Building a business on social media is fraught with uncertainty. One of the first concerns is whether or not you will be able to draw an audience. Then there’s the issue of how you’ll handle any unpleasant comments you might get.
Even if you have 10,000 followers, you might be unsure if you have what it takes to reach a million.
Bethany Mota has nearly ten million YouTube subscribers, yet she still has concerns. One of them was launching her jewellery line, Atom&Matter, after a decade of being on YouTube. However, she eventually found the guts to convert her vision into a successful business.
Mota talks with SUCCESS People Editor Tristan Ahumada on what it takes to build a long career online in this episode of Brilliant Thoughts. Emotional intelligence is a significant aspect.
Related: Bethany Mota’s Journey to Intent Entrepreneurship: From Youtuber to Intent Entrepreneur
Rule No. 1: Don’t Base Your Self-Worth On The Opinions Of Others.
Mota was ecstatic when she received her first hate comment.
It signified that people were starting to care about what she had to say. She considers receiving those comments, no matter how hurtful, to be a cool badge of honour.
The only problem was that the hatred never stopped. It was especially difficult when viewers mocked her anxieties, whether on purpose or not.
“Whenever hate remarks reflect something you already believe,” she explains, “it stings a lot more because you already believe it.” “It was difficult to come to grips with the fact that individuals I’d never met had the opportunity to say things about me and make unpleasant assumptions.
Mota was able to overcome her adversity by honing her emotional intelligence. Here are some of her tips for prospective content creators.
Related: How 3 ladies ‘Black Angels’ Are Bridging the Racist Shortfall
Rule No. 1: Don’t Be Swayed By Other People’s Opinions.
Protect your self-worth from the debilitating lows and exhilarating highs, whether you get praise or criticism. Exist somewhere in the centre. Make the decision to be happy.
It is a decision to feed into internet negativity; you can always choose something better.
Continue on your true course. On the internet, there’s a lot of pressure to be the best teacher, entertainer, or influencer. It’s simple to relieve that stress: don’t compare yourself to others.
Related: The top E-Commerce Books for New Entrepreneurs
Rule No. 2: Accept That Self-Doubt Is a Universal Emotion.
It sounds strange to normalise self-doubt. Even in practice, it feels odd. Few people are accustomed to accepting people, situations, or experiences that make them uncomfortable. Even if peace lies beyond such worries, the risk appears to be too great.
“I’ve found that paying attention to when the dread arises may often help me steer and figure out where I’m supposed to go,” Mota explains. “It’s about not being terrified of fear and avoiding fear.” But figuring out why I’m afraid and using that information to guide [my actions].” Assume you have a 50,000-subscriber YouTube channel.
If you’re afraid of disappointing them—which could mean not posting three films every week—you’ll doubt yourself. You mistrust your capacity to generate fewer videos while still maintaining an audience, despite the fact that many creators have done so.
In these instances, consider why you are feeling the way you are.
In the case described above, you may feel that your workload and posting schedule are incompatible. Or that the audience is incapable of comprehending your predicament. The only way to know is to confront your anxieties. Be open and honest with your neighbours about what’s going on. Whether the response is positive or negative, having a firm explanation reduces the desire to ruminate.
Rule No. 3: Nobody Creates a Social Media Pause.
It’s fine to take a break as a content creator, no matter what anyone thinks. Although the internet may never slow down, you will. That’s something Mota has learned many times when new goals (such as starting a company) have taken precedence in her life.
“I kind of took a step back from social media for the first half of constructing [Atom&Matter] so I could just tune in with it,” she explains. “Every day was simply breathing the brand and wanting to feel great about everything, even the [company’s] message,” she says.
Many online producers would argue that taking a break is impossible. But, according to Mota, this isn’t the case. In your absence, you can schedule pre-made material or take microbreaks that viewers are less likely to notice. In any case, your health must come first.