The Truth About Building a Digital Footprint

When you reach a certain point, you start seeing haters come out of the woodwork to take a swipe at you.

No, it’s not met (yet?)…

Derek Hughes was sharing his take on the fact that basing your business around social media platforms is like building sandcastles in a rising tide.

His usual CTA at the bottom (which is part of his Medium template that he updates occasionally) points to his free email course.

Full disclosure: I’m a fan of his journey as well as an affiliate for his headline toolkit course.

A quick peek in the comments and you’ll find that some people grouse about its existence; that his article just another pitch to get subscribers and customers.

I used to be one of those cynical types…but no longer.

It’s one of the lessons that is either accepted or not, and it means the difference between a starving, embittered writer and the lucrative, thriving one.

Nobody else will promote your work until and unless you do first.

It’s never too late to shift your mindset, but it’s better to do so before you start throwing rocks at people like him.

Every successful writer I’ve encountered has a similar “come to Jesus” moment (and, no, I’m not a Christian despite being raised in the South).

You either learn to take the fork in the road and use it at the first restaurant or you starve.

The common analogy for social media is complete BS

Derek’s right in his article when he trashes the comparison between the internet and rented space.

I’m guilty of using the same phrase.

The truth is that we’re not even remotely renters (though we like to think we have some semblance of a voice).

We don’t.

We are the product.

No matter which platform you set up shop, this is the occupational hazard of social media.

You are at the mercy of the algorithm, the trend, and the court of public opinion.

As an introvert who is building a digital heirloom, it’s not my thing.

Like so many of you, I’d rather not be at the mercy of the whims of any one platform.

Tik Tok is a prime example as its fate is still in limbo.

I said it once before, and I’ll say it again.

If you don’t know your values and what ideals you represent, your identity will become tethered to something beyond your control.

It will be repurposed to suit an agenda.

That’s why I’ve taken years to figure out my boundaries before committing to this pursuit of creating my digital footprint.

With my recent rebrand that is now in full swing, I’m here to demonstrate and share how moving forward.

What do you think of the social media industrial complex? Let me know your thoughts!.