Um, but all that to say I don't be using TikTok. So this is not about TikTok sucking. Like I have, I have no words about that, but social media, Instagram, and threads, it is sucking.
It's not fun to be on there. And I haven't been posting as much. I've been posting a little bit more, um, than I was like, I stopped posting for quite some time, especially like after the election. I was like, fuck this, I don't wanna be there. Um, but I do have a few thoughts as to why it's sucks so much. And a few, uh, action items, an action item or two based on those thoughts.
You know, while I do curate my experience on there and I stay preaching about curating your experience, IG stays with the fucking recommended post as well. Like, which you can shut off and like list it off for 30 days at a time. Um, but besides the eng, the recommended post, which are sometimes better than the others of, I say it's like.
The stuff I am seeing is either tofu, right? It's all the same, it's bland, um, takes on the flavor of other things, or it's like this rage bait, engagement, farming shit. There's nothing in between. Um, I actually have no qualms, no issue with a feed full of political unquote, uh, you know, political content. You know, it's, it's sad what's become political, like human rights are somehow political.
Uh, but, um. And I'm not here to turn my eyes away from it, like the real shit that's happening. I have no problem with. That's my feed. There's some really good stuff, really good accounts that I follow that are, you know, political. Um, what I take issue with is the other stuff of how it's presented. I'm just like, this is the worst.
Like it really feels like we either have this super sensationalized, rage, beatty engagement, farming engagement, baiting content, or just boring fucking tofu content about whatever people's niche is. And like, yes, they need to post this content, but it just looks and feels and sounds the same as everyone else.
And I'm like, I think we can do. Better. Like now, I, I also think the caveat here that there is something, so if you feel like I'm snatching your wig right now, there's something to be said about like a ceiling being hit. And I'm sure that if you listening to me, you have hit that at plenty of times with my own account and maybe even my podcast where you're just like, okay, I've had enough for now.
Like, I'm gonna come back later. I get, I'm good. I've just had enough of this thing. And like, you know, you can only watch the same show with so many times and then you need a break, which is fine because you'll return to it later. You're good for it now. But like. If this is, you know, these creators, if that's what it is, it's, it's fine, right?
Because their content comes across my feed and I'm not annoyed by it. It doesn't contribute, in my opinion, to the overall suckiness. I'm like, they're still speaking their truth, right? They are. You know, they're consistent and that is why it feels like, okay, I've seen this before, because they're consistent, which they need to be to help with like, you know, new people coming in and I have no qualms with that.
It's like just the rest of the shit, like the overall feeling. I'm just like, fuck. Right. I think, I think what. For me, what has contributed most to thinking that, you know, feeling that social media is sucking right now is the attention seeking behavior. It's really bad, especially on threads as well, right?
I think that the algorithm is the worst thing to ever happen to creativity, right? Greed on the part of the owners of these platforms and the desire to keep people scrolling endlessly 'cause of creed is the worst thing that has happened to creativity, right. For those of you listening, watching, and maybe you want the chronological feedback on Instagram, you're never fucking getting it.
It ain't ever happening. Why not? Because the data that they talk about shows that we as consumers stay on the apps longer when random shit is put in front of us, not stuff from our friends in chronological order. Right? Because you would just go through it and be like, all right, I'm done. I'm gonna like step.
They put new stuff in it. They put rage, baby stuff, engagement, farming stuff, and suddenly you're on there for three hours and being like angry. Why do they do it on purpose? I, I've always tried to liken content creation to being an artist, and so for some people it's a stretch, but I'm like, it, it feels the same to me, and I think that it becomes crystal clear how fucking tragic it is and how fucking tragic it would be.
If artists only created things that they thought people would clap for, right. It's absolutely fucking tragic. Like, yes, we do know that that is the reality for some artists and like, you're like, man, they sold out that their shit is not good anymore. And like it's tragic and that's what we see on social media, right?
Getting lured into the, into getting lured into the, the, the death spiral of what will the algorithm like It's made social media suck. For sure. The other side of this, and yes, I am blaming the algorithm again, is that it objectively doesn't reward quote unquote good content. I know good is subjective, but it rewards and pushes.
