6 Ways to avoid being Triggered on Social Media
Social media in general can be a very noisy and chaotic environment. It doesn’t matter if you’re a teenager in high school, a young adult checking out and nosying at what everyone else is doing, or a photographer trying to run a business……the noise can be deafening. Not only do you get to see a different side to humans, you also get to see post that unnerve you, trigger you and even derail you when you’re trying your hardest to run your business.
It’s estimated that the average person spends 1½ to 2 hours per day on social media. And approx 80% of that time can be mindless scrolling. That’s bonkers right?! When you add up all that time, think of what else you could be doing that’s more productive…? The truth is, too much time is spent and wasted on social media, and it’s usually for fear of missing out (FOMO).
If your ideal client hangs out on social media (which is highly likely!), then that is where you need to position yourself, and by positioning yourself in front of them, this means social media platforms are now your place of work. And in your place of work, you need to feel good about yourself and feel good about your business.
While you might be feeling vulnerable in the early stages of your photography business, it’s easy to be triggered by another person’s posts, and you need take action to avoid being triggered.
It’s important to acknowledge your triggers and be mindful of the emotions that are stirred up in you. For example
Jealousy
Inferiority complex
Comparisonitis
Resentment
Feeling left out
These feelings are very personal (you might even feel ashamed of them), but you are not alone. This happens to so many photographers starting out. We just don’t talk about it.
Triggers are your emotional responses and might be responses to things like:
Looking at a user’s posts and thinking they are better than you, and you feel inferior
Thinking a particular user is not as good and you’re feeling resentful of their following and engagement
Someone you know appears to be doing well or better than you, and there’s a pang of jealousy
Believing someone is stalking and copying you, so you watch their every move
Checking your own follows, likes and comments constantly against someone else’s
So how can you avoid emotional triggers on social media?
#1 If you must go on social media (and you will for your business), time block this activity. Set a time each day or every other day to go on social media, check for any comments you might need to answer on your business pages, and then remove yourself. Likewise, time block your activity on your personal account(s). Spend the minimum amount of time in there and then get out.
#2 If a particular person on social media triggers you with any emotional responses which don’t serve you, consider unfollowing that person. It’s not a bad thing to unfollow, and they won’t be notified. It’s essential that you feel good about yourself on social media because technically, this is your place of work.
#3 To limit your time and frequency on social media, consider batching and scheduling your social media posts.
#4 An alternative to unfollowing someone on social media, might be to open communication with them and build up a rapport. You never know, they might eventually inspire you if they are the model of someone you want to be like.
#5 Unpick any feelings of jealousy, resentment, feeling left out, etc., and establish how much truth lies in these emotions. For instance, although you may feel jealous, is there really anything to feel jealous about? Doing this exercise may turn things around for you so that instead of jealously, you might be happy for this person who appears to be doing so well. You might find inspiration.
#6 Be around other photographers and people who believe in you, who support you and cheerlead you.
You’ve got this, don’t stop believing.
If you want to join my community of photographers who will support you JOIN HERE, or if you want help growing your business, join the CLICKSTART® 4 MEMBERSHIP along with photographers who are truly invested in the growth of their businesses, who support and cheer each other on.
Until next time. Dee x