Social Media Is a Double-Edged Sword for Creators — Exploring Positive Sides
A step-by-step guide to creative and productive use of social media tools and platforms for content creators
Social media can be tricky if we’re not careful, like using a knife or a stove. We can’t blame the knife for a cut or the stove to burn our hands, right? It’s all about how we handle it. Let’s keep it real. Social media isn’t a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down deal. It’s a tool like any other. We must use it smartly and give it the desired meaning.
Social media is like that trendy new medicine — it has its perks but comes with side effects. You’ve probably heard the buzz about its downsides, from time-sucking to stress-inducing. Some folks even shout, social media detox, or fast as I did.
Time is like gold. We’re all about not wasting it. We’re flipping the script and seeing social media as an investment, not a time drain. As far as engagement in social media is concerned, it is all about being mindful and intentional.
The goal of this post is to provide a comprehensive response to the typical inquiries writers and bloggers often pose regarding the creative and productive utilization of social media.
Drawing from my decades of experience, I aim to offer insightful guidance and solutions to these commonly raised questions from multiple angles to make this a helpful source for content developers.
Escaping the Social Media Snare- My Tale of Stress and Liberation
I’ve been a denizen of the social media landscape since its inception. Not just a passive user but an active force in its creation — a technical consultant shaping the very architecture and design of some platforms.
Imagine a technologist and scientist wrestling with the clutches of social media to benefit from it as a user and a developer. That’s me.
And trust me, I’ve been down the rabbit hole, too. We’re talking endless scrolling, chats that stretch into eternity, and a lurking sense of stress we can’t quite shake.
It’s not just my story — it’s the story of countless others. A staggering 70% of Americans are hooked on social media, and the addictive effects are real.
Researchers have dug deep, pointing to an imbalance created by excessive usage that’s a red flag for our mental health. Like drugs, social media can raise our ΔFosB and make us addicted.
I was there. Addicted, stressed, and losing sight of real-life connections. But the turning point came when I realized that social media wasn’t just consuming my time — it was devouring my well-being. It was time for a change.
Like a detective on a mission, I cracked the case. The culprit? Social media overload. Hours vanished into thin air as I waded through messages and posts, trying to keep up with hundreds of friends turned strangers.
But it wasn’t just the time sink — it was the stress. Messages piled up, issues mounted, and suddenly, I was the go-to pseudo-shrink for problems I had no business solving. It was time to break free from this virtual vortex.
So, I took a radical step: no more scrolling or pseudo-therapy sessions. Instead, I reconnected with a select few friends who truly mattered—no noise, no drama — just real connections.
And the result? A ton of weight lifted from my shoulders. My sleep improved, my stress lessened, and I started achieving more by doing less.
The dopamine-driven pull of social media?
I replaced it with quality activities that enriched my life.
Two hours of extra time each day became my playground. I read, listened to music, jumped on trampolines — you name it. And with that, my mental health soared, and my stress levels plummeted.
I still use social media for business — it’s a valuable tool in my arsenal. But I learned that meaningful moments are what really matter. The excitement of endless scrolling pales compared to the joy of genuinely enriching experiences.
So, here’s the bottom line:
Social media can be a double-edged sword. It’s up to us to choose how we wield it. Don’t let it steal your time and sanity — instead, let it be a vehicle for meaningful connections and moments that truly matter.
Now, I believe you’re thinking, “Give me the deets!”
I’ve got you covered. Based on my experience, I am talking about just six minutes of investment a day — that’s all it takes to start creating our own luck in the social media world.
We can use it as a serendipity creation tool for generating synergy. This is the best outcome from my decades of experience.
Stick with me, and I’ll show you how to master this approach quickly. This isn’t about chitchatting. It’s about sharing our content with purpose.
I will first summarize how I use different social media platforms with critical points to give you an idea.
I highlight principles so that you may customize them for your needs.
By the way, I have no affiliation with any social media platform, so my perspectives reflect my independent and experience-based viewpoints.
