Ever since my first introduction to the digital marketing/influencer sphere there has been a constant conversation about “what’s next”.  An undercurrent of fear that the industry will collapse, that our stability is just temporary.

There are questions about campaigns, who is getting work, who isn’t. There are shifts in how we should be doing something, and how we shouldn’t. Somedays there seems to be outright panic.

And through it all, I have added my thoughts, and ideas, but mostly just kept my head down and worked.  I sometimes feel an outsider to the “insider” group of our network of professionals.  Perhaps it because I live remotely, and instinctively work independently, or maybe I actually AM an outsider.  I know I don’t have many notches on my belt counting my years in the industry, maybe me being a “newby” is what makes me feel removed from the conversation.

In the end though, inside, or outside, east, or west, it doesn’t matter.  I still have my take on what is happening and my way to make the industry continue to deliver it’s harvest.

So, if you are feeling nervous, or worried about your place in the industries success, or thinking your bank account is filled with more dust bunnies than gold, my biggest learning over the years is this:

Do not get complacent.

Never stop.

Always create, recreate and attempt new things.

Despite the years that this industry has been developing, it is STILL a bit of wild west.  It changes constantly, growing, and shifting. There are opportunities and risks around every corner, and the best thing YOU can do, is actively look for them.

Never Stop.
Ever.

We tell our clients that they can NEVER stop with social. As soon as they do, it is “poof” gone. That is needs constant nurturing, and changing to succeed.

And we need to do the same for ourselves.  We need to take hard looks at our business structure, our content, our brand. We need to make changes, be trying new things, taking risks to break through the noise.

We can never stop. We can never feel like we “made it”. We must always be changing and growing.

But don’t get frustrated friend. Don’t use this as an excuse to close your laptop. Use it as a challenge. Push yourself, create something new, and then PUSH the boundaries of the INDUSTRY. Make it better, different, stronger. Slowly YOUR foundation of success WILL climb.

But no, you will never be able to stop.  So, just get used to that.
We can keep climbing together.