Back in the day, promoting ideas, products, and services was pretty straightforward--billboards, radio, TV ads. The reach was limited, but at least the landscape was clear. Now, in theory, we have a wider reach, but in practice? We’re often lost in a sea of messages, competing with the power of paid visibility. The game is more complex--both in crafting effective communication and in managing the sheer cost of staying visible.
In the digital writing workshops I facilitate with university students and industry professionals, these concerns come up again and again. How do we make meaningful connections in this environment?
Here, I’d like to share a few insights from our discussions on navigating the social media maze:
1️⃣ Be Consistent. Not just in how often you post, but in what you say and how you say it. Your messaging should align with both your long-term goals and what you truly believe in. If your words and actions don’t match, people notice.
2️⃣ Be Authentic. It’s tempting to chase trends for visibility, but authenticity is what builds trust and lasting connections. People connect with real voices, not just polished branding.
3️⃣ Look Around. Focus on genuine relationships with a specific audience rather than trying to please everyone. Numbers don’t always equate to value--money may follow attention, but fulfillment comes from meaningful connections. Plenty of wealthy people have proven that material success alone doesn’t guarantee happiness.
4️⃣ Be Ethical & Responsible. In the long run, integrity wins. Trust is hard to gain and easy to lose. Flexibility and calculated risks are necessary, but some boundaries should never be crossed. Once credibility is gone, even financial success can start slipping away.
The digital world keeps evolving, but at its core, human connection still matters most.
In the digital writing workshops I facilitate with university students and industry professionals, these concerns come up again and again. How do we make meaningful connections in this environment?
Here, I’d like to share a few insights from our discussions on navigating the social media maze:
1️⃣ Be Consistent. Not just in how often you post, but in what you say and how you say it. Your messaging should align with both your long-term goals and what you truly believe in. If your words and actions don’t match, people notice.
2️⃣ Be Authentic. It’s tempting to chase trends for visibility, but authenticity is what builds trust and lasting connections. People connect with real voices, not just polished branding.
3️⃣ Look Around. Focus on genuine relationships with a specific audience rather than trying to please everyone. Numbers don’t always equate to value--money may follow attention, but fulfillment comes from meaningful connections. Plenty of wealthy people have proven that material success alone doesn’t guarantee happiness.
4️⃣ Be Ethical & Responsible. In the long run, integrity wins. Trust is hard to gain and easy to lose. Flexibility and calculated risks are necessary, but some boundaries should never be crossed. Once credibility is gone, even financial success can start slipping away.
The digital world keeps evolving, but at its core, human connection still matters most.