LinkedIn as the Most Lucrative Platform for Professionals
On my journey of professional networking, I found a lucrative avenue in LinkedIn — a platform that has yielded remarkable results.
Referrals flowing in from LinkedIn paved the way for an impressive income, surpassing five million dollars in two decades since 2003.
Years of dedicated presence on this platform have led to my skills receiving endorsements from numerous credible professionals.
This has given me a reputation that employers and recruitment agencies find reassuring when seeking my services. This trust has been instrumental in fostering business relationships that bear fruit.
It’s worth noting that these earnings stem not from content monetization but from the referrals I’ve received for my consultancy endeavors.
While my content contributions are offered freely, they represent a token of appreciation for the community that has supported me.
The numbers speak for themselves, as I’ve amassed a following of close to 25K professionals, with a substantial 10K among them being executives — individuals who serve as credible referees for the range of services I offer across various domains
.The journey has been humbling, and the opportunities that LinkedIn has unlocked continue to inspire my professional growth.
I see LinkedIn as our professional playground. LinkedIn isn’t just where we put on our work hat — it’s where 500 million professionals hang out worldwide. That’s a lot of potential reading buddies!
I’ve got a little treat for our writers here. I created two LinkedIn groups tailored just for writers. One for each publication and a fancy page that covers both. I
A Few Words and Guidance About Other Major Platforms I Use
Quora has millions of users. Quora has an innovative extension to questions and answers. The extension is called Quora Spaces. This feature allows users to add links, write articles, and interactively share their experiences. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use these Quora Spaces.
I am not a fan of using Facebook for socializing, but it can be an excellent tool to amplify our content. I observed some of the articles gained thousands of views on Facebook and helped those articles to go viral.
Facebook page is a static site where you can share your posts. Facebook group is an interactive site where you can share your posts and engage with others by creating conversation topics. Here is a step-by-step guide to using Facebook pages.
I am on Instagram, but I don’t use it as it wastes my time. I only posted the covers of my books. But some people gain benefits so you may consider it. I am also testing Threads and will document my experiments soon.
Pinterest may sound like a fancy tool, but it is commonly used as a business tool for content marketing. I explained my reasons in a previous story. Here is a step-by-step guide to using Pinterest Boards.
The YouTube platform supports millions of users. By introducing yourself and your stories, you can attract new readers. Our YouTube channel can help you gain new followers and improve your relationship with your followers. Here is a step-by-step guide to using our YouTube channel.
I have mixed thoughts and feelings about Twitter, which is now called X. Despite my bias, I still tweet every article I read and recommend our writers to do so. It is straightforward to tweet articles on Medium. All you need to do is to link your Twitter handle to your Medium account. I provided a step-by-step guide to achieving this goal.
I also have mixed feelings about Reddit. It is a great community. But also, some communities are very restrictive. For example, a community I adore restricted my experimental content on health and well-being. So, I created my own community for writers who can freely share their content. Here is the step-by-step guide to starting Reddit.
Ah, Tumblr is a platform with a story of its own. Once a love affair, I generously shared my content from Medium, only to find my account suspended on the grounds of Medium content being labeled as spam. There is no resentment here, but it’s worth noting that a long-time supporter’s journey took an unexpected turn. Here’s Why Tumblr Might Terminate an Account.
I am about to explore Mastodon, a free and open-source software for running self-hosted social networking services. It has microblogging features similar to Twitter. I will document my findings in an article.
Importance of Tailored Platforms
Think of these social media tools as bustling towns, each with its own vibe and crowd. You could totally carve out your own niche in these digital lands. But guess what? I’ve got a shortcut for you.
I’ve gone ahead and designed platforms for each tool. It’s like having a cozy, pre-made space to call home before you build your own castle.
These spaces already have a fan club. Yep, fellow writers are already hanging out there, waiting to cheer you on. It’s like instant followers, ready to appreciate your work.
Plus, these platforms are like well-watered plants — they’re growing and growing fast and being moderated. Readers love a curated feast. Fast and fabulous — just how we like it.
