It has been a couple of weeks since my post-hacking relaunch. It still stings but stings less. I cried about it yesterday but crying less overall. Progress.
I had a goal of 200 followers by the end of the 1st week and I surpassed that goal. After my second week, I was at around 400, and then I stopped analyzing it because the best part has to be who followed. I both at looked the metrics as well as the people behind the @’s and learned a few things along the way.
There were many follows I am calling “delightfully random.” These are mainly men who could care less about fashion. They read my hacking story on my personal socials and made it a point to follow.
Multiple people (20%) were fans of the OG AFL and made it a point to let me know they were “mortified” when my page disappeared. They looked for me using #afashionatinglife and were happy to find v2. My mission resonated with these strangers. They missed AFL and wanted it back, so they went looking til they found it. If you were unsure about #s, why you need a strategy, and if you should include them in every post, now you know.
There were many follows I am calling “delightfully random.” These are mainly men who could care less about fashion. They read my hacking story on my personal socials and made it a point to follow. From the man who owns the dry cleaner to a music reporter who I swear only followed because years ago I gave him two free tickets to a show at a venue I worked at because it was his dad’s birthday.
There were also quite a few people who followed because decades ago we crossed paths professionally. I could not tell you what we worked on, but I remember them fondly (if I remember too many details you were probably an a-hole). It was a reminder to myself that even when life has you questioning humanity, to always treat everyone with respect, courtesy, and a bit of humor. You never know when/how people will return the goodwill.
This means more than having a good # strategy and good manners. As I said at my relaunch, my old page meant something deeply personal. I was proud of the community I was building but didn’t have much evidence others felt the same. Then I lost it, strangers felt that loss and people showed up.
A week ago, I trusted nobody but my dog. Today I believe not everyone sucks. Progress.
