I was queuing the other day and overheard two women talking about CELTA, so I chimed in: “I did CELTA too.” We ended up chatting about teaching English and where to find students.
I asked, “Do you post much on social media?”
She replied, “Oh, I understand social media just fine, but I never post. My LinkedIn is all industry news—putting my own stuff out there feels awkward.”
The more I use social platforms, the more “social” and “media” blur together. When Facebook and YouTube were new, everyone posted glossy photos or quirky videos because novelty chased likes. Today it’s different.
In real life, who wants to hang out with someone who only flexes: “Look how good I look, check out my house, guess where I went?” Sure, friends trade stories about trips and food, but relationships aren’t a bragging contest.
We gravitate toward people who help us somehow—and we help them back. You work at a big corporation? I want to hear about the culture and how to land a great role. You travel constantly? I want tips on doing it affordably and finding local gems.
So when you “play” on social media, treat it like the real society it mirrors. Everyone has stories, lessons, and perspectives worth sharing.
I told her, “When you talk to me, you help one person. If you post it online, thousands can see it at once. Isn’t that at least a few hundred people helped?”
I do love a compliment, so hearing her laugh and say, “We’ve only chatted a few minutes and you’ve already taught me two useful things,” made my day. (The other tip was how to hide that awkward “LinkedIn Premium” badge.)
Honestly, I believe everyone has something fascinating to tell. If we met, I could listen all day. Don’t be shy—write it down so I and everyone else can read it. And if this nudges you to publish your first post—or your hundredth—tag me so we can celebrate together!