Unlock the Power of Social Media: Lurking Won’t Get You Ahead
Leave this habit in the past if you are trying to find success
I was surprised to find out that per LinkedIn, up to 90% of social media users are lurkers.
A social media lurker is someone who’s active on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, but instead of participating or engaging with others, they just consume information and scroll through their content feeds. Source: Everyonesocial Blog
I used to be one of them, staying invisible and simply scrolling through my feeds without engaging.
After some self-reflection and practicing my creative skills, I realized that lurking was not benefiting me or anyone else. Let me share with you why you should break free from lurking and how you can do it too.
The Problem
What’s the problem with Lurking? They’re not bothering anyone.
If you don’t have any goals to grow, learn, or build content online then by all means, keep lurking. By actually being social on social media you can rapidly establish yourself in your niche.
This is especially true for creatives and writers. Let me explain.
We consume hoards of content, media, and text every day. The more you see, the more your subconscious reacts. You move on without giving anything a second thought. Or, even worse, you have a strong opinion but you continue to scroll through. When we do this, we leave our brains to ruminate without any liberation.
At the very least, you can take a moment to respond or journal about some tweets, topics, or stories you come across. This is a release for our brains as a creative outlet.
Science confirms what we already know — creative outlets are good for us. Research has shown that partaking in creative outlets creates stronger social relationships, reduces stress, and allows us to develop a deeper appreciation for the world around us. -Jenna Baskin of MCI Wellbeing Blog
What else could prevent you from participating on social media? Social Anxiety. I am empathetic toward this thought.
I used to get cold sweats when I had to give presentations. My history teacher asked me if I was ok, with a look like he thought I was on drugs. I might leave a party early simply because I was overwhelmed by people. Sitting behind a screen is quite different, but the same thoughts arise.
What will my friends think?
I don’t have enough followers, no one will engage with me anyways.
I don’t have anything meaningful to say.
These people are way more charismatic than I am.
Cancel these thoughts. The average social media user’s attention span is void. Many scholarly articles show the average attention span on social media is 8 seconds or less — that’s less than that of a goldfish. Stop thinking that everyone will sit around and analyze your words. They will either engage or forget about it within seconds.
This, however, is a double-edged sword. How do I make myself stand out in a sea of content? This is part of the fun, and it takes time to master. You can’t get there without starting. It can present opportunities to get creative and test different ways to engage with others. Double down on the methods that work, and forget about the ones that don’t. Keep reading for specific advice.
Leading by Example
Embodying the social aspect of social media provides ample opportunity to be viewed as a leader. When others see you as an active & positive social pillar in the community, they will be more open to engaging with you. This has a snowball effect.
The true power of social media is its ability to reach a vast audience in a matter of seconds. One person’s engagement with a post or content can quickly snowball into something much bigger. As they engage with a post, their friends and followers are more likely to see it, and if they engage with it, their friends and followers will see it too.
You are only a tweet, article, or post away from changing your life.
Networking
Networking is a crucial piece of the pie that should not be overlooked.
After following and studying many leading voices on Twitter and YouTube, I’ve noticed many of them tell stories of meeting partners & clients through their network. Sometimes it’s in person, but I’d argue more often than not it’s online. Building relationships and connecting with like-minded individuals can lead to a world of opportunities, from career advancements to creative collaborations.
Here are some tips to start Networking like a pro:
- Be genuine with your interactions. Stick to what you know or wish to know. For what you know, you can provide insights and ideas. You can ask questions and participate in conversations about what you don’t know.
- Generate interest in yourself by showing interest in others. Maybe DM them with a screenshot of their content and say “Hey this really resonated with me, it led me to do XYZ. Thank you for this!” or leave a comment on their article to the same effect.
- Focus on building a real connection with someone over a topic you both enjoy. Don’t focus on accumulating a large number of followers or connections. It’s not about self-promotion, it’s about creating a community. Foster these communities by providing value & connection, no matter how small.
- My personal favorite, send interesting articles or links directly to people. “Hey, I read this and thought of you. Here you go”. Do this multiple times. It is endearing, not annoying.
Conclusion
When you’re on social media, you can either be a lurker or an active participant. Lurkers are people who just read and never engage or post anything. Being a lurker doesn’t help you much if you want to learn, grow, or share your ideas. Engaging with others on social media can help you establish yourself in your niche and improve your creativity. It also creates stronger social relationships, reduces stress, and may give you greater purpose.
Even if you feel anxious about engaging, don’t forget the average attention span on social media is less than 8 seconds. Put yourself out there and keep marching on. By being a positive social pillar in the community, you can lead by example and attract more engagement. Hopefully, this will lead to networking opportunities that can advance your career and creative collaborations.
Best of luck out there.
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