I disappeared from social media for two years. This is what it meant for my photography business:
I want to preface this blog by saying there were a number of reasons why I left social media for over 24 months, not all of which I will delve into here because, why? your. whole. life. does. not. need. to. be. on. the. internet.
I will, however, talk about ones that are relevant and will benefit you, dearest reader.
This blog will go into the reasons (you might have some of these, too) , the impact and the outcome of not using social media.
The reason for quitting social media.
Reason One:
My health took a nose dive into the pits of Tartarus of which Hades himself wanted nothing to do with it. I was placed on a four year waiting list, after waiting for over 6 months to get an appointment in the first place. During that time, it started getting progressively worse until I had to stop doing my passion, birth photography, and eventually most shoots entirely. It also meant that I didn’t have much energy, and I started to look sicker, which meant I didn’t want to be seen.
Reason Two:
Social media was ruining my mental health. I ended up getting obsessed with it and it was, to be blunt, ruining my life. Now I’m back to business, I have to be really careful about how much time I spend on it because I get obsessed. It’s sadly the new norm, and it’s tragic for mental health and also the mental health and body image of the younger generation. Wait, I’m going off track (slightly). Also, comparison is the thief of joy, if you needed to hear that.
The impact of not using social media.
Point One:
It was hard at the start, as with any dopamine addiction, but eventually my brain stopped chasing the FALSE dopamine and my mental health improved. Significantly. I still did wonder in the back of my mind if using SM would have helped my business but also made me realise I was focusing too much on one avenue of getting my work out there.
Point Two:
Leading from point one, I realised how heavily I’d been relying on SM for enquiries and how I’d been neglecting other avenues of potential customers. Imagine one day if Instagram or TikTok disappeared. What would you do then? The best way to have an audience that belongs to you is email marketing. You own your website and your domain.
Point Three:
Leading from point two, I realised the power of word of mouth. I was very fortunate that before I came off social media (and it became this big awful, consuming gremlin), I had built up quite a substantial community and knew my work and trusted my business. I had worked with a lot of families through wedding photography, birth stories, newborn shoots, maternity, you name it, that word of mouth really became my only organic source of new bookings. Of course my account was still active, so people could find me and see my account, but it would have been months, then years before a new post came out. Eventually that tapered off, and so did my enquiries, photography or mentorship. That was really tough.
The outcome of what I learned by not using social media for two years.
Point One:
Broadening my marketing was a game changer in how productive I felt and how much I considered I was contributing towards my business. Before I felt like the ONLY thing I could do to find clients was post on Instagram. While it was good at finding some, not everybody is on there. Collecting emails for your own email list is SO important. And before you think in that lovely mind of yours, ‘I have nothing to say, there’s no point in an email list for my photography business’, that is simply not the case. Prioritise blogging once a week (sessions, advice, things you think will help your audience) and do a weekly email blast. It’ll help your SEO massively and get you working towards contributing to your business rather than scrolling. This way, you have a very full, lovely website, filled with portfolio and material and that you are proud for your potential clients to see.
Point Two:
Life is better away from the black mirror rectangle in your palm. Look up. You’re a creative. Go look at the world and see what it’s got to offer and inspire. If you’re feeling in a creative funk, it’s likely that you are over consuming media and ideas and need to sit down with pen and paper and simply plan. You don’t need a client to create. If anything, creating leads to more clients. You’ll feel more inspired, your website will look wonderful and full and your audience will see that.
Point Three:
I didn’t go back on until I was ready. I’m still finding myself scrolling and have to stop myself, and I get the itch to do it, but instead of being angry at my brain, I need to take care of it. I feel better now, ready to show up (because you’ve got to show up to show up!) and not afraid for people to see me (much!). But there is so much fun and joy and beauty (and income) on the other side of fear.
I didn’t believe the people telling me at the time, but life IS better outside of social media. Work undoubtedly is more frequent because of it, but there are ways to show up online without living there.
If you are struggling with the same or your own (or both!) predicament I was in (and still struggle with sometimes), then book a 1:1 session so we can figure out how to get your business running without you obsessing over your phone.
Warmest wishes, kindest regards,
