Finding your online platform & walking in what god has called you (online era part I)

 

Finding your online platform & walking in what god has called you (online era part I) 

Episode 12 

Rain falls down outside while fog settles through the trees. Like a scene from a movie. A Jane Austen story come to life. 

And a new month has dawned on us. 

Today's topic I feel is important especially in the world we are in. Being online and on social media is so much a part of the culture nowadays. I also want to talk about how to balance being online while being creatives as well and Christians. 

But Before we get into this topic, let's have coffee! 

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Hello friend! Welcome to the “Faith Writing and Coffee Chats Podcast!” My name is Moriyah and I am a Christian, writer, book and coffee lover! Today I have with me a vanilla latte. I hope you too have a yummy drink with you! 

Today I want to talk about a topic I’ve been thinking a lot about lately and that I’ve been talking through with my mom. This is something I’ve been working through and discussing and I feel like it is a really important topic. 

As I was working on notes for this episode, I had so many ideas and so instead of having one massive episode, I’ll be splitting this into smaller episodes and parts with the overall title of the “online era”. 

So, today's topic is all about finding your online platform with the goal of trying to just use the platforms you are gifted in. 

So, grab a cup of coffee and let's dive into this episode! 

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Something I see promoted a lot online and with social media is to: post as much as possible, be on every platform (like: instagram, facebook, ticktock, twitter, threads, YouTube, and so much more) and to be content creators that are on every trend and popular thing. 

I personally do not agree with this. 

There was a time I thought this was smart to be on all different kinds of platforms because then logically your  audience with grow and you will get more people interested in what you do which is important when you are a creative and your work and livelihood is connected to your socials and the sales and interest you bring it. 

For example: I’m a writer. Since I want to be published and be an author, one of the things I have to think about is how I’m going to get readers interested in my writing and later my books and then buying said books. For that I need interested readers. For that I need an audience. If you go Indy (or the self publishing route) you need this for people to know who you and your book are and to buy from you and the same is with traditional publishing. In traditional publishing one of the things most all publishers will ask you in queering and finding an agent is what your social media audience is (how big) and how are you working on growing it. 

So this is a big thing and this is for more than just writing. This is for online business. How musicians can get listeners. How artists can be commissioned or share their art. And more. Baseline is that lots of things hope for or require being on or having social media. Some people can be completely off social media and off the grid but not everyone can do that especially when it’s tied to their livelihood. 

BUT I do believe there is a way to “work smarter & not harder”. Meaning that I think there is a way to narrow down on the platforms you use to just the things you are gifted at and that bring you joy and creativity without being on every platform. 

Something I have seen in my own life and in others, is that you can be gifted in an area in social media and that area is where you are going to get the biggest return and engagement, sales, and audience. 

I am sure there are some people who are gifted in all social media platforms. I am not one of those people and that is okay. Since I’m not gifted in all platforms, I want to use my time and talents in the most efficient way possible. 

I am also a writer and I like to read and I love spending time with my family and I help my siblings with their homeschooling and there are things I like and need to do so I want to be intentional with my time on social media. Social media platforms are not my passions though if used well they can help my passion. 

I also know for myself that I can’t be on every single social media platform or even on a few while also writing, blogging, and podcasting. Something I’ve learned about myself is I need to take breaks from being online while I write so I don’t get distracted or overwhelmed or discouraged. I want to talk about this more in a different episode, so that will be coming soon. 

The thing I want you to remember is that (especially thinking as a writer and creative) is that if God has called you to something, if He has gifted you in a specific area then He will provide and make it come to pass if you are faithful. 

Think of the parable of the talents. The ones who are called faithful are the ones who use their gift given to them and multiply it and are faithful with what they have been given. The one who is called wicked is the person who buries their gift and does nothing with it. We are to be faithful in what God has called us to and to the gifts he has given us. 

If you are called to be a writer and you write a book and you are faithful in what God has called you to then I believe He will bring the right audience to you. He will provide and make a way for your books and stories to be out there because He has called you. But you still need to be faithful and carry out what he has called you to. 

Just think, social media as we know it truly only started and gained popularity in the 90s—to early 2000. Before that there wasn’t social media yet books were still being published, music was still being made and recorded, art was still being created,No people were making connections. There is still a way to do things without social media. We don’t truly need it for everything especially not when as Christians we know that God is our provider and it is Him who makes a way and who gives success. We don’t need social media. We only need God. 

