WEEK 35 - what does it mean to show up authentically online?
Most of the stuff we put on social media is a how-to or an answer, or some other thing that positions us as knowledgeable, even expert. And that’s cool because content like that is a solid way to contribute to your community and bring value to your audience.
But I think asking open-ended questions and wondering about stuff is a fundamental skill (practice? thing? haha) for creatives. So we should also be spending some significant time and energy asking questions and wondering “out loud” on social media and other online spaces without providing answers.
My “wondering” example: What does it mean to show up authentically (online)?
My freelance business began with a focus on lettering, and in recent years I’ve expanded to other interests like crafts and culinary stuff. The “authenticity” of my content feels more complex to me now that my brand identity & business offerings are more complex.
And that has me thinking about other areas of my life that I haven’t ever shared, and considering whether (or how) I should.
There are big, important chunks of my life and interests that I have been quiet about on social media, probably from abiding by the ‘pick a niche!’ advice most of us gobbled up in the early 2010’s.
Nowadays, I’ve been wondering: Does showing up authentically online mean sharing more of my life/interests? And if I did, which ones? And what would that look like? And how might that impact my business?
There’s no easy answer to these questions. In fact, wondering about stuff is an ongoing process and it can kind of grow and morph depending on who I’m talking to, what I’m listening to, my lived experiences, etc…
I don’t have answers for this and that’s the point.
The sheer act of asking questions, of wondering about something and noodling on all the possibilities - that’s some magic right there.
Your assignment: Create art about something you’ve been wondering about lately.
Thought starters: There are usually lots of questions involved in wondering. If you start this assignment without a clear idea of the “big picture” question, try creating a list of all the questions that seem related and use that to spot a common theme.
Alternately, if you’re really sure about your “big question,” spend some time teasing out the related questions. Dig into that subject and really consider all the possible angles, objections, complications, pros, cons, and everything in between.
Caption ideas: If you can, provide some context. Explain where you’re coming from, what kinds of ideas are complicating your thoughts, why this subject is important to you, etc…
It’s humanizing to know that we are all unsure of things and consistently working through our own stuff. Ask your audience how they relate to your question(s). Better yet, invite them to use the comments as a place to “wonder out loud” with their own questions!
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Don’t forget to tag me @homsweethom and use the #HOMwork & #HOMwork2021 hashtag when you post on Instagram. I love looking through your excellent creations and sharing a few of my favs every week in my IG Stories before the next assignment is posted..
x Lauren
P.S. Are you registered to see me speak at Adobe MAX yet? It’s a free, virtual conference happening 10/26-10/28. Come see me present on a JUICY topic for all you freelancers: diversifying your income streams (aka finding more ways for your business to make money outside of client work). Click here to register! #AdobePartner
