Courage & Clarity Podcast – Episode 129: Is Social Media Worth Your Time in 2025?

Hosted by Steph Crowder

In Episode 129 of the Courage & Clarity podcast, host Steph Crowder delves into the pertinent question facing many entrepreneurs and business owners today: "Is social media worth your time in 2025?" Drawing from her extensive experience as a business coach and her personal journey with platforms like Instagram, Steph offers insightful analysis, practical strategies, and motivational perspectives to help listeners navigate the evolving landscape of social media.

1. Introduction: Tackling the Relevance of Social Media

Steph opens the episode by addressing a common concern among her clients and peers: the diminishing returns and increasing frustration associated with maintaining a presence on platforms like Instagram. She acknowledges feelings of discouragement stemming from low engagement rates and the significant time investment required, questioning whether the effort is justified in the current digital climate.

“Is Instagram really worth our time anymore?” (02:15)

2. Evolution of Instagram: From 2011 to 2025

Reflecting on her long-term engagement with Instagram, Steph reminisces about the platform's early days—characterized by heavily filtered, grainy photos and a more casual, personal sharing style. She chronicles Instagram's transformation into a vital business tool, emphasizing its role in building communities and serving as a digital business card.

“Instagram can be a place where… you have your website, but you also have this shingle that you've hung out on social media.” (12:45)

Steph highlights the platform's shifting dynamics, noting how initial explosive growth and early adopter advantages have given way to a more saturated and competitive environment.

3. The Concept of "Lurkers" and Attention as Currency

One of the pivotal insights Steph shares is the emergence of the "lurker"—users who consume content without actively engaging through likes or comments. She introduces the idea that attention has become the new currency on social media, shifting the focus from visible interactions to the mere presence in users' minds.

“2025 is the year of the lurker. Your community is there. They're watching.” (27:30)

This paradigm shift underscores the importance of consistent visibility over traditional metrics of engagement, challenging creators to rethink how they measure success.

4. Changing Perspectives: From Validation to Leadership

Steph candidly discusses her personal struggle with seeking external validation through social media interactions. She admits to feeling disheartened when her posts garnered fewer likes and comments, leading her to temporarily withdraw from the platform.

“I'm changing my perspective moving forward… the platform is just part of the equation.” (45:10)

Realizing that the issue wasn't with Instagram itself but with her expectations and usage habits, Steph resolves to embrace a leadership role rather than chasing validation. She emphasizes that true leadership involves showing up consistently, regardless of immediate feedback.

“Leadership is launching forth before success is certain.” (54:20)

5. Addressing Common Concerns: Time Investment and Saturation

Steph empathetically addresses the common sentiment of social media saturation, where business owners feel that the platform is overcrowded and growth is unattainable. She counters this by comparing the evolution of podcasts, highlighting that increased competition often coincides with a broader audience and greater overall opportunities.

“There's never been this many people out there listening to podcasts, and that can be really exciting.” (35:40)

By reframing the narrative, Steph encourages listeners to view increased saturation as a sign of a mature and expansive market rather than a barrier to entry.

6. Strategies for Effective Social Media Use: 100-Day Challenge and Tool Recommendations

To demonstrate her renewed commitment to social media, Steph announces a 100-day challenge where she will post consistently on Instagram and TikTok. She shares her strategy to maintain balance and prevent burnout by utilizing two key tools:

• Brick: A physical device that blocks distracting apps to enhance focus.

  “Brick helps me so much. And the second tool is Later.” (58:45)

• Later: A scheduling program that allows her to plan and automate content posting.

  “You can have a social media presence strategically without being present on social media all the time.” (1:02:10)

These tools enable Steph to create content efficiently while limiting the time spent mindlessly scrolling, fostering a healthier and more productive relationship with social media.

7. Conclusion: Social Media's Continued Value in Thought Leadership

In her concluding remarks, Steph firmly asserts that social media remains indispensable for thought leadership. She argues that maintaining a presence is crucial for establishing authority, guiding communities, and staying top-of-mind with potential clients—even if traditional engagement metrics have waned.

“If you're trying to be a thought leader, if you're trying to be a voice in your industry, social media is not optional.” (1:10:30)

Steph encourages listeners to embrace the platform as a stage for their leadership, emphasizing that the true impact often occurs beyond visible interactions, through the intangible yet powerful effect of consistent presence.

“You have a pulpit. You have an opportunity to have your own stage.” (1:12:00)

Key Takeaways

• Shift in Metrics: Move from seeking likes and comments to valuing consistent presence and attention.

• Leadership Over Validation: Focus on leading and providing value rather than chasing external approval.

• Strategic Engagement: Utilize tools to manage social media use effectively, balancing presence with productivity.

• Embrace Lurkers: Recognize the silent audience that absorbs content and trust in the broader impact of your message.

Final Thoughts

Steph Crowder’s Episode 129 serves as both a reflective and forward-looking guide for entrepreneurs grappling with the evolving role of social media. By advocating for a mindset shift from validation to leadership and offering practical tools for effective engagement, Steph empowers her listeners to harness the enduring value of platforms like Instagram in building and sustaining their businesses in 2025 and beyond.

For more insights and to follow Steph Crowder’s 100-day social media journey, connect with her on Instagram @StephCrowder.