“Friends, Share My Content!” or dont.

I know what the issue was. I don’t like to market myself. I have been studying marketing since I was in high school. The jargon is familiar to me, The methods are familiar to me, and marketing someone else is familiar. But, as a creative in the age of digital marketing on 1000 and social media ads 24 seven, I don’t like to market myself. I am slightly apprehensive. Much to my fault, I believe that my audience will find me. Even though I know that they can’t find me if I’m not yelling out into the digital wind.

Initially, I thought if I ask my friends and family to share and subscribe to my contacts, that would work. However, deep down inside I know that they are not my tribe. My friends and family have various opinions that do not necessarily rock with everything I say. So here I am, four years down the road, constant stolen by creators with larger platforms, and so many pitfalls seeking marketing options.

My content does not involve pictures of me in bikinis screaming body positivity or The most trendyTickTock videos. Why can’t you be substantive, educational, and delightful? I say “delightful“ with hesitation. Not everyone wants to mesh black feminism and wellness together. But I do.

The great Issa Rae tells creators that we should work horizontally with the people who are around us. However, what if the people around you don’t believe in your work? The obvious solution is to find people to work with. However, what if those people see you as a threat or blatantly plagiarize your ideas and work? Then what?