Business Quote by Doree Shafrir
““The need for approval from Twitter users was something that her younger self probably would have sneered at, but now she saw it as the cost of doing business. It was fine to get likes, but what she really wanted was either a retweet or, even better, a completely original tweet commending her for a job well done, preferably one from someone in the tech world whose work she respected and who, ideally, had hundreds of thousands of followers. If the only people who liked the tweet were “eggs”—people whose Twitter presence was so lame that they hadn’t even bothered uploading avatars, or spambots, or both—she sometimes deleted the tweet.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, “The Social Media Paradox”, 2023
Seeking validation from high‑profile users becomes a costly habit, while low‑value engagement feels meaningless, leading to self‑censorship and content removal.
In simple terms: Chasing likes from influential people can trap you in a cycle of approval‑seeking and erode confidence.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize authentic impact over vanity metrics.
Themes
validation
social media
self‑esteem
content creation
Mood
anxious
reflective
determined
Type
advice
observational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- marketing strategy
- personal branding
- online community management
- mental health
- content curation
Key Concepts
approval bias
digital reputation
social proof
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you measure success by who sees your work or by its intrinsic value?
- How can you shift focus from vanity metrics to meaningful impact?
A Different Perspective
Relying on elite approval can limit reach and stifle genuine expression.
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