Legacy vs. Likes: Mike Smith’s Guide to Honesty in Social Media

Legacy vs. likes, what’s more important? For business, this can be a tough question to answer because, sure, we all want to leave a legacy and make the world a better place, but likes and recognition are also super important to have a successful enterprise, right? 

What if we told you that likes are not a direct reflection of your business’s visibility or success? And that legacy can be achieved while still having a compelling but honest marketing strategy?


In this Mindwest Mindset podcast episode, Matt and Ben are joined by Mike Smith, storyteller, community builder, guide, and author of “Legacy vs. Likes,” to discuss the world of social media and the possible harm of validation through likes.

Legacy vs. Likes_ A Conversation with Mike Smith

The Story of Legacy vs. Likes

So, how did Mike’s book come about? “Legacy vs. Likes” explores the social media vortex, highlighting the issues that come along with it, especially for younger people.

Mike has spotted a worrying trend – the way we’re getting sucked into social media and how it’s altering our behavior.

And with more adults hopping onto the social media train than ever before, the desire to become influencers isn’t just a childish idea; it’s an adult’s dream as well. 

Read the full transcript.

A lot of the adults online right now have grown with the influence of social media, so it’s no surprise that current young adults and new parents want to be influencers and are, in some way or another, influencers of social media.  

The Internet has changed the game of how we see each other and everything around us. It paints a picture of what’s cool, what’s acceptable, and what’s beautiful. However, this is a very distorted, unreal image.

The New Generation

With the internet and social media being an integral part of their daily lives, Gen Z has a unique way of interacting and connecting with the world. 

They see these platforms not merely as a medium to showcase their lives but as a tool to engage, learn, and express themselves.

This doesn’t exclude them from the toxic behavior of social media and “likes” driven interaction. 

They are also more aware of brands’ values and the legacy they intend to leave in the world, making it harder for businesses to stay relevant across different generations.

So, how can we make sure to stay relevant across all generations while still making an impact?

First, we need to understand something: Like are not that important

Legacy vs. Likes two brothers creative

Legacy vs. Likes

In today’s landscape, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game. The number of likes, shares, and followers can seem like an equivalent of success. 

And while they might look impressive on the surface, they don’t necessarily translate into real-world results or long-term success.

A legacy is about making a lasting impact that goes beyond our lifetimes. It’s about building authenticity, consistency, and true values and making our content reflect that. 

That’s how we leave a legacy.

Entertainment vs. Quality

We live in an age where social media platforms are evolving into entertainment powerhouses; much like TV channels or Netflix, brands are looking for ways to stay relevant. 

This shift has driven brands to pump out high volumes of content to keep their audiences hooked. However, this rush for relevance often sacrifices quality for quantity, and on many occasions, users won’t stick to receiving poor-quality content.

While entertaining content might capture attention, it’s the quality that keeps audiences coming back for more.

Legacy vs. Likes: How to Build a Legacy

Now comes the million-dollar question: Can we build a legacy online? In a space full of fake influencers and photoshopped pictures, how do we carve out a lasting presence?

To build a lasting legacy, brands must focus on targeting the right people with quality content and maintaining consistency, But how can we achieve it?

More Legacy and Less Likes

Here are some key steps to building a true and honest social media presence that will keep your audience hooked.

Self-awareness

Knowing who you are and what you stand for is the first step; have a clear vision of what you offer and how you help others. 

Are you selling a product or service? Are you reaching out to people who genuinely benefit from what you offer? 

These questions can help you align your social media strategy with your purpose.

Core Values

Identify your brand’s core values and ensure they are reflected in every aspect of your social media presence. 

These values act as your guiding principles and will help you stay true to your brand.

At Two Brothers Creative, for example, we believe that everyone deserves affordable and efficient marketing. 

Legacy vs. Likes book Mike Smith

Know Your Audience

Who are you trying to help or engage with?

Understanding your target audience is crucial for effective communication. Are your posts reaching them? If not, it might be time to revisit your content strategy or explore different platforms.

Website Quality

Think of your website as your digital storefront. If someone stumbles upon it, what will their impression be? 

Is it easy to navigate? Does it provide useful information? 

A quality website not only reflects positively on your brand but also helps in lead generation and conversions.

Content Quality

In the rush to stay relevant, quality often takes a backseat. 

But remember, content is everything. High-quality content that resonates with your audience can drive engagement, foster loyalty, and elevate your brand above the competition.

Soaical media likes vs legacy

The True Power of Authenticity on “Legacy vs. Likes”

Mike emphasizes the need for authenticity and staying true to one’s values, even in the face of fleeting trends and the constant pursuit of likes.

Remember, it’s impossible to please everyone. Instead, focus on resonating with the right people – those who align with your values and appreciate your authenticity and honesty, those who actually find your content valuable and useful. 

While likes and shares provide instant gratification, they are fleeting and don’t necessarily translate into a lasting impact.

Turning Failures into Legacy

Now, let’s talk about failure; it happens to the best of us. But here’s the thing – failure isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s an important part of the journey.

Mistakes will happen, it’s what you do after you’ve stumbled that really counts. So, dust yourself off, learn from it, and get back in the game. 

The way you react to setbacks will talk about who you are as a business. After all, it’s not about how many times you fall but how many times you get back up.

Two Brothers Creative podcast omaha

Legacy vs. Likes: The Two Brothers Case

For us, what defines us is a real wish to help companies; we believe marketing should be affordable and easy to understand.

We don’t believe in marketing companies that overcharge to present results that most people won’t understand. 

Our dream? To build a company that’s in the business of helping other businesses. We’re not just here to make a quick buck. We want to help your business flourish through awesome content that makes a real impact.

Our legacy and quality content? From our podcast, free PDFs, blogs, and everything we do, we do it to inform and make a better environment for entrepreneurs looking to expand their marketing.  

The Easy Box

Looking for ways to grow your business? Don’t spend unnecessary time on marketing; focus on becoming a better leader and entrepreneur; leave the rest to us! 

With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content. 

Forget all about long hours and marketing failure; this is marketing made easy.