So much this! I think the immediate validation or interaction that's available on social media is so appealing-- especially when the writing work goes out and there isn't a response, or there's a very delayed response.
Sometimes I wonder if we would all be better mailing out our manuscripts via snail mail and just doing the work quietly without all the added noise of social media. I always end up kind of torn about social media and that immediate validation, because I like the online connection and community, but definitely ask myself if the positives outweigh the negatives.
Thank you for sharing, Julie! I fully agree. Typically, I'll test ideas on social media to see how many likes they get, and to maintain some sort of presence, build an audience, etc. But I strayed from that path for a recent collaboration with my fiancé (that will hit shelves in 2025, woo hoo!), and we instead focused on the fun of making something that made us laugh. Obviously, a lot of luck was involved, but by ignoring social media the book came together quickly, and was a joy to make, and now I'm convinced this is the way to create moving forward. I'll admit I feel a little guilty for not sharing more with the audience I've built, but isn't it better for both of us if the end result is a better book?
Also, I can't help but wonder what your dog is thinking during your awesome videos—like, "Is she talking to me?" XD
As always, I swear you see into my brain. A few people recommended i see what my substack subscribers like and don’t like about what I make. What connects with them the most? Etc. so I did. It felt weird. On one hand, we are supposed to provide “value” for them. And it is hard to determine what they value when you don’t know who they are. On the other, is there anything more people pleasing than wanting to know someone so you can figure out the exact way to connect with them and add value so you feel validated? So...basically I did it again. I people pleased. And it didn’t get me anything really. Except the realization that I should just keep doing whatever I want with my substack and not care what the experts recommend 😂 Sometimes it is hard to keep doing when it takes so much work and it is hard to measure if it is worth it. So the only measure is, like you said, if I like doing it or not.
“I need to know it’s good without anyone telling me it’s good.” YES but also SO HARD. I think it’s the brilliance of these platforms. They’re tapping into that very human instance of wanting attention & validation. The only way I could disentangle myself from Instagram was to stop posting. Then I didn’t have any incentive to check it and see how many people clicked the heart. I’m starting to see how addicted I am to checking my Substack stats. Not addicted exactly, but highly interested. Is it possible to participate in these platforms without being interested in the attention and validation that they produce?
So much this! I think the immediate validation or interaction that's available on social media is so appealing-- especially when the writing work goes out and there isn't a response, or there's a very delayed response.
Sometimes I wonder if we would all be better mailing out our manuscripts via snail mail and just doing the work quietly without all the added noise of social media. I always end up kind of torn about social media and that immediate validation, because I like the online connection and community, but definitely ask myself if the positives outweigh the negatives.
Thank you for sharing, Julie! I fully agree. Typically, I'll test ideas on social media to see how many likes they get, and to maintain some sort of presence, build an audience, etc. But I strayed from that path for a recent collaboration with my fiancé (that will hit shelves in 2025, woo hoo!), and we instead focused on the fun of making something that made us laugh. Obviously, a lot of luck was involved, but by ignoring social media the book came together quickly, and was a joy to make, and now I'm convinced this is the way to create moving forward. I'll admit I feel a little guilty for not sharing more with the audience I've built, but isn't it better for both of us if the end result is a better book?
Also, I can't help but wonder what your dog is thinking during your awesome videos—like, "Is she talking to me?" XD
As always, I swear you see into my brain. A few people recommended i see what my substack subscribers like and don’t like about what I make. What connects with them the most? Etc. so I did. It felt weird. On one hand, we are supposed to provide “value” for them. And it is hard to determine what they value when you don’t know who they are. On the other, is there anything more people pleasing than wanting to know someone so you can figure out the exact way to connect with them and add value so you feel validated? So...basically I did it again. I people pleased. And it didn’t get me anything really. Except the realization that I should just keep doing whatever I want with my substack and not care what the experts recommend 😂 Sometimes it is hard to keep doing when it takes so much work and it is hard to measure if it is worth it. So the only measure is, like you said, if I like doing it or not.
I always enjoy these "what's going on in Julie's brain" posts! But I respect that you need to write what will work for you. Have a good day, friend.
This is an AMAZING post. Thank you for the insight.
“I need to know it’s good without anyone telling me it’s good.” YES but also SO HARD. I think it’s the brilliance of these platforms. They’re tapping into that very human instance of wanting attention & validation. The only way I could disentangle myself from Instagram was to stop posting. Then I didn’t have any incentive to check it and see how many people clicked the heart. I’m starting to see how addicted I am to checking my Substack stats. Not addicted exactly, but highly interested. Is it possible to participate in these platforms without being interested in the attention and validation that they produce?