Everyone asks me the same question. Here’s the answer.

Before we start: Lady Socialdown wants to hear from you! 

This is the premiere Survey of Opinion and this author asks:

Anon survey here [No email or name required]

These anonymous submissions will help Lady Socialdown craft a future edition of Unicorn Social focused on the real life testimonies from… you.

Please be truthful and thoughtful as this is juicy insight for The Social Ton Society (aka my newsletter subscribers)

XOXO Lady Socialdown

The most common questions I’ve gotten since becoming a freelance consultant has been: “Sarah, where do we start?” 

Whether it’s social strategy for a brand, agency, or even an aspiring creator. Everyone wants my insight into how to take the first step into creating social content. 

Let me let you in on my answer for all of those: 

This IG post popped up is a great reinforcement of my advice that I’ve given so many.

Is that incredibly simple? Yes. 

Is that the requirement? YES. 

Do I have to do the thing to do the thing? UH YEAHHHH DUH. 

Because this is what happens when you make it first, then make it good:  

I started with a Substack, now I’m here. With beehiiv. 

I also have a code for 30% off beehiv! Use code SARAH30

I started writing as an experiment. I made it first with no pressure on it. Why? A little voice inside telling me that I do have knowledge to share that can actually help people in ways that aren’t seen everywhere.

In a world of “How to prompt your AI” - I’m a “Here’s why ‘Yes and’ improv fundamentals are key to working in Social Media” and “Your genius is actually in your dumb.” and “Literally go offline.” That’s no shade, that’s just what I’m passionate about. And what makes my newsletter different.

I love to help people. I love to mentor young talent, eager to get experience. I love helping people secure jobs. I love encouraging more people to go with their gut. I love hearing people’s problems and help them connect dots.

So this newsletter, was my new way of putting myself out there to do the thing I wanted to do: Build a deeper community outside of an algorithm. To help fun, creative, smart people like me.

Without a signal, no one is aware of you. And there are so many ways to broadcast a signal.

Beehiiv heard my signal (through posting online, meeting the team, and sharing my vision of my own newsletter) and answered the call. Then a partnership was born.

When your signal is undeniable, the support naturally surrounds you. 

Seeing my face on Times Square was surreal. And 60 seconds was not nearly enough time to take it all in (while also creating content.) But wow, that was the power of me just doing it. 

Thanks beehiiv. Let’s keep cooking. 

A bodybuilder isn’t a bodybuilder on day one. But by Day 100? Day 200? 

You (either brand or creator) have got to get the reps in. 

Then once you’re hitting a plateau or challenge in your routine? 

You assess, optimize, and experiment. 

At one point in my creator journey… I was a cat creator. 

I also got millions of views on lip-sync hair dye videos that’d I’d shoot and edit DIRECTLY IN THE TIKTOK APP. 

I also have attempted to be a commentary Youtuber. And unboxed weird fashion. (I would love to continue doing that but weird fashion is expensive!!)

And now I’m the same but different. A content creator and Social Media Consultant that shares a wide variety of creativity across all my channels. (And I’m always gonna post whatever the hell I want)

Each of those eras served so many purpose and have always laddered up into my public creative journal and a portfolio in ways. 

I did this content while I worked at brands: Leading teams and SPOILER ALERT: The evolution revolution is exactly the same. 

And hey, you can always quit!

So you’ve done the thing and it hasn’t served the purpose you had in mind?

It’s ok to evolve to: Moving on.

Maybe it’s not getting results. Maybe you’re burned out. Maybe you’re just ready to move on. 

That’s honestly awesome too. 

Because had you not TRIED to do the thing, you would’ve never experienced a new perspective, grown new skills, challenged yourself in new ways, etc. 

Now you’re better. Smarter. Maybe with a few scars, but that’s life. 

You can’t find success without failure. And doing comes in many forms:

If you have a job: Spot the opportunities you can lean in on, tell your manager what you want to make happen and connect it to a strategic business need. Try everything, to figure out if you like it or not. Get some good stuff for your portfolio, dude.

If you’re a brand wanting to build Social: Start posting. Try different things. Learn to ask for forgiveness. Get others on board. Remember the best practices but then also f*ck the best practices. Make it work for you, your team and your skills, dude.

If you’re looking for a job: Get your resume together. Ask mutuals and friends for feedback. Pretend you’ve never seen your resume before and ask yourself: What’s their deal? Am I getting their story on this one-page? YES KEEP THE RESUME TO ONE PAGE, dude.

If you’re wanting to be a creator: Trying is doing. Posting is doing. Experimenting is doing. So do the thing, dude.

Oh, are the fears and hesitations starting to pop up in your mind? 

Lemme help you work through some of them: 

This year, I made a point to chase rejections. Inspired by the content creator that was chasing 1,000 nos. 

I got my first TV gig out of college, after sending my comedy sketch reel for a reporting host job. LOL. I ended up securing an Associate Producer role because the Executive Producer thought my reel was hilarious and attention-grabbing. He liked my audacity to put myself out there. 

Fast forward: A test segment I created ended up influencing the entire format of the TV show that ran for 11+ years.

Here’s what I’ve been rejected for this year: 

And here’s what I’ve achieved so far this year: 

And so I’ll put myself out there once more: I WANT TO SPEAK AT SXSW NEXT YEAR!

AND WE NEED YOUR VOTE!

Our panel session is called: Your Audience Isn’t A Business: How to Sell What You Know

We are 4 smart, funny, and badass Social Media experts that turned our expertise into 4 different businesses. Learn tactical tips, numbers, and takes from us.

But only if you vote here! Votes close August 23! So do it now!

Featuring: 

So moral of the story: JUST DO IT. (Shhh don’t tell the shoe brand I said it.)

See ya on the Internet,

Sarah Whittle

And please, Dearest Reader, take the Survey of Opinion! Do you like your Social Media job?

Molly Speaight is a “high definition silicone technician” and crafts these incredibly realistic prosthetics for amputees. Like WOW. This is art that helps so many people out there. I’m in awe.