Viva La Anti-Cringe: A Social Media Rebellion for Entrepreneurs

I spent an afternoon with a friend who’s aiming to be the next big influencer—and I was exhausted just watching her. Every like, comment, and view gave her this dopamine rush. She couldn’t finish her lunch without staging it, filtering it, and posting it with just the right hashtags. I was halfway through my bagel while she was still finding the perfect angle for her OOTD.

That’s when it hit me: we’re living in a digital world where clout is currency. And while I’m not trying to become a viral sensation for my food choice, as a marketing consultant, I can’t totally ignore the platforms where my audience is spending hours each day. So no, we’re not unplugging—but we are rebelling.

Because social media doesn’t have to be shallow, spammy, or soul-draining. Not if we take the reins.

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🗳️ Annoying or Amazing?

Let’s play a quick round of “Annoying or Amazing?” We’ll call out a few social media trends and you decide—eye roll or applause?

• 💅 Perfectly curated morning routines with 27 steps — Annoying or Amazing?

• 🔥 The “Here’s a pic of me in a suspiciously low-cut outfit…” with a deep caption about mindset. — Annoying or Amazing?

• 🧠 That one carousel that taught you something useful — Annoying or Amazing?

• 👯 The small biz that gives you behind-the-scenes chaos and real-life wins — Annoying or Amazing?

  
  

👉 Spoiler: the good stuff usually feels more real than rehearsed.

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So, what does anti-cringe content look like?

Here’s your rebel starter kit for content that connects, not clutters:

✅ Motivation with a pulse

Let’s retire those recycled quotes slapped on beige stock backgrounds. Real motivation comes from your story, your grit, your almost-gave-up-but-didn’t moment. Talk about the client that changed everything. The unexpected pivot that saved your sanity. Or the random thing you heard on a podcast that lit a fire under you. Authentic energy is contagious.

✅ Community > Clout

You don’t need a million followers to start a movement—you just need a message that matters. Skip the follower chase and focus on engaging your existing community. Invite conversation. Celebrate wins. Create space for the “me too” moments. That “You’re not alone” post might be exactly what someone needed that day.

✅ Real talk content

Post that meme. Screenshot that client text (anonymized, of course). Share your daily chaos, your small victories, your awkward moments. Because guess what? People love seeing the human behind the brand. When you’re real, you become relatable—and that’s what builds trust.

✅ Timely truth bombs

Don’t shy away from the moment. Whether it’s industry news, cultural shifts, or the weird thing that everyone is suddenly obsessed with (hello, AI everything), your audience wants to know where you stand. Have an opinion. Say the thing. Be present—not just scheduled.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present in a way that cuts through the fluff. That’s the rebellion. Less “look at me,” more “I see you.”

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If you're ready to stop shouting into the digital void and connect with your audience, we’re here to help you make it happen—minus the cringe. ✊

📩 Email debbieg@bizmadeez.com and let’s make marketing feel good again.

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This blog was created in collaboration with Tess Maribao of WorQ Out LLC,my go-to anti-cringe content marketing and storyteller extraordinaire. Tess helps entrepreneurs craft social media, blogs, and email campaigns that are in your voice—not a jargon-filled robot.