fbpx

#310 Should you get political on your feed?

SUBSCRIBE
iTunes Spotify iHeart Radio TuneIn YouTube

How do you navigate the tricky waters of sharing (or staying silent) about politics on your social media? In this episode, I tackle one of the most polarizing questions creators face: should you voice your political stance online?

We’ll break down different approaches used by high-profile influencers and discuss the emotional and strategic pros and cons. If you’re stuck wondering whether to speak up or stay quiet, this episode is packed with insights to help you make the right choice for *you*.

Should We Share Our Politics Online?

Today’s topic is: Should we share our politics online? I’ll get straight to the point—this is not the place where I reveal my political affiliations. I’m not going to tell you who I support or what party I align with. This episode isn’t about me trying to influence you one way or another. My goal is to help you make an unbiased decision for yourself. And trust me, that decision isn’t easy.

In today’s climate, we all have opinions, and we tend to hold them pretty tightly. If you’ve tried talking politics with anyone in your life, you know exactly what I mean—there’s rarely any convincing involved. Everyone knows where they stand, and they usually stand firm. That’s exactly why I made the choice not to disclose my own beliefs here. I want to focus on the bigger picture—helping you figure out your own decision. If someone on the opposite side of the aisle were to listen to this and hear me talk about my politics, they might just tune out. And that’s not what I want. I want this episode to be for everyone, regardless of their views.

At the heart of this conversation is the idea that everyone should have the right to express their voice—or not—without fear of judgment. Whether you choose to speak out about politics or keep your views private, it’s your decision. My message has always been that people shouldn’t be judged for how they show up online. It’s okay to have a point of view, but judging others for whether or not they express theirs? That’s not helpful. What matters is making the choice that aligns with your values and your goals.

---

Addressing the Fear: Losing Followers

Let’s start with the big fear that pops up when people think about sharing their political views: “What if I lose followers?” This is often the first concern, but it’s really just the surface layer. Yes, sharing your stance might mean losing followers. But those followers would likely be people who don’t align with your values. And they probably would have left eventually, right? If you’re afraid of losing people who fundamentally disagree with your message, that’s not necessarily a reason to stay silent.

Even if you have a small following—say, 200 followers—and you lose 20 people, that’s 10% of your audience. But so what? Losing followers isn’t the worst thing that could happen. In fact, the deeper fear might lie in what happens with the followers who stay. If everyone who sticks around agrees with you, that’s great! It could even strengthen your bond with your audience. Those followers might become super fans, sharing your content and becoming more engaged because they feel connected to your message.

But what about those who disagree with you and still choose to stay? These are the people who might challenge you publicly, leaving critical comments and trying to tear you down. Opening yourself up to that kind of backlash can be really scary. It’s hard to put yourself out there and be criticized for something you feel strongly about—especially when the criticism feels personal.

---

The Reality of Public Discourse

The political climate today is incredibly polarized. We’ve all seen it—conversations about politics, even among family and friends, can quickly escalate into arguments. The internet takes that tension to another level. People can be ruthless online, and the divisiveness seems to grow every day. When you express your views publicly, you might find yourself under fire, no matter which side you’re on.

Marie Forleo experienced this firsthand. In 2020, during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, heated conversations erupted in her Facebook group. People were passionately debating both sides of the movement, and Marie decided to shut down those discussions to keep the group focused on business. But that decision didn’t sit well with many people. They felt silenced at a time when raising their voices was critical. Marie faced massive backlash, and eventually, she had to shut the group down entirely. It was a tough situation, and while I’m not here to judge her, it shows how complicated these decisions can be.

---

Different Ways to Approach Politics Publicly

Tori Dunlap, the financial coach behind “Her First 100K,” took a very different approach. She attended the Democratic National Convention and posted about it on her social media. As a result, she lost about 10,000 followers almost immediately. But Tori wasn’t fazed. She said that it was obvious where she stood based on her advocacy for women’s financial freedom, and she was surprised that some followers hadn’t realized it sooner. For her, speaking up strengthened her connection with her core audience. Her posts about the convention performed just as well as her usual content, and in some cases, even better. The passion and alignment from her audience grew stronger because they felt seen and heard.

