2018 NPAA Magazine 2018 NPAA Magazine - This is Our Sport | Page 56

The
Power
of Social
Media.
How to use social media
to your advantage
By Alicia Chiesa
Social media is more powerful than ever and it has thrust the
fitness industry into the spotlight like never before. Most of
today’s fitness stars were born through the likes of Twitter,
Instagram and Facebook with some reaching followings in
the millions. As a fitness competitor, social media platforms
are a great tool to use to promote yourself and build your
brand in the industry. I know that I would not be where I
am today or have the incredible sponsorships that I do if it
weren’t for social media and how I used it to my advantage
following my first fitness competition.
Social media is a great means to not only promote yourself,
but to motivate and inspire others as well. I find that the more
real and open you are, the more relatable you will be and
therefore the more followers you will gain. I personally like to
share both my triumphs and struggles with my followers to
show that there is more than what you see on the surface.
Don’t get me wrong, no one likes to read about negativity
constantly, but sharing a bit of your story and obstacles
you’ve faced will connect you with many more people than
acting like everything is perfect all the time will.
It’s important to remember that young people may be looking
up to you as a role model and closely following your every
move on social channels. As a natural athlete, this is a big
responsibility to me. I want to show people that you can be
healthy, fit and successful naturally. Yes, I may fluctuate in
weight from time to time and have my struggles, but I hope
that I can inspire and encourage others to live a natural,
healthy lifestyle. You never know who you may be influencing
on social media, so try to keep that in mind with your posts.
One case of social media gone wrong that has recently
been in the media is that of a famous model who posted a
Snapchat of a naked woman in the gym locker room with
a degrading comment. Keep in mind that everything can
(and will) be screenshot in this day and age. Someone took
a screenshot of this post and the model was sentenced to
community work and probation. Body shaming or shaming
on social media in general is never okay. It’s never okay to
post videos of others at the gym putting them down or to
bash other’s physiques or progress. Spread positivity and
kind words on social platforms, not negativity and hate.
53.