Congrats, you made it through the week
+ the era of the independent creator + no B.J. Novak hidden here
Hi friend,
This week has been a lot. Actually, the last few weeks have been A LOT.
I don't know if it's the same for you, but it feels like there's something wild in the air.
So, I'll keep this one short.
If this season has been a lot for you too, it's okay to admit that. It's okay to sit with it.
It's okay to not look on the bright side or try to come up with some moral epiphany.
It's okay to just push on and keep going.
It's more than okay, it's enough.
You are enough.
with warmth + love,
N
Oh, one more thing: I'm working on some exciting expansions for Social Media Detox content. Because we're friends, I'm going to be asking for your thoughts in the next few newsletters about the future of this newsletter. Here's my first question:
Would you pay ~$10 or less per month for additional weekly content (ex. mental health tools + tactics, interviews, research pieces, etc.) from Social Media Detox? Click the options below to vote.
Yes, I would pay a monthly subscription for additional weekly content.
Eh, I want more robust content but I don't want to pay for it.
Nah, I'm good with just the free version.
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π The Click Throughs
Long-form reads for the marketing geek + content creator
Fast Company: Move over, Instagram influencers: Welcome to the era of the independent creator
This past week, this must-read study came out investigating the rise of the independent creator (i.e. creators straying away from single-stream unowned platforms, such as YouTube). If you can't or don't want to read the full study, this piece is a great overview.
New York Times: B.J. Novak's Face Is on Products Worldwide. He's Not Sure Why.
This article came out on Wednesday, then Twitter had a field day. This is why you may have seen B.J. Novak working his way into the strangest of memes and logos this week.
Marketing Brew: Love 'em or hate 'em, Stories are everywhereβhere's how to make them work for your brand
I know, we all love hating on Stories, but... what if I said they actually might be a solid feature? Don't hate me, but with platforms prioritizing them front + center (or, front + top?) is a great opportunity for your brand to shine. Also, yes I'm biased because this article was written by yours truly. I'm providing you with all my best brand Stories tips. If you've got feedback, hit that reply button!
Vox: The sexfluencers
When celebrities and influencers with large followings join OnlyFans, people expect one thing from them. The one thing that made the platform so popular to begin with. This article is a fascinating study on what happens to those with large followings who join the platform and what the repercussions are to full-service sex workers.
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π§πΌββοΈ Mindful Moment
One actionable thing to get you through this week
This week's mindful moment is a thought prompt. Let's get excited about what's ahead. Tell me:
What's one thing you're looking forward to doing next week?
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π Link(s) in Bio
Things Iβve been loving that have absolutely nothing to do with marketing or business
Vanity Fair: How Pickleball Won Over Everyone From Leonardo DiCaprio to Your Grandparents β Okay, so in my tiny small hometown in MA, we had the option to play pickleball in gym class. I enjoyed it, but then never heard of it again until recent years when trendy clubs and athleisure brands all embraced it. Feels so weird, but I like that I can play with my limited athletic ability.
New York Times: Vinyl Is Selling So Well That It's Getting Hard to Sell Vinyl β I love a good vinyl article, but could anyone have anticipated the demand for the physical music format to grow past the 80s??
The Guardian: I'm a life coach, you're a life coach: the rise of an unregulated industry β I'm so fascinated by the culture around these IG famous life coaches. Don't get me wrong, some coaches are really helpful + can get you through life slumps, but some "coaches" give off major MLM-preying-on-the-hardships vibes.
New York Times: Even With a Dream Job, You Can Be Antiwork β This article hits on ALL the important points. You can still love your job and enjoy your job while advocating for work/life boundaries and not being overworked.
The Everygirl: Sit at a Desk All Day? We Asked a Physical Therapist What To Do About It β When I first saw this article, I scoffed and rolled my eyes... and then proceeded to read all the tips. I hate it, but I need it (because my scoliosis isn't making this any easier).
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π Content Calendar
Ideas for you to take into your week ahead as a content creator
So often people dismiss brands who jump on overused trends or memes while simultaneously applauding those who have done it well.
So, before you jump on posting the latest meme to your brand account, here's what I suggest to avoid internet ridicule:
First, take a moment. Take a beat to consider whether or not this makes sense for your brand to post, or if you're just posting it because you feel like you need to. If you've evaluated it with others and spent time thinking about how you absolutely, definitely should post this trend, proceed to the next step.
Second, post it and don't read the comments immediately. I know, you should see brand sentiment and how people are reacting. But in that moment, I'm sure you're having a lot of anxiety and stress about what people will say. Take a moment. Take a beat to walk away and know that you did what you, as the expert put in place to run this account, thought was right.
(And maybe read the comments later over a glass of wine. No judgment here.)
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π The (ring) Light at the End of the Tunnel