Do you ever long for the good old days?

You know, when people talked to each other face-to-face and didn’t rely on social media to “network”, promote themselves or share what they had for dinner in their tiny house or mega yacht?

This week alone I had 3 conversations with 3 different people about our disdain for social media.

• It’s fake
• Too noisy
• I appreciate privacy
• Too much work
• So expensive (to have someone else post on your behalf)
• I’m so over FB!

What would you add to the list?

Sure, the pandemic changed everything in the beginning. Took away our ability to connect in person and forced us to network online.

And now that’s tiring. (or is it just me who is tired?)

In her book Braving the Wilderness, Brené Brown writes about the confusion we’ve created that social media = connection when in fact social media is a catalyst for connection.

So, what’s a person to do?

Talk to people

When the world shut down in March 2020, people wondered “will the handshake go away?” Will we remember how to talk to people? Meeting in person will be so awkward.

Based on my informal research and observations:

The handshake most certainly did NOT go away. My hand sanitizer is at the ready.

People have NOT forgotten how to talk to each other. We may not have met in person, but we did meet on Zoom. So unless you hid alone in your office, tiny house or mega yacht, chances are talking to real people will be OK.

Today I want you know this:

If you don’t like social media, don’t use it

OR figure out how to use it so that it works for you.

Maybe you…

• Prefer commenting on someone else’s post and providing a new viewpoint.
• Use it to stay in touch with people you meet when networking
• Appreciate the articles and learning opportunities
• Want to ask more questions of your contacts and collect new data
• Insert YOUR way here

There are lots of ways to use social media that won’t drain you

And if you absolutely cannot get your head around it (like me sometimes, just ask my friend Lauren who coached me through my roadblocks this week!) then go where you can win or find someone who can help.

A Caveat: Notice if you’re avoiding social media because of fear or if you truly dislike it. (Something I’m personally reflecting on). For example, making and posting videos can feel SCARY because it’s NEW. That doesn’t mean you don’t like it. Especially if you’ve never tried it.

Social media as a compliment to face-to-face

I make my best connections by talking to people face-to-face. On zoom or in person. On my podcast. Speaking to groups or one to one. Yesterday I had coffee with a colleague and by the end of our meeting we agreed to partner on an event. That would not have happened without the conversation.

Social media has become a way for me to stay in touch with people, share podcasts, find podcast guests, stay on top of industry news and meet new people through groups (the group strategy has worked well). Next up is to make it more FUN.

The Bottom Line

The good old days may have been simpler and social media isn’t going away.

To all you thoughtful, high-achieving, purpose-driven folks who feel like you SHOULD use social media because you’re being told to use it to network, promote your work, build your brand, I’m here to say, DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU and drop the rest.

In other words #shedtheformality and use social media on YOUR terms. 

Your turn to talk to me!

• What do you long for from the “good old days”?
• Social media – love it, hate it or love to hate it?
• Where do you make the best business connections?

Leave a comment, send me an email or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram to let me know!

And by the way if you’re looking for real human connection (on Zoom), join us at The Café, 9am EST to connect with others (lots of them don’t like social media!) and have meaningful conversations about business. No anxiety inducing elevator speeches or tired questions like “So, what do you do?” allowed.