In Social Media, Do Our Vulnerabilities Make Us Stronger?

Rachel Thompson

Author • Poet • Advocate

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In Social Media, Do Our Vulnerabilities Make Us Stronger?

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In Social Media, Do Our Vulnerabilities Make Us Stronger?

 

I read an article recently that discussed how our vulnerabilities create connections to others on social media.

Via free Google Images

 

If you’ve read either of my books, A Walk In The Snark (free now through Monday October 15, 2012, at midnight),or Mancode: Exposed, you’ll know that I’m a proponent of laying myself bare. In my upcoming work, Broken Pieces (not humor this time), I discuss the real-life experiences that form many of us, particularly women: sex, love, grief, abuse, and desire.

 

Writing this book seemed a natural progression for me, so I followed that muse. I gave myself permission. Many of my stories contain universal truths for so many of us, delving into experiences I had buried or was afraid to reveal for fear of repercussion. It’s the most nervous I’ve ever felt about releasing a book.

 

But we’re discussing social media, not books.

 

In a social media setting, is revealing our most personal stories exploitive? Is sharing our hidden truths something that has no business in a business world? Is it possible to have a public and private personas separate and still be real?

 

Yes, absolutely. But what it comes down to, for me, is a question of the B word: branding.

 

My author account, RachelintheOC, is me, vodka and all. I’ve made a point of revealing personal stories because I’m a non-fiction writer. And because my books are about real-life, so is my social media presence. I share my personal opinions, editorial, and experiences.

 

On that account.

 

However, I’m also BadRedheadMedia, the chick who helps you with understanding things like branding, social media, and author platform. I discuss those topics and more on that account, across all of those particular channels (blog posts, Twitter, Facebook, G+, etc). What you won’t find are the intensely personal stories that show my, well, vulnerability.

 

So that begs the question: is there a way for businesses to show strength and vulnerability at the same time?

 

I believe so, yes. By setting the tone of your account (whether social media or blog), you control the information that others’ see about you, whether it’s well thought out or a brain dump. We generally write about what we know, or ask others to share their opinions.

 

And yet, when we see people’s responses to our work, whether in social media, blog comments, or reviews, that’s when you have to realize that you have initiated some type of reaction in people, whether positive or negative.

 

Sharing relevant, universal truths in either setting is, in my opinion (and this is my blog so I can say this), a critical component to our success. Everyone expresses some sort of opinion in their writing, as do the people who read it. Debate and discourse are at the heart of intention.

 

Ultimately, we are who we write, particularly on social. We’re naturally drawn to reading and writing about our inherent interests. We write with both conscious and subconscious leanings. We learn from each other. Social is the ultimate word of mouth, right?

 

You know me as the snarky redhead author. That’s my branding. Yet, I’ve recently and purposely changed the tone on my personal blog, to reflect the more serious stories from life, whether it’s via my own situations or the incredible guest bloggers who share their own real-life experiences.

 

I coach these writers that putting out there what has formed them shows their vulnerability, makes them real, moves us. Embracing our vulnerabilities and mistakes in a public forum is what makes us human, real, and ultimately, authentic. And yes, many times these stories are intensely personal and difficult for them to write – and for us to read.

 

Vulnerability is how we connect to others, in real life or online. Each of us is different, yet we’re all still very much the same. The key is allowing our real selves to show.

 

What do you think? Is it possible to be real without revealing private truths? Am I way off base? Please share your opinions and experiences below.

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Comments

  14. I’m trying to put more ‘me’ into my writing, blog and social media, but it’s definitely a fine balance. I’m probably even more turned off by ‘too much information’ than my a lack of personality so I worry about being too personal/vunerable/irrelevant in what I share.

    On an unrelated note. thank you for making A Walk In The Snark free on Amazon.co.uk as well as Amazon.com. Not sure exactly how it works but sometimes freebies aren’t available in UK. The UK is a huge market, authors. 60 million + of us and mostly native English speakers – and we love our Kindles. Your Amazon.com reviews don’t show up at Amazon.co.uk so offering the occasional Freebie to the Brits is a great way to get reviews on UK Amazon and find new readers this side of the pond. (So sorry for going off-topic like that, Rachel.)

    Reply

    • Thanks for sharing your perspective, Karen. I wrestled mightily with what to share — really, the degree to share, I suppose. In the end, my upcoming book is revealing but not x-rated. My goal isn’t to exploit the abuse or other experiences, but to discuss part of the situations and how I grew from them.

      As for the KDP Select free book, thank you for downloading it! When we go free in the US, it’s supposed to go free everywhere else now, including all of Europe. And I love each and every review – positive or negative — since I know people are at least reading my work.

      xo

      Reply

  20. Great question, Rachel. While some personas speak volumes, others do not. That’s a hard line to draw in terms of sharing personal aspects of our lives. But to share nothing intimate of ourselves, in my opinion, makes us less human and more rigid…even robotic. Some tread lightly with personal stuff, some are an open book and some are just sealed-lip, private people. No matter what, in the end, I guess we have to use our discretion on what we decide to share and how much of our vulnerability do we want out there. And then we have to make the conscious decision that we are willing to deal with the consequences, negative or positive.

    ~A.M.Day

    Reply

    • Thanks for your thoughtful replay, A.M. It definitely is a personal choice for each person, whether they are an artist, business owner, or just on Twitter for fun. There is a line of course, and everyone needs to be conscious of it, for sure.

      xo

      Reply

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