💥 Quality vs. Quantity: What Wins on Social Media?
And do people even care?
As someone who has never been to New Jersey…
This TikTok makes me want to go to New Jersey.
💥 What’s Trending - Latest Trends on TikTok & IG
Made for Me
You can totally use this sound more seriously to make a sweet, sentimental TikTok, sharing how much you love your friend/parnter/kid, but I also think it would be fun to use this sound to talk about something you love that’s related to your niche (your computer, your fav desk chair, your best coffee mug, etc.).
Link to the soundWe’re Focused
This is a great up-beat sound to use over anything, tbh. Show off something you’ve achieved, share a quote, or use it to work towards a goal!
Link to the audioI Just Flipped a Switch
Use this one to teach your audience something, or talk about something you’re passionate about.
Link to the audio
🛠 Handy Dandy Tools
Link in bio: A minimalistic page with no limit on how many links you add. Free to use. Grab your Sharrings link here.
Podcasting: Display podcast widgets (think 'related posts') on your site with a little AI help. Use Disco by Headliner free here.
Video: This is worth watching the demo! Create videos with your phone and add zoom, pan, multi-cam, and wide shots all in the editor! Try roll.ai free here today.
Canva & Notion: If you create Notion templates, this Canva set of mockup templates will help you sell them. Get Canva Mockup Templates for Notion here (there's a free option).
🏆 Curated Picks
Backlinks Still Matter: How to Earn Them Organically with Quality Content
So, Google's Search team insists that backlinks no longer hold much sway in rankings, but let's be real – the situation is far from that simple.
The secret lies in crafting content that truly resonates.
Quality content isn't just about word count or fancy vocabulary; it's about relevance, clarity, engagement, and delivering real value. From understanding search intent to providing high-impact content, these are the building blocks of linkable content.
But that's not all; there are proven strategies like influencer outreach, data-driven research, and smart promotion that can help you earn those backlinks organically.
Want to learn how to create content that naturally attracts backlinks? Check out the full article for all the juicy details!
Mastering TikTok Views: Metrics for Stardom
Understanding what counts as a view on TikTok is essential for anyone aiming to make waves on the platform. It's like deciphering the secret code to TikTok success.
In this article, you’ll learn about TikTok's view metrics, shedding light on what really matters. Getting into the nitty-gritty of view classification, it will allow you to navigate the TikTok landscape like a pro.
But that's not all - there are six great strategies to boost your TikTok this year.
So, if you're ready to embark on a journey to TikTok stardom, click here to make it happen!
4 Secrets to Getting Over the Fear of Creating Content
Let's talk about something we've all encountered at some point on this creative journey: fear and anxiety.
It's perfectly normal to have doubts, whether it's about your writing skills, your video scripts, or just putting yourself out there.
In this article, one creators who has been at it for over 3 years spill the beans on four secrets that have helped them overcome these fears and grow their audience.
They discuss doing what you love, changing your mindset, embracing gratitude, and the power of honesty.
These tips can make a real difference in your content creation game.
So click here to learn how to let go of any lingering fear/anxiety related to creating content.
🤖 AI For Creators
According to MIT, AI won’t be replacing your job any time soon. Why? Because it’s still too expensive.
Google is bringing AI to Chrome! Learn more about what it will look like here.
Here are 7 words that make it obvious a piece of writing was created by AI.
☀️ It’s Saturday morning and the sun is shining
🔍 Try this: Content Tips & Suggestions from Other Creators
Why you need to be repeating yourself on social media and how it will help grow your audience, engagement, and get you the results you want.
A big list of February content ideas! Steal ‘em.
This creator goes over why your comment section is empty and how to get your audience to engage more with you.
I saw that Canva added a bunch of apps to their platform last year but I haven’t played around with them yet. Here’s a highlight of a few of them and how you can use them!
🌟 Creator Spotlight
Damon Dominique Talks Meaningful Content and Finding Fulfillment as a Creator
One of my favorite creators, Damon Dominique, posted again after a 7-month hiatus and boy was this video thought-provoking!
It's like he's been quietly observing the madness of the social media world and has come back loaded with some real talk.
Damon's latest video isn't just another travel vlog or a casual update; it's a deep dive into what's really going on in the social media scene.
He's tackling big questions about what success looks like online these days. You know, it's not just about racking up likes or watching your follower count tick upwards.
He gets into the nitty-gritty of what it means to create content that genuinely connects with people – stuff that makes you think, laugh, and maybe even see the world a little differently.
What I love about Damon's approach is that he doesn't just scratch the surface. He really gets you thinking about the 'why' behind what we all do as creators or even as casual scrollers.
He's like that friend who, after a long time away, comes back with all these stories and insights that just kind of stick with you.
It's refreshing, honestly.
In an era where everyone's chasing the next viral trend, Damon's stepping back and asking, "Hey, is this actually fulfilling?"
