Do you know why Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, and most of what passes for mainstream journalism are filled with clickbait crap? I won’t insult your intelligence because you already know – that’s what people click on.
We complain bitterly in our frustration about how shit it is. It’s been this way for how many years now? You’re tired of standing around this tire fire inhaling the noxious smoke or you wouldn’t be here.
I had a series of conversations with the video editor who made Jordan Peterson (26.8MM likes) and Alex Hormozi (18.2MM likes) into social media mavens. I was trying to hire her. She taught me the most common recipe for algorithmic success and it goes like this –
Promise people a step-by-step method for fixing whatever burning problem they have.
Give case studies of the results other people have gotten while not guaranteeing any outcome.
Put up an online cart system that charges everyone around the world the same amount regardless of income.
Cash checks till the cows come home.
Rinse. Repeat. Gain traction and do it bigger and bigger and bigger until the false halo of fame creates the appearance of credibility.
Rinse. Repeat. Charge more.
“Oh, you can’t afford it? How about a 10-month payment plan… ”
Sound familiar? How much money have you spent in this insidious clickbait funnel? I spent thousands. I’m grateful it wasn’t tens of thousands.
I was hoping this video editor would take me on as a client and unlock social media stardom. She didn’t.
I don’t blame her – my message doesn’t fit the clickbait formula. I wasn’t willing to distill what I know into a hundred 15-second trend-driven videos that promise the sun, moon, and stars. I just couldn’t get my heart behind it, and I know that if I have no spark for a thing then there’s no point in a half-hearted attempt.
I’m making my bet on Substack and my simple daily offering instead.
I’m betting on you because betting on you (and what I know is right for me) feels good for me.
There’s something extra magical about meditating and facing our shadow together every day. We actually do need each other. The vast majority of us can’t do what’s most beneficial for ourselves and our world on our own. We just can’t. I’m sorry, but we’re not strong enough alone.
I don’t want to do this alone anymore. I tried to do it alone and failed. I wasted a lot of time procrastinating and avoiding what would deeply change me and my experience of this mortal plane.
The thing I can never tell you
I’m fresh out of snake oil. I can never know what your process will be. I don’t have a 5-step guide for you, a sure-fire recipe for success, nor have I turned myself into a shiny piece of AI chatbot technology.
I would never want to tell you how to live your life. I don’t know what will bring you love, success, or belonging. I only have a daily practice that will calibrate and re-calibrate your compass week after week, year after year so you can continuously navigate by your personal north star of truth.
If you also want friends along for this most tender of journies, I want to do this with you. BTW, if you’re nervous to click on this intro video, that probably means this simple, consistent practice has the power to change you deeply.
Fear is a sign that you’re on the right track. Fear means you’re about to break through to the technicolor rainbow of the life you came here to live. Fear means you’re about to become you.
If $22/mo is inaccessible for you, please email me at crystal@crystalbeasley.com with what you can afford, even if that’s nothing. I truly want this space to be available to all who need it.