The Social Media Echo Chamber

Have you ever scrolled through your social media feed and thought, Didn’t I just see this same video five minutes ago…from five different people?  Same dance. Same lip sync. Same “hook.” Same caption asking some existential question that’s been answered a million times over.  Welcome to the digital echo chamber. Where everyone is doing what works because everyone else is doing what works. 

The Price of Attention

To be clear, I understand the game. Attention is the currency, and cashing in some, if not all, of your authenticity to earn it is the price of admission.  Find a schtick that works and ride it into the million-plus follower sunset along with all the insta-fame and brand deals that come with it.  I can’t knock the hustle, but I do question it a little.

I’ve Heard the Advice Before

I’ve had strangers DM me with helpful (albeit unsolicited) advice:  “You have great content. If you want more eyeballs on it, here’s what you need to do…”.  And I appreciated the gesture.  They weren’t wrong. If I optimized my posting schedule, followed the trends like my mortgage depended on it, and whittled my content down to a specific niche, I’m sure I’d have a much larger following by now.  The ‘formula’ definitely works if executed correctly.

Formula, Shmormula

But I’m a person, not a product.  In real life, I don’t try to be everything to everyone. I don’t morph to fit into every conversation, and I certainly don’t make every detail of my existence accessible to every stranger I pass on the street.  So why would I do that online?

I’m Wired Differently

I’ve always been one of the “kids who’s doing their own thing”.  (Cue the Sesame Street classic.  IYKYK). If there’s a “right way” to do something, chances are I’m taking the scenic route – not because I want to be difficult, but because the detour usually has its own rewards. Maybe I do it to prove there’s more than one way to win. Or maybe I’m just wired this way. Either way, I’m good with it.  What I’m not good with is pretending to be one-dimensional just to “go viral.”

I’m Not Interested In Trends

The internet loves little boxes:  Stick to one topic. Use these 10 hashtags. Don’t confuse your audience.  But I am confusing. 😂 (Delightfully so).  I’m a multi-faceted, multi-talented, midlife badass who is constantly evolving (and never above rushing the dance floor whenever I hear “Cash Money taking over for the 99 and the 2000s” if the lights are low enough).   I’m not too much into trends.  Baby, I’m a whole experience.  💅🏾 And I’ll share it my way: thoughtfully, deliberately, with care. Not racing the algorithm, just moving to the beat of my own rhythm.

The Bottom Line

I know my approach won’t lead to insta-fame (and dear God why would I ever want it to?).   I won’t be in your “For You” feed three times a day. But when and wherever I do show up, it’ll be with intention, value, and something real to say – when I actually have something to say.  If I have to be known for anything, let it be substance rather than a viral clip or two.  So, no. I’ll never go viral on social media. And that’s perfectly fine with me.

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