You can find my tailored platforms listed in the attached article. Please feel free to join them to share your content and be part of the communities I built.
Think of this post as your cheat code for the social media game. You’ve got customized platforms, tips, and tricks all at your fingertips.
Now, I want to share my three super time-saving tips for using social media creatively and productively.
Tip 1 — Centralize your social media links for easy access.
This nifty trick stops you from searching high and low for them every single day. How, you ask?
Think about adding them to your browser’s favorites or stashing them in a trusty text file that’s always just a click away. Call it “my social media links” for good measure.
Say goodbye to link hunting. As for me, I’m a LinkTree enthusiast. It’s like my social media command center. Check out my LinkTree kingdom as an example. Ready to become a LinkTree pro? Dive into this simple guide.
Tip 2 — One Link at a Time
Open each link when your masterpiece is ready to roll. Give that click finger a workout on each link. The classic copy-paste dance with your article: Seal the deal with a click on the submit button.
Make this a daily groove, and voila!
Just five minutes a day, tops, for these mighty media maneuvers.
Think of it like planting seeds every day. Patience is key here — Rome wasn’t built in a day, right? Those seeds need time to sprout.
Search engines need their beauty sleep, too. They might take a few weeks to show off your link to the world. Keep calm and carry on.
Tip 3 — Connect the Dots to Connect with Others
Thread your stories with links and tags that matter. Every tale you spin should be like a treasure map guiding readers to your writing sanctuaries.
Imagine it as your writer’s roadmap. All the pit stops — your blogs, newsletters, and content corners are marked out for the world to explore.
Each story is a meaningful marker on that map. It’s like planting a secret backlink treasure in each tale rooted in the digital space. Why?
Because more backlinks mean more love from search engines. It’s like your content gets a shiny gold star. Consider it an investment that grows over time, like compound interest for your stories.
When sharing your work, also remember to meaningfully share others to create more serendipity. The more you give, the more your receive.
Wrapping Up: Your Social Media Success Story
So, let’s sum it up. Social media isn’t just for cat videos and food pics — it’s a writer’s secret weapon if wielded wisely.
We’re on a mission here: making us visible to the world through a little something called serendipity. Think of it as planting seeds for your future readers. You sow now, and you’ll reap later. Serendipity can create synergy.
With just a tiny investment of your time, like six minutes a day, you can set off a chain reaction of benefits that will keep on giving.
And I’m not leaving you in the dark — I’ve dished out some handy tips and even provided links to kickstart your social media journey.
You can contact me when you need guidance and amplification of your important stories. I have several platforms to amplify your voices.
So, let’s keep the connection alive, invest a smidge of time, and watch our readership grow. After all, writing is your main gig — everything else is just garnish.
Social media is good, but creating your mailing lists and distributing your newsletters is much more productive and sustainable for your growth as a writer, blogger, or editor. I provided a comprehensive guide in the attached story.
I created a large Slack group for ILLUMINATION writers. If you are a new writer, you may join and start your mailing list and newsletter today. If you get stuck, contact me on Slack. I will guide you. It is free and moderated, open to all ethical writers who want to collaborate meaningfully.
I created a channel for specifically promoting newsletters and mailing lists. This central channel can create visibility and help you gain new subscribers. If you are a member, you can join #mailinglists-and-newsletters and start collaborating. You may also review an email marketing tool called Cliqly, introduced by Aiden recently.
I explained why creating an audience for new writers is hard and how to crush challenges in seven steps.
You may check out my thoughts on creative non-fiction writing. Do you want to write content to generate steady income? Do you want your stories to be boosted? If you have writer’s block, check this out. If you feel stressed and facing burnout, here is guidance.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
You may find more optimistic and empowering stories like these on EUPHORIA, where I share my insights and life lessons. My focus is on cellular, mitochondrial, metabolic, and mental health + JOY. Here is my collection of Insightful Life Lessons from Personal Stories.
Disclaimer: My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experience, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.
You are welcome to join my publications on Medium as a writer by sending a request via this link. 24K writers contribute to my publications.
