The Real Reason Why People Don't "Like" Your Content

You're reading Boss Creator Bulletin—5-minute (or less) weekly insights empowering you to become a more confident content creator. I hope this issue benefits you and your content projects. Ready? Let's do this! 

We've all been there... You spend hours or even days researching the best headline hooks. You weave your idea into what you believe is an enticing blog post, newsletter, or social caption, only to be met with lackluster engagement (i.e., very few "likes").

So, now you feel defeated because you have "proof" that no one wants to read your writing.

You know that most online spaces are crowded and noisy. Competition for attention is fierce out here in these internet streets!

So, why don't folks "like" your content? 

There are also so many other factors that keep your content hidden from folks on social media platforms, namely the algorithms. But also, real talk: We are primarily self-centered creatures.

We spend more time absorbed and distracted by our perceived mistakes and shortcomings. We're far more critical of ourselves than others. So, someone's reaction, or (lack thereof) to your writing, often says more about them than you.

Granted, we hope our content is so compelling that others will "like," comment, and share it with others when the truth is there are probably so many people who read and appreciate what we write. But Impostor Syndrome creates a comparison trap that keeps them from engaging with our content!

Maybe it's happened to you... You read someone's post and loved it but instantly feel like they are so good, so obviously, your writing sucks in comparison. So, you do nothing instead of giving them a "like" or engaging in a comment. Or worse, you trash your post draft because you believe it's not as good as theirs. (Ahem... #Guilty 😅)

💡I recently wrote about embracing Impostor Syndrome as a creative superpower. You can read it here.

In short, lack of engagement on your content may have nothing to do with you or the quality of your writing.

Besides, "likes" are merely vanity metrics that don't necessarily translate into connections or conversions anyways.

You want quality engagement more than "likes." 

The secret to quality engagement is establishing and nurturing quality relationships with your readers. How?

Be relatable. Allow your readers to see themselves in your writing, and make them feel like they're talking with a trusted friend. 

I don't adhere to explicit "target audiences" when crafting this newsletter. Instead, I realized that when folks see themselves in my writing, their gender, industry, or geographic location doesn't matter.

Remember, "likes" are not the goal. Capture and hone your distinct creative voice to publish relatable content that builds trust and engagement beyond "likes" and vanity metrics.

Okay, that's all for now. Thanks for reading! I'll see you here next Monday.

~Jae

P.S. Another way to boost engagement is by collaborating with others! Make new friends in an April engagement challenge [here].

P.P.S. Was this forwarded to you? Get next week's issue in your inbox [here].

Thanks again for being here. Let's connect on LinkedIn or Bluesky!