Why I Keep Telling You to Show Up on Social Media
Last month, I recorded a few Stories with a message I keep coming back to: use social media. Show up. Be human. Be real. Be you. Not polished. Not perfect. Not waiting until you have the “right” words.
Because here’s what I’ve learned after years of building businesses, relationships, and now writing The Relationship Advantage: one-to-many creates one-to-one. That’s not just a social media idea. That’s a relationship principle.
The Stories I shared weren’t about algorithms or content strategy. They were about using social media the way it was always meant to be used, as a bridge, as a doorway, as a way to let people see the human behind the title, the business, the brand.
I even referenced a very Gary V-style message I’ve seen where he says something like, “Just post. Get over yourself.” And honestly, he’s right. Most people aren’t stuck because they don’t know what to say. They’re stuck because they’re afraid of being seen.
And that fear is exactly what I talk about in the book.
We’ve been taught to perform, to polish, to protect. But you cannot build real relationships while hiding.
When you show up on Stories and talk about real life, real lessons, real moments, you’re not “creating content.” You’re creating proximity. And proximity is where relationships begin.
This is one of the core ideas in The Relationship Advantage. Relationships don’t start with a pitch. They start with familiarity. They start when someone feels like they know you. They start when you feel safe enough to be yourself. They start when you allow people into your world just enough for them to say, “You’re not alone.”
That’s why one-to-many turns into one-to-one. Someone watches a Story, recognizes themselves in it, and reaches out. Now you’re in a conversation. Now trust can form. Now a relationship can deepen. That’s not accidental. That’s relational.
In the book, I talk about how business, leadership, and life all move at the speed of relationships. And relationships are built through presence, not perfection. Social media, when used this way, becomes a relationship tool, not a highlight reel, not a performance, not a place to prove your worth. A place to connect.
This is why I’ll keep encouraging people to show up human online. Not because everyone needs to share everything, but because everyone deserves to feel seen and known. And that starts with someone being brave enough to go first.
So if you’ve been overthinking Stories or waiting until you feel more confident, here’s your simple permission slip: share one real moment, one honest lesson, one thing you believe. That’s it.
Because the goal isn’t more views. It’s more connection. And connection is the heartbeat of The Relationship Advantage.
One-to-many creates one-to-one. And one-to-one is where relationships are built.
If this resonated, hit reply and tell me what part of this feels hardest for you right now. I read every message. And those conversations? That’s the whole point.
Always in your corner,
Barb 🩷