3Trust in the Lord and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

—Psalm 37:3-5 

Still, social media can be fun to use and a really wonderful way to connect with people and friends you don’t live close to.

So now I want to talk about actually finding your online platform! 

So I personally believe that we all have specific giftings and talents. I think we should use the gifts and talents we were given. 

Some people are gifted in taking photos. Some are not. 

Some people are gifted in writing. Some are not.

Some people are gifted in speaking. Some are not. 

Some people are gifted in filming videos. Some are not. 

The list goes on. 

It isn’t a bad thing to not be gifted in something. We are just figuring out what our giftings are and walking in that. It is actually really amazing once you figure this out. When you figure out what your gifting is then you are able to walk in it. You are able to do what you are talented in and what you like doing which can be joyful and life giving. 

You no longer have to feel discouraged when creating content because now you know exactly what you are good at instead of feeling like you need to do everything. If you are doing everything chances are you aren’t doing your gifting or doing it very little. That is really discouraging. 

We are doing, less is more. By focusing and honing in on a platform or platforms that you are gifted in then you are able to be more creative and excited about what you are creating. As well as it will give you more time to do what you actually love making  and doing. 

So I want to give some examples of giftings and what that platform may be for you! 

I also want to quickly say that: Maybe if you feel burnt out—and this is over and over and over again so much so you keep having to take breaks or its affecting your health and creativity—then maybe the content you are creating, the platform you are on is wrong for you & is not your gifting. That is perfectly okay. This is something I have had to learn and I feel so much better and clearer-headed when I can do this and take breaks or go completely off of a platform that I am either not gifted in or that is hurting me. 

Now let’s get to examples with questions. 

• Do you like taking photos and putting together scrapbooks and photos together? Do you like making aesthetics? Then Pinterest & Instagram are for you. 
• Do you like writing long form content? Do you want a place where you can write and share your thoughts and ideas and easily look back on what you’ve written? Blogging is perfect for this. (This is also my best and favorite place to make content). 
• Do you like creating longer videos? Do you like video editing? Are you good on camera? YouTube is your spot. 
• Do you like making reels and short form video clips? Is small form videos a joy for you to create? Ticktock & or Instagram reels are right up your alley. 
• Do you like being able to speak to people? Are you good at talking and giving advice? Then podcasting is a perfect place for you! 
• Do you want to share photos and slightly longer captions? Do you want to create or be a part of online groups? Facebook is that place. 
• Or maybe…and this is very possible that you are good at connecting in person with people. Maybe your strength is being around people in real life and not social media. 
• OR maybe you have multiple giftings. Maybe you, like me, are a blogger and a podcaster—you write well and you like to speak. Or maybe you are really good at videos so you do YouTube and reels on instagram. 

I want you to try and figure this out. 

Take some time to sit down. Grab a notebook and a drink and take time to journal your thoughts and ideas down. Figure out what content or lack of content you like to create. What brings you joy? Do that. What brings you anxiety and comparison? Don’t do that. Where do you get the best engagement? 

For me, I have grown to learn that my best platform is blogging. Sure, on instagram I might have gotten more views and “hearts” but blogging is where I have made really wonderful connections. Blogging is where I get people who READ what’s on my heart. Blogging is where I feel excited to post. Blogging is where I get the sweetest heartfelt comments and connections. I don’t get that on any other platform. Instagram is great if you want to get likes. But more than that, I want what I write to be read. I want what I write to help and encourage people. I am able to do that best, on blogging. 

With blogging, I’ve also started doing podcasting and it's been such a joy to start and has been such a fun way to connect with you all in a new way that also brings me joy doing. 

That's something I want you to remember, making and posting content can be a joy to do. It can make you happy and excited and can be something you look forward to and don’t dread. 

This is what I want for you! I want you to find joy in what you create. I also want you to be able to take breaks and get away from the online world if you want. I want you to be able to carry out the calling you have on your life without being derailed by social media. 

Remember, these are all just apps. Squares on your phone. They don’t truly matter, especially not in light of eternity. Don’t let these squares control your life. 

You have a bright future ahead. You have a loving God who has a plan for your life and who has a calling for you. Will you walk in His calling for you?