If you’re creating content on social media like the post I just published about staying sharp, you need to know that you do not own your platform.
The account that you log into? You have some control over it, but you don’t own it.
Yes, you own the content you create, and you’ll always have that — so long as you back it up on your computer or your phone — but the account that you share that content on is not yours.
For example, let’s say you’re on TikTok, creating content as usual, or you’re setting up your Facebook author page. If the terms and conditions of the app or platform suddenly change and you are in violation of those terms and conditions or community guidelines — whether you know you’re in violation or not — you could be blocked from posting or engaging, you could be shadowbanned, or your account could just be shut down.
This goes for all social media platforms. When it comes to promoting yourself or marketing your creative work, the only thing you can actually own besides the content you create is your email list. But make sure you have that downloaded and backed up somewhere too because if you’re otherwise still relying on the platform to allow you to use it the way you want to.
Your website is yours, too. However, you still rely on a domain registrar to park your domain and a hosting service to keep your website on the internet. If you stop paying for the services, then your website goes away.
Let me know if you’ve ever had any of these things done to you.
And as always, keep writing.
