I absolutely hate it when people make a big deal out of taking a break from social media... it's so pompous and judg-y right?
So I'm going to try not to do that, but I do need to let you know that I'm taking a breather from being on Instagram/Facebook 24/7 for the next few days or so. I don't really know how much time I need, but I don't plan to be gone forever.
However, after my break, I am planning to severely pare down the amount that I share on social media going forward.
I could write a novel about why I'm not feeling it anymore, but I don't want to bore you! It's no secret that I've been questioning why Instagram and Facebook should have so much of a say in how I run my business lately, and, well, I just ran the numbers.
You guys...
A laughable 2.2% of my sales in 2019 came from social media traffic.
2.2%
And I've been spending SO MUCH TIME/MY LIFE FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS ON MY PHONE.
For what? A couple thou??! LOL!
Yeah... thanks, but no.
I know that there are some positive aspects of social media that are difficult to quantify, but,
I've also long suspected that my Instagram followers weren't converting to shoppers and were merely scrolling onto the next account instead of stopping to click on my links or visit my bio to learn more. I just didn't realize the numbers were quite that low...
Combine that with the fact that my engagement was lower than ever in December but my sales were through the roof, and it's no wonder that I'm starting to wonder if I should even waste my time with it at all!
I am afraid to quit though.
I do feel like the effort that I put into social media in the beginning is what got me here.
But I've been relying on it out of fear too, which is just as bad.
So no more fear. Or, I'm no longer afraid to be afraid?
I just want to live my life and be present in it for a bit without feeling the need to share every little thing. Don't worry, I am a-ok. I love my work. I love my shop. I love my life, and I love connecting with you, whether you're local or on the other side of the planet. I'm just choosing not to give so much of my time (or headspace) to Facebook, Inc going forward.
And this decision is in no way a judgement on you or how you choose to spend your time or use social media. If you enjoy it - enjoy it! I always appreciate you liking and following and sharing. And if, like me, you're starting to feel really weirded out/weighed down by the obligation to share every moment of your life with the world, or to keep up with what everyone else is doing, I hope you can feel free to walk away and go live your life too.
I don't think that social media is bad. I love being able to keep up with my old friends from afar, and finding/supporting cool new/local businesses/supporting my friends' businesses...
But at the end of the day, I just don't ever feel good about the time I've spent scrolling. I'd so much rather use my time to actually go shop at local businesses or hit up the museum or the park (without my son wondering why I had to post a picture of it on my phone I mean...) or read a book. Or read a magazine, or the paper, or watch a good movie... or I don't know, maybe make some new friends in real life because I'm a single mom who runs a successful business singlehandedly and I'm not ashamed to admit that it is isolating and that Instagram DOES NOT HELP.
So I'm off to go get it. 💁🏻♀️
And here's the thing. Facebook doesn't want you to know this, but social media is only one tool for sharing.
I also have this entire website, blog, my email newsletter list, my brick and mortar shop, my mobile app... and I'm still going to be doing/sharing all of the things (just without the added pressure of ALSO HAVING TO SHARE THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA) so keep checking in.
And if you need me, I never answer messages on social media anyway, so no change there. Just keep emailing me and I'll keep happily responding just as soon as I get to my desk!
See you on the flip side. ✌🏼
Stefanie
