Many people, especially non-marketers, believe that a marketing career is a simple and easy job. But if you are part of this industry, you will realize how it can be draining and stressful, just like the other professions. Social Media Marketing is not just about posting content, liking or commenting on other posts, and being active on social media platforms. There’s more than that. Behind the success of social media marketing, there are marketers out there who work consistently for the best strategy, formulate creative content, intentional in community building, and aim for specific data analytics.
Without knowing how to set boundaries, social media marketers are prone to burnout – especially creative burnout. Social media is a vast platform that billions of people actively use. And as marketers, we are expected to produce an outside-the-box plan for the brand we are working on. A content strategy that is not just noise but a scroll-stopper and attention-worthy post. That’s why, sometimes, we tend to stress ourselves when things don’t go to what we expected — even if it’s beyond our control.
As a social media manager myself, I experienced creative burnout many times. Creative burnout is a sign that you are always in a chasing mode. You are demotivated to finish your tasks despite being given plenty of time. And even if you have the energy to start, you feel sluggish because your creativity is somewhat not participating. So, in the end, you procrastinate and are unsatisfied with your work. What I learned from my boss is that the energy you give to someone or something is reciprocated with the same energy. So if you put good energy into creating content or strategy, you will notice that people will appreciate and engage with it nicely. Same as how you connect with other people. If you genuinely engage with them, you will also resonate with a good relationship.
But how can you put in good energy when you are in a burnout zone? It will be difficult. To deal with burnout, you need to take a rest and detach yourself from work. But as a social media marketer, it is also another problem. Because whether you like it or not, you live in a time when social media is also part of your everyday life. These blurry boundaries lead to a vicious cycle of social media marketers’ burnout.
So, how can you achieve work-life balance? The answer lies in giving yourself good and realistic reminders to stay motivated and productive with your work.
Reminders for Social Media Marketers
1. You don’t need to be on social media 24/7.
As part of social media marketing, most of us think we need to be the first to know what’s happening in social media trends. That’s why even if you are not in your work hours, you feel responsible for scrolling down on your social media. If you are a social media marketer, I’m sure your personal account also follows marketing brands, social media trends, and content creators sharing marketing tips and ideas. But this small act also makes it hard for you to detach from your work. Practice setting good boundaries that, after your work hours, switch off from social media. Open Do not Disturb and do a hobby that doesn’t need to open the internet. Doing this can help you avoid social media strain and maintain being productive in your job.
Also, showing up consistently doesn’t mean being active for longer hours a day. Yeah, working longer hours can increase your engagement, but it’s not sustainable. Do it for a month or two, and you’re already burnout and give up on your job. Your followers can understand slight delays in their comments and inquiries. And there are alternatives like bots and content that can help you with automated responses. Aside from that, social media trends will not last for only a day or two. You can still make content about that after finishing your weekend or prioritizing what’s more important.
2. You shouldn’t put your worth on the analytics.
Some trivia: Do you know that marketers who do analytics hate to see red in their jobs? It is because it means that something decreases. In our work, it’s normal for us to become discouraged when we don’t achieve the result we’re expecting. Sometimes you question yourselves about what you did wrong. Are your work and effort not enough? You consistently show up, but why still get this result? Something like that. But let me tell you this. You should not attach your worth to your work. Attaching your self-worth to your work result becomes problematic because it makes you blame yourself for external factors that are beyond your control. It hinders your personal growth and leads to mental health issues.
What you need to do is still give yourself a pat on the back, experiment with new things, and move forward. Remember, marketing is a continuous experiment and trial and error. As long as you are consistent and open to new strategies, the red marks will change into green ones. And when you feel you are eaten up by self-doubt, change your level of perspective. One trick I do when I’m on the verge of self-sabotage, I look at myself on the days that I’m still starting. Then compare what’s the difference. When you look at your progress at the macro level, you will realize how much you become better.
3. You’re not a God. Set realistic goals.
When doing content or strategy, don’t expect that it will go viral or bring immediate results right away. Setting these kinds of exaggerated goals only leads you to depression and burnout. Social Media is unpredictable. Sometimes, the content you make for a shorter time will give you high engagement, while the longer ones don’t. So when aiming for a goal, make sure that it’s measurable and attainable. Same when finishing your to-do list. Break down your tasks to what you think you can achieve for a day. As a rule of thumb, 2-3 finished important tasks are already a productive day. But it’s up to you and the tasks you are doing. What’s important is to find a sweet spot method for achieving your goals. Also, please bear in mind that you’re not a robot. You can’t work continuously and do multitasking. Always do one task at a time and practice minimal breaks in between.
4. Your wins are valid. Don’t forget to celebrate.
As a social media marketer, there are times that you experience impostor syndrome that hinders you from seeing your wins. When you are part of a marketing community, it’s normal for social media marketers to post their achievements online to prove their credibility. And it’s common for us to compare ourselves to them. I remember the time when the start-up brand I handled achieved 500 followers after many months. I didn’t really celebrate it much because I saw other marketers do it for just two weeks or one month. But I realize it’s still a big win for me because it is the fruit of my consistent effort. You see when you start comparing your wins to other people’s achievements, you also neglect your hard work.
All of your achievements, whether it is big or small, deserve to be recognized and celebrated. Acknowledge the fruit of your labor and make this a tracker that you move to reach a higher goal. This will make you motivated to continue and boost your confidence. Adding to that, instead of doubting yourself when you see someone better than you, positively reframe your thoughts. Use other’s life as an inspiration for the things that you can improve.
5. Your Mental Health Matters.
As social media marketers are always exposed online, learning how to set good boundaries is a must to achieve a work-life balance. Our jobs are more prone to pressure, burnout, and mental health issues. Don’t forget to prioritize your mental health and seek help from your family and friends when needed. I know that setting boundaries is easier said than done. But remember that your mind and body really need to step back before everything becomes overwhelming. There’s a life beyond social media. Add to your everyday routine physical activity like walking, meditating, exercising, etc. Limiting your screen time helps you destress and focus on living in the present moment.
Lastly, your value isn’t defined by just the likes, shares, or decreased analytics. You don’t need to tie your worth to these temporal factors. You are already capable and amazing. Focus on improving, investing in your well-being, and celebrating your personal growth.