If you’re considering sharing your political views, Tori’s story shows that you need to be prepared to stand firmly in your beliefs. People will leave, but the ones who stay will likely become more engaged and loyal. If you follow Tori on Instagram (@herfirst100K), you’ll see how she fearlessly advocates for her values. It’s a great example of how to lean into your message with confidence.

Another way to approach politics is how Alex Cooper, host of *Call Her Daddy*, did it. Alex doesn’t usually talk politics on her show, but she decided to interview Vice President Kamala Harris during a critical time for women’s rights. Before the episode aired, Alex explained that she wasn’t trying to change anyone’s political affiliation—she just wanted to create space for important conversations. She even extended an invitation to Donald Trump to appear on her show, though he hasn’t accepted. This approach allowed her to address relevant issues without taking a firm stance, keeping her platform inclusive.

---

Staying Quiet: A Valid Choice

Some people, like Amy Porterfield, choose not to engage with politics publicly at all. Amy runs a successful business and focuses entirely on providing value to her audience. While she may donate to political campaigns privately—information that’s publicly accessible—she keeps politics out of her brand. Her decision reflects the belief that her audience follows her for specific reasons, and politics isn’t part of that equation. Tony Robbins takes a similar approach. Although he invited both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to speak at a recent town hall event, he refrained from sharing his personal views. His goal was to provide a platform for discussion without influencing his audience directly.

---

Making the Right Choice for You

So, where do you land? There’s no right or wrong way to handle politics online. The key is to make a choice that feels authentic to you. If you feel called to speak up, like Tori Dunlap, go for it. If you prefer to foster conversations without revealing your stance, like Alex Cooper, that’s a great option too. And if you want to stay silent, like Amy Porterfield, that’s completely valid. The important thing is that you make the decision intentionally and don’t feel pressured to act one way or another.

If you’re struggling with this decision, think about your audience. What do they want from you? Would they appreciate hearing your perspective, or are they looking to you for something else? Sometimes, it’s less about what your audience wants and more about what you need to express. Like Tori said, losing followers isn’t the end of the world—what matters is connecting deeply with those who resonate with your message.

---

Final Thoughts

Whatever you decide, make sure it’s your choice. Don’t let anyone pressure you into speaking up if you’re not ready. And don’t stay silent if you feel compelled to share your voice.

We’re all navigating this together, and I hope this episode helps you feel more confident in whatever decision you make. At the end of the day, what matters most is that you participate in the ways that feel right to you. And if nothing else, please make sure you get up on election day and cast your vote. Your voice matters.

Thank you for listening. If you have any questions or want to dive deeper into these topics, feel free to DM me on Instagram at @inacoveney. Or, better yet, join the Superhuman Academy at realsuperhumans.com/academy for exclusive resources and support.

And don’t forget to hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. I’ll see you on the next one!

Let the BINGE begin

WATCH OR LISTEN NOW
318 Samantha Brown - Super Humans Podcast
  • Ina Coveney
  • Posted by Ina Coveney
December 5, 2024

"Your success isn’t measured by the size of your audience but by the strength of your impact."

Caitlin Locascio-King - Super Humans Podcast
  • Ina Coveney
  • Posted by Ina Coveney
November 26, 2024

"Watch what they're doing, and learn from it. Don't dwell because they're doing better than you."

314 Solo - Super Humans Podcast
  • Ina Coveney
  • Posted by Ina Coveney
November 14, 2024

"First impressions are everything when you have a small audience."

SUPER HUMAN ACADEMY - Ina Coveney

Browse our easy-to-follow courses to step into your Super Human journey: email marketing, mindset and entrepreneurship!