His video is a reminder to all of us, whether we're creators or just part of the audience, to rethink why we're so glued to these platforms and what we're really gaining from it.
So let’s get into it!
The Evolution of Content
One significant challenge he addresses is the context conundrum in short-form content.
His experience with a viral Instagram reel about olive oil in an Airbnb reveals how these engaging, brief snippets can often lead to misunderstandings and superficial judgments.
It's like you're trying to tell a joke, but half the room only catches the punchline.
This really brings up a big point for anyone making content these days. When you're working with something like a quick TikTok or an Instagram reel, you've got to juggle being brief with making sure you're not losing your message in translation.
You've got to keep it snappy and entertaining, but you also need to make sure your audience gets the full picture. Creators must decide which elements to include and which to omit, ensuring that each piece of content, though brief, is still rich in meaning and clarity.
For creators (who want to engage with and create short-form content), this presents an opportunity to innovate within the limitations of short-form platforms.
It involves a deep understanding of their audience and the platform's nuances, using every tool at their disposal – be it visual cues, clear text, or the video's tone – to convey a story that is both engaging and clear.
It's a delicate art to tell a story that is both concise and complete, especially when each post can potentially go over people’s heads - because of course they do! How can a creator add enough nuance to a 30 second video?!
What Success Means Online
The way social media algorithms work these days, it's like they're cheering for quantity over quality.
The more you post, the happier the algorithm is. It's kind of like feeding a never-ending beast – the more content you churn out, the more visibility you might get.
But here's the thing – and it's a big 'but' – is that really the best way to go about it?
Sure, playing by the algorithm's rules might get you more views or likes in the short term, but what about the content itself?
We've all seen those creators who post like a dozen times a day, and sure, some of their stuff is kind of funny or kind of interesting, but it's like fast food for your brain – it fills you up, but it doesn't really satisfy.
This is the crux of the issue for creators.
How do you balance what the algorithm wants (which is basically for you to live on your phone and post non-stop) with creating content that's actually good, content that you're proud of?
You want to grow your channel or your profile, but you also want to create videos or posts that mean something to you and your audience.
Do you go with the flow and post content all the time, hoping to stay on the algorithm's good side? Or do you take a step back, post less often, but make sure each piece of content is a little gem?
There's no easy answer, but it's something worth pondering, especially for creators who care about the impact of their work.
Maybe it's about finding a middle ground – posting regularly but not excessively, and focusing on quality when you do.
Or maybe it's about being okay with not being the algorithm's favorite but knowing that your content is truly adding value.
How do you strike that balance between keeping the algorithm happy and staying true to your craft? It's one of those things that makes being a content creator in this digital age both challenging and exciting.
Some Food for Thought
In the end, making your audience happy is great and all, but that's not the whole story of being successful online.
It's about getting joy and fulfillment from what you're creating. If you're just cranking out stuff that the algorithm loves but isn't really 'you,' it's kind of missing the point.
Damon himself kind of shifted gears in his career, moving from chasing the traditional TV dream to rocking his brand on social media.
It's a cool reminder for all of us trying to make our mark online – sometimes the best path isn't the traditional one. It's about carving out your own space, doing your thing, and finding new ways to shine.
He's also big on keeping things real and honest in his content.
In a world where clickbait is everywhere, staying true to your style and message is a breath of fresh air. It's like saying, "Hey, I respect you, the viewer, enough to give you something genuine."
It's about more than just likes or views; create something you're proud of, something that's true to you.
Keep it real, stay flexible, and remember why you started in the first place.
And watch Damon’s video for more about all of this. It’s really worth a watch.
I’ve already sent it to a few friends requesting they watch it so we can talk more about this.
Have a Creator Spotlight idea or request?
♥️ Do Some Good
Call for a Cease Fire
“With every passing day, hour, and minute, the Israeli military is making good on its promise to ‘open the gates of hell’ on the 2 million Palestinians trapped under Israeli siege in Gaza.
The loss of life over the last month has been staggering — almost too big to hold. But we must act now, because the Israeli government is plowing forward toward a fully genocidal attack on Palestinians in Gaza. We must demand a ceasefire now.”
Call your member of Congress now and ask them to join these strong anti-war voices calling for a ceasefire.
Click the button below for more info from Jewish Voices for Peace.
Calling will only take a few moments and it can make a difference.
💭 Final thoughts
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: it’s a movie winter.
There are so many great movies out and they’re just gonna keep coming!
I think Argylle will so much fun, Bob Marley: One Love is lookin’ like it’ll be a solid biopic, love the cast of Drive-Away Dolls already, and Lisa Frankenstein (!!) (written by Diablo Cody who also wrote Juno and Jennifer’s Body).
Go watch a movie!
See ya next week,
Brittany@Create It