I love gossip (that's not about me)
Do you feel like your favorite influencers “owe” you intimate details about their lives?
I love gossip. I really do. I’m always the first person to ask for the tea. And as a consumer of content, I find it fascinating to hear intimate details about stranger’s lives on the internet. It’s usually low-stakes reality tv-style drama, but I live for it.
In the past few months my social media platform has grown to a point where I’m finding myself on the other side of it. And let me tell you what, it’s a weird place to be.
Recently I grabbed dinner with a former coworker and she said something I haven’t been able to stop thinking about:
“You know, it’s really noticeable you don’t share that much personal information online. All of the influencers I follow post everything about their lives. Why don’t you?
Wait, does everyone have that kind of expectation of me? Am I now one of those influencers? At the end of the day, I feel like I’m still just a normal girl. I don’t have a manager or anything, I’m not getting invited to crazy events or brand trips. I spend most of my time at home on my phone.
When I first started posting on TikTok in 2021, I shared a lot I probably shouldn’t have. I talked about my job, family, friends, etc. There wasn’t much that was off limits. Some people may say I shared too much. It was all fun and games until a stranger made a rude, assumptive comment about my mom - then I stopped. I signed up for the criticism, not my mom.
As my platform has grown over the past year, I struggle with the idea that to be a “successful" creator, you have to keep a pretty thin veil. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my favorite TikTokers openly share their relationships, breakups, family drama, etc. I always took the gossip for granted but now that I’m suddenly finding myself on the other side of it, I give them so much credit. I’ve always been guarded about sharing personal details even in real life. Imagine millions of strangers knowing the intimate details of your divorce! Horrifying!
My plan for the new apartment is to start posting more about my day-to-day life, which is scary and exciting at the same time. I love my “real” life and everyone in it and I want to protect them from some of the downright mean people of the internet. But as time goes on, I feel a genuine closeness to everyone in my online community and want to openly share my life with you all.
So I’m genuinely curious, what do you expect from the creators you follow? Do you want to be completely immersed in their lives? Do you only want to see shopping hauls? Strictly home decor? Is it different for every person?
See ya next week, from a new apartment!
Chelsea
Song of the Week:
While I also enjoy "the tea", I respect when people want to keep certain aspects of their lives private. I don't share a lot about my life on social media, so I understand the reservations. I don't think being a social media influence means you're required to either, do what makes you comfortable.
I don’t expect personal information! You can keep on with what got you the success you’ve already achieved, as far as I’m concerned. I would be hesitant to share too much as well. All the best, Chelsea!