‘Done is Better Than Perfect’ & Other Social Media Tips to Master
It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of social media. So much so, that we sometimes forget how to do something as simple as to be ourselves. And if you’re a creator or business owner, the basics, such as consistency, can just as easily fall by the wayside. We previously asked some of our VOTY 100 honorees to share the best piece of social media advice they’ve ever received and their responses may ease some of the anxiety you have around sharing content. Alternatively, these tips may be confirmation that you’re already headed in the right direction.
Whatever the case, read on for advice you’ll want to commit to memory.
“It’s essential to be intentional about social media and to know your ‘why’ before starting to spend any time on it. Given how externally visible social media is, it’s easy to get caught up on vanity metrics that will cost you a lot of time, energy, money and can even jeopardize your mental health while not doing anything (or at least not enough) for you business or personal development and relationships.” –Gesche Haas, Founder & CEO of Dreamers & Doers
“I was once told that the best missions are in the present leading to the future and are meaningful to all audiences. I not only try to apply this to social media but to all of our work at Remake. Whether launching a new advocacy campaign or sharing a breaking story, it’s a really good reminder to always make sure that what we put out there is not only in line with what we want the future of fashion to look like but that it resonates with those who follow us.” –Ayesha Barenblat, CEO & Founder of Remake
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“Unfollow accounts that make you feel like sh*t! I think we often forget that we’ve curated our entire experience on social, and we can cut anyone or any accounts out who don’t serve us and our mental health.” –Ali Kriegsman, Author & Co-Founder/COO of Bulletin
“Don’t get caught up with the numbers. Engage with the followers who found you and love your content. I am grateful that people take time out of their life to check out what I’m doing or saying. I send a Thank You video to every single new follower. Why? Because a Follow is free and so is a Thank You!” –LA Dunn, Owner of Black Girls Eat
“Don’t focus on vanity metrics (likes, followers). Evaluate what your true desire is and create a clear call to action to bring your audience to the destination you’re creating. And whenever possible capture the data so that you have a direct line of communication to your audience.” –Rhonesha Byng, Founder & CEO of Her Agenda
“Done is better than perfect.” –Monica Stevens, Owner of MoKnowsHair LLC
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“Everybody starts at zero, and the only way to grow is to show up consistently, and people will start to expect you. It’s hard at first, but if you are consistent that will offset almost anything.” –Tiffany Aliche, The Budgetnista
“I know this seems counter-intuitive but don’t worry about the numbers. They are an ok metric for how you are doing overall and maybe from time to time but they are not what really matters. What matters is the impact that you are making and the lives you are able to touch. Even if that is ONE person on any given day, that is a blessing.” –Nitika Chopra, Founder of Chronicon
“Never, ever get into a fight on social media. The world is too complex to be argued via 280 characters.” –Kathryn Finney, Founder & CEO of Genius Guild
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“The best piece of social media advice I ever received was to be more present. Pre-pandemic, I wasn’t as present on our social media but learned quickly that our followers wanted to see the face behind our small business. Once I overcame my insecurities with being on camera, video content became much easier to churn out. My ability to showcase my personality and our struggles resonated with people and we reached organic growth so quickly after that.” –Aurea Sanabria Molaei, Founder & Creative Director at Flower Bodega
“Tell YOUR story. Not someone else’s.” –Denise Woodard, Founder & CEO of Partake Foods
“Be honest (from my brilliant friend and partner in I am a voter, Raina Penchansky).” –Mandana Dayani, Creator & Co-Founder of I am a voter.
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“[Don’t] compare yourself and your journey to anyone else’s.” –Candace Junée, Digital Marketing Maven & CEO of Epic Fab Girl
“I can’t remember who, but I remember early on, someone told me to shoe the entirety of myself in my advocacy. It’s taken a lot to get to this place, but I worried a lot in the beginning that the version of myself I presented online had to follow strict guidelines in order to serve the mission, but it has been through being seen as a person that I have fostered the most impactful community. I am grateful for those who have accepted me as I am.” –Imani Barbarin, Digital Disability Advocate & Communications Director
“If you want people to be invested in you and stick around to hear what you have to say, remember the 3 Es of content creation: Entertainment, Education, or Enrichment. If your content doesn’t entertain them, educate them, or enrich their lives in some way, why would they continue following you?” –Ashley Renne, Environmental Activist & Influencer
“TAKE A BREAK! Don’t let it run you and that was given to me by Denzel Washington!” –Danielle Young, Journalist, Producer, Host & Content Queen
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“If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right. It should always feel fun. And when it feels like a marketing device, or it feels like a platform that you’re standing on, it’s not what it needs to be: your honest perspective of the world. And we’re all brands. Your brand is the truth, and if you live in the truth, what you do will be what it needs to be. All that said, take as much time away from it as you can. (I say you, but I need to tell this to myself.) Don’t always be on there, just be in your life, and when you feel called to be on there, go.” –Jessamyn Stanley, Author & Body Liberation Advocate
“Capture in the moment and share after the moment. I see so many influencers spending precious bonding moments trying to capture the perfect IG moment. Which is fine. That is our job. But your audience doesn’t need that RIGHT now. It’s ok to share after you’ve enjoyed the moment.” –Ty Ålexander, Wellness Educator & DJ
“Don’t be impressed with your social media presence unless your bank account exceeds your follower count.” –Karama Horne, Culture Journalist & Content Creator
“Be yourself and be intentional and know your purpose on the platform. When you’re clear about why you’re using social media you can tell your story more clearly. There’s so much content being pushed out every day that it can be overwhelming or make you feel like you’re not doing enough, but the key is to always stay true to your who and why and the rest works itself out.” –Briana Thompson, Founder & CEO of Spiked Spin
“It’s better to get a small group of people to love you than a big group of people to like you.” –Polly Rodriguez, CEO & Co-Founder of Unbound
“Creating content is a lot easier when you stay true to your voice. Topics in the skincare world always evolve and sometimes it’s in a realm that’s hard for us to write about. We’ve found that sticking to our personality, quirky humor, and general viewpoint makes it way easier.” –Gloria Lu and Victoria Fu, Co-Founders of Chemist Confessions
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“You’re a being, not a gadget, your community will honor your humanity for taking a break from social to reset, in turn, it will reinforce their permission to do the same.” –Tracy G., Wellness Artist, Podcaster & Radio Host
“Just be yourself! And put yourself in your viewers’ shoes—ask ‘what would I want to see?'” –Trinity Mouzon Wofford, CEO & Co-Founder of Golde
“I just remember balance…let the good and bad hold the same weight…and I don’t get caught up in praise or negative feedback, I remember that it can go away at any minute…so I don’t let it consume me, and I don’t read the comments.” –Marsai Martin, Artist, Executive & Producer
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