The Online Activist: Leveraging Your Digital Platform for Authentic Digital Activism

Hey Queens. Take a seat, we’re getting real today.

Palestine is burning. Sudan is burning. The Congo is burning.

In the digital age, everything we consume is online, even the news. Normally, our goal is to capitalize on that visibility and offer tips and tricks to help our fellow marketing pros bring attention to their own brands and campaigns. Today, we’re going deeper, and talking about how to be an effective online activist while protecting your brand.

Lately, we’ve been studying the delicate balance between activism and engagement. As digital marketing professionals, our job is to stay aware of the online discourse. With the slew of images coming out of Palestine, Sudan, and Congo, we’ve realized that humanity is at a rare crossroads: for the first time in history, the narratives, videos, and clips coming out of international conflict is what’s happening online. It’s impossible not to connect the dots between our mission and the images we’re seeing unfold on social media. We preach storytelling and authenticity, and these brave individuals are using social media to tell their stories; that’s as real as it gets. To ignore the deeply impactful images and videos coming out of these conflicts would be shallow and superficial of us. If we’re going to continue to tout authenticity, as a brand, it’s time for us to say something.

So first and foremost, Free Palestine.

Now, roll up your sleeves; today we’re giving a lesson on how to be a leader online, queens.

Step 1: Get Educated.

Nothing’s worse than an activist who is loud and wrong—a lack of informed opinions is one of the biggest criticisms of digital activism. The internet has become a megaphone for change but often, creators especially espouse judgment or support of issues they don’t fully understand. Before you get on a social soapbox make sure you understand as much as you can about the issues you’re speaking on. Understand the nuances, complexities, and perspectives involved, Then flip what you’ve learned to and pass that knowledge on to your audience. Use your platform to point people in the direction of reputable sources or accounts where they can learn more about the causes that matter to you. Empower your audience to have informed discussions and encourage them to take action, their way. When you lead the charge, you establish yourself as a trusted compassionate resource, advocating for change.

Step 2: Say something.

If you choose to take a stance, stand on business. Be bold but avoid jumping on trends or causes that don’t resonate with your brand’s ethos—it can come off as disingenuous. Your platform isn’t your space in the online landscape and it can be adjusted to fit your needs at any given time. Your page isn’t just a place you showcase your work– it's a space you use to connect your audience with your values. Your activism should align with your genuine beliefs and help your audience see who you are based on what you believe in. Remember. Authenticity builds trust and credibility with your audience.

Posting and hashtags are well and good, but find ways to take your support beyond a panel on your feed. Use your online spaces to point your audience in the direction of active support or donation channels. Repost stories that amplify your voice and the voices of those who need visibility. Toy with your outreach strategy strategy to get your message out to audiences beyond your traditional congregation.

Step 3: Amplify your Impact

Engaging in an open dialogue with your audience about politics is a slippery slope we would highly advise against. Instead, join forces with like-minded creators, organizations, and activists to have controlled conversations about ways to help make a real impact. Collaborative efforts amplify your message and increase visibility. Play chess and leverage each other’s strengths to drive meaningful change. This two-way communication strengthens your community and broadens your impact.

Now we’re gonna be honest, standing for what you believe in rarely comes without consequences. Are you prepared for potential backlash from clients or followers who don’t share your views? Can your brand take a hit? As digital creators and marketers, we hold the power to shape narratives but the truth is, we rarely use that power to drive societal change, so the shift may be jarring to your audience, and the possibility of retaliation is very real. Be ready to handle it with grace. Respond to criticism thoughtfully (if at all) and stay true to your values.

We’re embracing digital activism because we feel that as people who contribute to the digital narrative, it’s our responsibility to promote thoughts, ideas, and strategies that contribute to a more just world. We don’t get to pick and choose the impact that social media has on us, but we can curate our impact. And we choose change.

What about you, queen?

No matter what, we’re in your corner.

With love,

The Team at The Content Queens