We live in an era where likes are currency. Scroll through any social media feed, and you’ll see the relentless pursuit of validation. People are vying for attention, tweaking their lives to fit the algorithm. It’s almost an art form—a perfectly curated highlight reel, designed to pull in the thumbs-up and hearts. But here’s the truth: If you’re optimizing for likes, you’re playing a game that no serious entrepreneur should even consider.
Let me take you back to my early days; I was living in a cramped studio apartment, trying to figure out how to turn my passion into profit.I watched countless videos, took endless notes, and, sure enough, imposed some form of order to my life that I thought would yield success. I was all about the likes. I was scrolling through Instagram, posting motivational quotes, and sharing snippets of my so-called “hustle.” And guess what? I got some traction.People engaged with my content. I felt like I was winning!
But here’s where the disillusionment kicked in—I realized those likes didn’t pay the bills. They didn’t help me create lasting relationships or build a sustainable business.At some point, the thrill of those notifications wore off. They felt hollow, like candy without nutrition. It dawned on me that instead of chasing fleeting approval, I should have been leveraging my time, connections, and skills for something that actually mattered.
Leverage is a word that floats around in the entrepreneurial world, but few truly grasp its significance. When I talk about leverage, I’m not just referring to financial leverage—though that’s certainly a part of it. I mean leveraging yoru time, your skills, and, moast importantly, your network.
Think about it: You can post a viral video that gets 100,000 views and a ton of likes, but if that video doesn’t lead to meaningful engagement or conversions, what’s the point? You could have spent that same time reaching out to potential partners or clients. You could have polished your product, made it more effective, and solved a real problem for a real person.
I started optimizing my time. I cultivated relationships that went beyond the surface level—people who could offer me advice, open doors for collaboration, and even give me feedback that stung but ultimately helped me grow. I remember meeting this mentor who had practically written the book on marketing. No likes or follows could replace the insights I gained from a 30-minute chat with him. He opened my eyes to what true leverage looks like. It’s messy, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s real. It’s a long-term game—not a one-off transaction.
Dare I say that optimizing for likes is lazy? Because that’s exactly how it feels now. It’s agreeable; it feels good. But being comfortable won’t help you grow. Being bold will. Stop playing it safe. Start asking yourself some hard questions. Rather of posting for the thrill of approval, why not ask how you can serve your audience in a way that’s meaningful? What problems do they face that you can solve?
Wanna trigger real growth? Stop broadcasting your victories and start documenting your journey. Be raw. Be relatable. Talk about your struggles, your failures, your wins that only come after extensive iterations. The world is longing for authenticity, for stories that resonate. You won’t get that from empty likes.
If you’re building a personal brand, cultivate it with intention. Instead of throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks, focus on establishing expertise in one niche. Become the go-to person in that space. This requires you to dig deep and leverage your unique experiences and insights. Craft a narrative that not only speaks to people’s hearts but also evokes action. When you speak with conviction, people will not just like your posts; they’ll want to work with you, partner with you, or buy from you.
As I started to make these shifts, I found myself building real connections, nurturing partnerships that were rooted in mutual value, not just in algorithms. It shifted from me chasing likes to people chasing me for collaboration. That’s the kind of leverage that propels your business forward.
Here’s the kicker: you’re either optimizing for short-term validation or for long-term leverage. You can’t have both in the same space.Choose wisely. In the quest for visibility, remember that true success is built on the backbone of connection, authenticity, and value.
So stop chasing those ticks next to your name. They don’t define you. Instead, focus on the work that drives you—because real growth, the kind that builds empires, doesn’t come from a fleeting moment of fame; it comes from relentless hustle, genuine connections, and the wisdom that comes from putting in the sheer effort to leverage every ounce of your potential.