When I say reward, it pushes to more people. It rewards content that keeps you on the platform and that's it. And it's not necessarily, that's good, right? We know that folks use social media primarily for entertainment and some escapism, and I have no qualms with that. I'm not saying you just say it's right or wrong or bad.
It's like, I have no qualms. We just know that that's how people use it and when that's the reality, that's why people are using it. The type of content that is going to keep someone on the platform, it's typically not some super deep thought provoking, unique, you know, formulate your own type of opinion.
Formulate your own opinion type of content. Like think about our, our, our, our day-to-day lives. Like if you go to the grocery store, at the end of the day when you're tired and you're hungry, you go and buy chip. You're not buying something, you gotta go make a meal. Like, you're just like, oh, gimme the fucking whatever.
So yeah, this does all circle back to our current life circumstances, and that's being a big driver for things. And by the way, fuck Donald Trump and fuck that whole administration. Fuck 'em all the fucking worst. Fuck 'em. I, so, yes, that is a big driver. That's the ultimate thing, is like life is not good for people.
So they need this, they need this escapism, but left to its own devices. Meta ain't helping things out. They're not putting out beautiful sunsets, you know, in front of you. Beautiful sunset content, nice content they're putting shit on. It's gonna keep you mad, right? It's gonna keep you dumb and keep you on the.
Platform. So what can we do? What can we do about this sucky content And the fact that it sucks on Instagram? Well, number one, obviously get off your phone, like, or get off the platform. So ideally you go outside, you do other stuff, right? I understand that you're in the beginning phases of, of building your business, your online business that like social media is where the people are hanging out.
And so like frequency is your friend and being on there is, is is necessary. Um, but also. Using social media has to be sustainable, right? And. You don't have to be on a 24 7. I built my platform by documenting my day to day when I was still in person. Right. I was still treating, I still had very much the whole life.
Not on the phone. And so like you can do that as well. Um, but, you know, do more stuff outside, do more stuff in person. I have, there's definitely like a big shift going on or people are, people that have been in the online space are just like, I wanna go like in person. I'm like, yeah. I guess that, um, I think there's also something said about gonna different platforms.
I am on Reddit more, um. I don't like Substack as a platform that I use personally, but I get things, I read stuff there. I wish people would have it on their own platform. Um, 'cause I, I don't even go on there and read. I get sent, it gets sent to my email and so I'm reading emails a bunch. Um, I do not. I have a podcast episode Courtney.
Thank you, actually, uh, thank you for everything, but also, uh, YouTube, jojo. Um, I have a podcast episode about, you know, should you start a substack, I think No, like, it's not a platform you don't fucking own. Um, but the, they send the emails to my inbox, which is like, I would subscribe to this thing that's not on, on Substack, like, it's fine.
And I didn't, it's not like I found the people through Substack, so I found most of them through threads or through like a recommendation or Instagram. So it's not like, oh, well I had to be, you have to be on there to get the recommendation. So. Um, there's that. Uh, what else can we do about the suckiness?
Don't take the rage. Bait, don't fall for the engagement. Farming. It's really interesting, like especially on threads. I see it. People that I respect, they are like. Doing replies to a post that I can't see, and if I can't see it means that I've blocked that person. I block people if they're in someone's comments, acting a fool, or just, I'm like, I don't even wanna, I don't ever want anything you ever say or think to come across my page again.
Uh, because threads is just like, you know, suggestions the whole time. Uh, and so it's interesting that I see these big creators and they're like responding to a post or like a thread that I can't see, and I'm like, why are you even interacting with this fucking person? They're clearly an idiot. Like, what, what are you doing?
So, you know, don't fall for the rage bait. Don't take the rage bait, don't fall for the engagement farming. Like, if you interact with it, the algorithm's gonna serve you more of it. And also the people that are doing that get positive reinforcement about their shitty content and other people that are watching this and seeing the numbers on that, they're like, oh look, it gets attention, attention seeking behavior.
I'm gonna do that. Like, I, I wonder these fucking press conferences that fucking Trump does, like, does what if no one just fucking showed up? I get it. The right's gonna fucking show up, I guess, but like, just like sometimes it's like, shut the fuck up. Like just don't even go and interact. Like what would happen?
