Social media, social media, social media. Those two words ring in my head every day, and with every passing day, I am optimistic. However, it is not always a good thing. Have you seen how many horrible comments Rebecca Black has gotten? Not to mention bad press. Speaking from a “business” point of view, she has had excellent marketing, and oh I am sure the money she is making is fantastic! However, in reality, if you were to create something that were to go viral and all over the internet, there is bound to be people who like you, and people who do not.

Like Lady Sovereign’s song “Love Me Or Hate Me”, that is how it is most of the times. I myself, personally, use my Facebook and blog for work purposes and to share what I personally think/view things. And yes with the power of the internet, word and information spread like wildfire. A whole variety of people read and some people like it while other people do not. Out of these “happy readers” and others who think “Wow, this girl is incredibly stupid and a waste of space on the internet”, I have received a ridiculous amount of feedback that range from a 10 on the “positivity” chart, to a -15 on that chart, which in actuality translates into “I hate you Holly Grabarek.”

In fact, I think with social media comes criticism. Publicity (anything “published” in any medium” to people apart from your own mind that has created the work), I would say is synonymous with criticism. And criticism can come in one hundred and one different forms. Like having a million puppies jumping all over you, it can come from Facebook comments, to tweets, and comments on your blog. With most of those avenues being very personal, it can, and might, hurt a little at first. I remember the first time I saw a tweet that said “I hate the new MTV VJ Holly she has no personality”. My right finger started to hurt in a weird way it had never hurt before. Ow! That tweet cut me! That was the first, and with more occasional mean comments, I realized that “Hey, at least people recognize that I am doing something.” And with good friends to reassure me that I am an “OK” person and the fact that I can spell my name backwards, gives me at least 1% of character. However, I think that being able to deal with any negative comments is the first step.

Putting yourself out there do come with a price.

I choose to distance myself from things that don’t progress me, but the fact that it is there, means that if and when you make your mark somewhere, anywhere, you have to be aware that you are an amazing and talented person. Painting an elephant purple, if you wish and like to, do it! There will be people who will be calling you “color blind”, but if that is what your mind has constructed it to be, then it is your creation and it is more beautiful than the perfectly traced rose on mass sold birthday cards. Growing up, I remember saying to my friends “Maybe the sky is purple, and we’re all actually colorblind!” So with social media, you will be baring your soul (depending on how much you want to show, that is), and people WILL throw darts to ruin it, while others will commend you on your talent and blessing to this world, so be ready! Buy an armor off Ebay.com and it is time to show the world what you are made out of!

If beauty lies in the eye of the beholder then everything I have ever done is perfect.