As the digital world spins relentlessly forward, Meta has launched a fresh player in the social media field called Threads. But let's pause and explore the deeper truth as we dive into this new frontier—or perhaps, just another repeat of the past.

Exploring Threads: A New or Familiar Journey?

As I navigate Threads, the latest offering from Meta—the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram—I am struck by its seamless integration. It effortlessly brings over my Instagram profile, providing an impressive and smooth start. Despite the freshness of Threads, it feels oddly familiar. Much like exploring a new city that carries echoes of home.

However, as I delve deeper into this novel territory, I am reminded of an age-old wisdom in the digital space. The adage that, regardless of what platform you use, driving traffic to your own domain should always be a priority. It's a principle that has proven its value time and again. This, I believe, is where true digital freedom lies.

The Perils of Putting All Your Digital Eggs in One Basket

A few years back, I suffered a harsh lesson about the dangers of platform dependence. I lost control of my verified Facebook account, which had nearly a million followers, to hackers. Despite the sheer size of my audience and my frantic efforts—which included a trip to Facebook's headquarters—it took months to regain control. It was a chilling reminder of the unpredictability and insecurity that can come with reliance on third-party platforms.

As I ponder the journey ahead with Threads, this past experience serves as a stark reminder. Yes, I fully intend to use Threads just like I use all other platforms. It's a fantastic opportunity to reach and connect with my audience. But the true power of audience building doesn't lie in accruing followers on platforms where control can be wrestled away from you in an instant.

Building Your Digital Raincatchers: The Power of Independent Connections

True audience building, as I have come to understand, is about establishing connections outside these platforms. This is where your own website and email list come into the picture. Consider the social platforms as stages where you perform, attracting and engaging with your audience. But when the show ends, your audience should have a place to go - your domain, where the experience is personal, unique, and entirely under your control.

Imagine each social platform as a cloud, ready to pour down the rain of audience engagement. Your task is to build your raincatchers—your website and email list. These are your safeguards, ensuring that no matter what happens on the vast, unpredictable stage of social media, you can maintain connections with your audience.

So, as I embark on the journey with Threads, I do so with a clear understanding. I'll use this new frontier to connect, engage, and grow my audience, but I'll always remember to drive them to my own domain. After all, in the vast landscape of the internet, it's crucial to stake our claim and build our own digital homestead.

Let's explore this new frontier together, but never forget to build and maintain our independent connections. No matter where we meet—on Threads or elsewhere—let's always find ways to stay connected. And remember, true digital freedom is about more than just exploring new frontiers. It's about building something truly ours in the ever-changing digital landscape.

Visit steveryan.com/freedom and get some free resources on How to Design Your Path to Freedom and my threads account is https://www.threads.net/@steveryanband