How To Manage Your Social Media If You Hate Social Media

There’s a lot to dislike about social media. The constant notifications are about as helpful and no less annoying than a yappy chihuahua. Not to mention it can often seem overly curated and fake. Instagram even offers built-in filters, which in my opinion make it even less authentic. TikTok feels like YouTube for people with no attention span, yet still manages to maintain all the most irritating parts of YouTube. And Facebook? Sending people “friend” requests just feels awkward. 

But even I have to admit social media has its purpose. Through social media, I've connected with people who have become real-life friends, and I’ve gotten gigs I otherwise wouldn't have. In an increasingly digital world, social media has become a necessity for the modern musician. 

If you’re like me and dislike social media, here's how to use it without sacrificing your sanity. 

Limit your social media time. 

Don't enjoy social media? Then don't spend much time on it. Social media is like those sit-ups or crunches you know you should be doing but that aren't exactly fun. Schedule it, get it done, and then move on with your day. You’re managing not just your social media accounts, but your time and energy. Set aside 15 minutes on your calendar each week to post and reply to messages, then enjoy the rest of your week without giving Mark Zuckerberg another moment of your time. 

Or, consider hiring a virtual assistant to post on social media for you, an option that isn’t nearly as expensive as you might think. We’ll cover hiring a virtual assistant in a future blog post.

Don't play the comparison game. 

It's hard not to feel inadequate when all your Facebook friends are gigging every weekend, getting engaged, or buying houses. I've noticed that my students suffer from self-doubt and low self-esteem when they spend too much time on Instagram and TikTok. 

Remind yourself that what you see on others' Instagram or Facebook accounts isn't the full story. What you don't see in that picture of a smiling couple is the fight they had yesterday. In the same room as that perfectly organized closet is a pile of dirty clothes just outside the frame. And that clip of a violinist practicing Don Juan might have taken them fifty takes to capture. My favorite saying is this: “Don’t compare your worst to someone else’s best.”

The only way to win the comparison game is to not play. 

Post clips of your playing as well as upcoming or past performances. 

We didn’t spend years of our lives honing our craft only to never be heard. Don’t be afraid to share clips of yourself practicing or performing on social media. Contractors for gigs or potential students want to see how you play so they can hire you.

When you post clips, don’t let perfectionism hold you back. It’s ok not to be perfect. When you’re authentic both in your playing and in your life, people will see you as human. And nobody wants to work with a robot.

Connect with your "why" to avoid seeming inauthentic. 

Social media doesn’t have to be inauthentic. It can be a chance to show your friends what really matters to you. What are you passionate about? What do you value and what do you believe in? Are you a teacher because your favorite thing in the world is being a part of someone’s growth? Do you perform because you want to help others connect with the music you connect with? It takes courage to let the world see the authentic you, but it’s well worth it.

It can be hard to share parts of your life online when you're a private person. You might not feel like it's anyone's business when you experience a life change or new romantic relationship. But keep in mind that behind each account you connect with is a friend or colleague who cares about you and is genuinely interested in getting to know you. 

An account where every post is a meme doesn't give anyone a true sense of your personality or your ability as a musician. In addition to posts of me playing viola, I include pictures of the non-musical parts of my life. I've posted pictures of my family's land out in the country where I grew up. Like any proud pet parent, I post pics of my dog, Zoe. There's more to me than just the viola.

On social media and in life, be honest. Be real. Be yourself.