We need to talk about 'sharenting'
+how you can comfortably experiment with the LinkedIn algorithm and advice on reframing business setbacks
quick summary ⚡️
Actionable tips for parents and loved ones on how to safely post about kids online
How YouTuber Hank Green gamed the LinkedIn algorithm, and you can too
The business lessons that we can all take away from Ridiculousness host Rob Dyrdek
4 tips from Founder Melissa on stay motivated despite any business setbacks
why it’s time to rethink how we share children on social media
by Kait Richmond, writer, producer and a contributor to the M.T. Deco Blog.
We need to talk about sharenting.
Referring to the practice of parents sharing their kids’ lives online, sharenting has been around almost as long as social media. Although the practice itself has been intensely debated for years - such as how much is too much, or will kids grow up to be angry with their parents - the conversation has not often made it to the mainstream in an impactful way.
It’s past time to take a closer look at how all of us share children on our social media, even if you’re a parent with a small following or you don’t have kids at all. Whether the concern is about safety, privacy, consent or all of the above, most of us could stand to be more thoughtful about what we post.
More and more creators are reconsidering how much they’re sharing about their children’s lives. Laura Fritz’s daughter Lena has been a beloved TikTok toddler, but Laura recently decided that she will not continue to share Lena in the way she has in the past.
Stances on sharenting run the gamut and every situation is different. At MTD, we’re always advocating for clients to share a bit more of their personal lives. It’s a wonderful way to relate to people beyond your career, and can be impactful for those navigating parenthood. We love to share the special moments and big milestones - and there are ways to find a happy medium.
It can get tricky depending on whether you have a public or private profile, and how much is expected of you as it relates to what you do. We’ve broken down each scenario with a few additional tips for each…
If you’re a parent with a “public” life: If you are wanting to share your experience with parenthood as a way to build community, consider how you can create content that is a resource for others, not entertainment. As you do that, take these steps for extra protection:
Use photos where you can’t see your little ones’ faces, or use emojis to cover their faces
Limit the information you are sharing and center it on your experience, not your child’s
Avoid potentially viral moments at the expense of your child
Don't post anything that indicates a place that the child frequents often (i.e. no photos of school uniforms)
If you’re a parent who just wants to share the special moments: Even if your job is not public-facing, you still want to engage the community you have on your platforms and share photos with friends and family. While you can and should follow the list above, what’s important for you is who can see what you’re posting, even if your profile is private.
Make your profiles private and ensure all followers are people you’re comfortable with
Utilize “Close Friends” or “Friends Only” features to share with a curated list of family and friends
Consider avoiding social media altogether and setting up a private iCloud account that you can share with people you trust
If you're in public, don't post anything until you've left the location
If you don’t have children: Just because you’re not a parent doesn’t mean you don’t want to post cute photos of your nieces and nephews, or your first visit with your best friend’s new baby.
Always ask for permission to post. If the parents or child say no, you need to respect their wishes
If you do post about the children in your life, don't use their names, tag the parents' social media accounts or share where they live
If you have a public profile, or a private profile with a large following of people you don’t know and trust, utilize “Close Friends” and “Friends Only” features on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
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for more resources and tips on how to safely share your kids online, head to the MTD blog
Hank Green’s mission to get 1 million LinkedIn followers
We found this video from OG YouTuber and content creator Hank Green fascinating. Here’s why…
Hank is proving that he’s on the front lines of a new age of influencers who have the ability and experience to PLAY and EXPERIMENT with platform algorithms. And LinkedIn audiences are loving it, with the majority of Hank’s posts getting reactions into the thousands.
for more on working with (or around?) social media algorithms, head here, and ofc give Hank a follow here.
💎cultural gems💎
The cultural moments and news that caught our attention this week:
Puritanism took over online fandom - and then came for the rest of the internet. Are the wild west days of the internet over?
The making of the Ariana Madix episode of Call Her Daddy. Regardless of whether or not you’re a Call Her Daddy fan, this was a fascinating peek into how Alex and her team prepared for the blockbuster interview with Vanderpump Rules’ Ariana Madix.
On TikTok, there’s always a new ‘girl’ aesthetic. From “clean girl,” “that girl” and “vanilla girl,” it feels like there’s a new type of TikTok “it” girl every week.
The aspects of manifestation that we shouldn’t discount. Founder Melissa Blum has long been a fan of manifestation. This article breaks down the pros for all of you who are unsure.
inspo
Having watched ROB DYRDEK as the host of Ridiculousness and Rob & Big on MTV for many years, I was curious when he popped up on the TSC Podcast. As on-air talent, I never thought of him as a businessman first, but wow, this episode blew our minds—
Rob isn’t just savvy at business, he’s a full-on mogul who has built tons of businesses through his venture studio Dyrdek Machine. He has foresight - like when he thought to bring his product on-air in his early days on television, he’s organized - the man literally tracks his health in a spreadsheet and has for over a decade, and he’s such an inspiring entrepreneur - he’s focused on building a LIFE he wants and using his businesses to fuel it.
check out more inspo from Rob here
tools
✍️ notes from Melissa Blum, M.T. Deco Founder & CEO
A message for my fellow entrepreneurs: that “thick skin” people always talk about ended up being crucial to my journey as a new business owner.
When I decided to make the jump from corporate America, what I was most nervous about wasn’t the job itself, but what other people would think of me.
I was deeply unhappy with the way my son’s first year of life was going to be after my maternity leave and tormented by what to do. How could I possibly leave my job? I’d worked SO hard to get there. If I start my own company and I’m not AdAge 40 under 40 or I don’t get a mention in Variety, am I a complete failure? I was drowning in what-ifs until I finally said to myself, “you’ve gotta develop a thicker skin.” I laughed. Maybe everyone was right all along?
If you’re looking for the motivation to keep moving despite your own setbacks or worries about what others think, here are some tricks I’ve found helpful:
Know your priorities. My priorities in life are my kids, my husband, my family and our health and wellness. What are you yours? Once your priorities are clear, everything else truly falls into place.
Practice gratitude. Every morning I write the three things that I’m most grateful for that day, what would make the day amazing and a daily affirmation in my Five Minute Journal. Keeping the big picture in mind makes the day-to-day grind feel lighter and more purposeful.
Blinders and complete focus. When I need to get something done, I tune out the noise. I turn off email, put on timers on my phone and focus. On a macro level, I do the same thing. I dive into my to-do list and am relentless about tasks until they are complete. Being able to do this helps me channel my energy into progress rather than worry.
Self-pep talks. I tell myself that I’m enough, I’m capable and that I’m happy as part of my morning routine. Sometimes I tell myself I’m powerful and a force for good in this world too. Treat yourself well and others will do the same.
for more of Melissa’s tips and tricks on staying motivated - and tough - through the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship, head to the MTD blog