That's, that's like we know, we know like star of oxygen, the kids having a temper tension, like just walk away. It's the same, same. But like, you give it energy and it's like, oh, I'll positive reinforcement and attention for this, and then you get more of it. So don't engage with it. You don't have to engage with it.
Uh, and then lastly, two things, two tactical things and then we'll wrap it up. Two tactical things that are a bit of what we'll call, I guess, future casting, right? So as per always as it relates to social media, if you do want more as relates to Instagram, if you do want more engagement. Do more stories. Go do more posts, do more stories.
And this is where you can connect, truly connect with people. I mean you to use Instagram to connect and not to broadcast. And the reason I say this is future casting is like, this is what's gonna, this is what we're gonna see the trend go towards of like more stories and uh, more dms, right? Subsequently, you get more dms.
Adam Moser, the CEO of Instagram has already said it like they are prioritizing reels and dms because that's what keeps people on. They're like, that's what they've seen the most growth from most inter most interaction with platforms from those things like make your stories and actually have conversations with people.
The second half of this is relates to content creation. If you're gonna be using this thing right, is to you personally as the creator, lean into nuance and expertise. The pendulum always swings back the other direction at some point, and I believe that's where we're headed. We're finally on the pendulum swinging back, right?
We're leaving ideally the age of the influencer and moving into the age of the expert. And people want nuance. People appreciate longer content, right? They wanna hear from objectively smart people. I, I didn't say educated. 'cause it doesn't mean like, oh, you have to have gone to high some fucking school.
Like they went from smart people. Smart looks like a lot of different things, right? What's your expertise with this thing? Right? They wanna hear from people who are true and actual experts on that topic. They've studied this thing extensively now. They just thought about it. They've studied it, they wanna hear it, and they are here for longer form content.
And more nuance. I told you I'm like out here reading, reading Reddit, but I'm out here reading, um, these blogs. Like I will watch a longer reel. Absolutely. Three minutes, four minutes I make them and I'll also watch them. I want the context, I want the nuance. That's also, I don't really love threads is there isn't as much nuance.
And then like, it's like also it's annoying in that capacity to watch to read 16 like short things together. I'm like, I just wanna read the whole thing together. This is annoying. Um, but there is one account he talks about fashion and the kind of. Men's fashion, traditional fashion, like ties it into some of these like social things.
It's actually pretty cool, but it's in the minority of like what I'm willing to read over there. But people are, but you know, to my point, there's the expertise there that he has and the nuance and going in depth with things. I so lean into the creating that type of content, right? Create the content that you want to see on the platform for the love.
As you're creating that content, share your fucking opinion and your values and what that things means to you and why, right? Don't just become Encyclopedia Britannica, but shout out to the og, right? Encyclopedia B, so. I think we know why social media is sucking, and I also think that we can make it better if we want to.
Right? There's plenty to be said about just like, just put it down and like, don't use it as much for sure. Um, but for those of you that like social media, those of you looking to use it for your business and looking for more than just me bitching, you know, the action items are there, is to create the content that you wanna be consuming, right?
And be willing to use your voice and share your opinion and, and be your own person. And more specifically as it relates to a business, right? 'cause businesses are built on solutions to problems. It's lean into nuance and lean into your expertise. Say more things, go more in depth with it. You know, stop trying to, you know, placate the algorithm and be like a ten second video.
Like, what the fuck are you getting across in that? So that's my bitching for today and hopefully some action items for you, uh, regarding. Instagram and the social sucking. If you're having a great time on socials, then keep on keeping on. If you're enjoying it, please by all means, keep on keeping on. I just want people to be happy and, and experience joy.
Um, but if you're feeling the same kind of way and you're looking to actually do something, uh, besides spend less time on it, which is totally, totally, totally acceptable and, and viable, um, create the content that you want to consume. Okay? Alright. Look at the time. Nice. Short episode. That is all I got for you for today.
No call to action. Nothing. Just grateful that you are here. Uh, I know you could have been doing anything and you chose to listen to me, chose to watch me, and I do. I do genuinely, genuinely appreciate that. All right. As always, endlessly, endlessly, endlessly appreciative for every single one of you. Until next conference, maestro out.
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MOTM #661: Should You Start a Substack?
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