To have started posting on social media?

[amimakingafannyofmyself]

i know there’s a lot of opinions on “influencers” on here so I just want to clarify that I’m not posting anything like that, just my opinions on sports etc.

I see a lot of women my age being offered incredible opportunities after building a community doing this sort of thing - free tickets, free trips, etc etc. so I figured why not, I’ve got a lot of spare time and can put some effort into it.

My family are all pretty embarrassed by me. They seem to think it reflects badly on them and that if anyone finds out I’ll regret it. They’re all begging me to take the videos down and close down my page.

AIBU to do it?

I think you should ignore said family members and do whatever makes you happy. It's frankly none of their business and simply their opinion.

There is lots of great content online, much of it niche. Pretty much every hobby and interest is covered. Interested in garden railways ? Want advice from champion onion growers ? How to build a plane ?

All online. Passionate people with no more than cheap kit and free editing software. All being part of their specific community.

And lets not forget, for the big subjects such as US politics, many of those folk who were doing commentary 15 years ago from their spare room now have higher viewings than mainstream news.

I don't understand how your family have a problem with it if they don't even engage with social media.

Just stop telling them about it.

I never commented on whether I'd want to watch it. I said I'd be mortified if my husband was so conceited as to think he has profound views and opinions that everyone should want to listen to.

I don't do Tiktok and don't watch videos on other social media as I find them intrusive and annoying.

Good for you OP, if you enjoy it and want to learn or share something then keep going. You never know what might come of it.

Just ignore family naysayers in future, or better yet don’t tell them, and just carry on.

They know I’m doing it now and think it’s embarrassing

I wasn't trying to be snippy - it's just something to think about. There are SO many people doing content creation that you need to have your own niche. That sort of content will definitely have an audience.

I mean, you’re posting your opinion on MN, a public forum - so obviously you don’t mind sharing your views that much.

I say go for it. The world needs more women becoming active in all areas of sports. We’ve been told for so long that our opinions on sport aren’t valid and that we should be embarrassed to speak up. You often see that female sports commentators get a much harder time for daring to give their opinion. So if you take measures to protect yourself online then I say go ahead. You could be a great role model for other women and girls.

Yeah that’s what I’m trying to carve out. I’m interested in a lot of different things so I just want to post about them all and then see if it gets anywhere. I’m not relying on it to become a huge income source

I like this take on it too. I see it a lot in the sports spaces I’m in, so it’s nice to challenge that. That I can be a girlie girl who like makeup, and skincare and hair care etc., and also be knowledgeable about sports.

I do find it interesting to listen to other people’s views on things though, and “normal” people’s views. I think the world would be an incredibly boring place if nobody ever shared what they think.

I think, if you've got the guts, and are sure you come across well on camera, it's a great idea. Two of the women I follow on FB, I follow just because their reels cropped up as I was scrolling, and I initially just liked the way they came across, so watched more of their videos.

One is a woman renovating her house (and has a lovely dry sense of humour) and the other is Fiona in the Wild- a woman who goes solo wild camping in Scotland. I wasn't looking to follow anyone on either of those subjects, but now I'm hooked on both.

I'm responding to a post asking for opinions. I'm not out there pushing my views on people.

Good for you! It's a hobby where you are able to engage with something you enjoy.
You don't have to have an engagement strategy to get started, things can grow organically.
If you want to grow it great, but it's fun to give something a go and you may make amazing connections even if you don't monetise.

You do what you want to do, nothing embarrassing about it and if you enjoy it- go for it!

I have social media pages, they’re actually mostly videos of my dogs, I’m not a natural on camera so tend not to feature much. I started during Covid as a bit of fun and now have (or my dogs have) a decent following. I’ve been sent a few free products over the years, at one point was making about £300 month on TikTok until they changed how they monetised and when I focused on another platform, am now making significantly more on that one.

I would say go for it to anyone wanting to try it. It remains a hobby for me, the money is just an added bonus!

The chances of you benefitting financially from this are practically none. As long as you realise this going in and see it just as a bit of fun then why not?

Yeah I don’t think I’m going to be raking in the big bucks 😂 I just think it’s a bit of fun really and if it comes to it I’ve got a fun video diary

I think this sounds potentially useful and helpful, and if you enjoy doing it OP, good for you. Why not?

You'll be lucky to rake in any bucks tbh. But that shouldn't stop you. Especially if you're really enjoying it. Your family will just have to suck it up. Good luck. 🙂

I say go for it, and I say this as someone who dislikes influencer culture. If you are genuinely knowledgeable about this, then why not? As for your family 'being embarrassed' so what? What has it got to do with them!? I'd tell them where to stick their unwanted opinions.

Do it. I post on TikTok and make decent money as an affiliate. You’ll find total randoms are much more encouraging than people you’ve known a life time. Good luck!

One thing I forgot to add to my post above is you need to have thick skin to post on social media. Particularly if you get a viral video or a good following.

Despite my videos being my dogs, the abuse I get in the comments can be next level. On the rare occasion I’ve been in a video, I’ve received some awful comments. Just be prepared and good luck 😉

Every influencer started somewhere. If you enjoy it then why not? I admit I’d love to be more outgoing and confident to do it. Perhaps the negativity you’re experiencing is laced with jealousy. They don’t have to look if they don’t like it!

Yeah I’ve noticed this. Strangers are so encouraging