Social Media Dos and Don'ts From the Queen of the Internet

By Lisette Mejia

Updated on 3/18/2015 at 12:35 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Lisette Mejia
POPSUGAR Photography | Lisette Mejia

If anyone can dish about how to keep your social media game on point, it's Michelle Phan. The beauty vlogger reaches more than seven million followers on YouTube, is the author of a hugely popular book, founder of the video channel FAWN (For All Women Network), and owns a line of beauty products called EM Cosmetics. Naturally, she has thousands of fans who adore her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and now Meerkat. During SXSW, she sat down with us to talk about her top dos and don'ts for social posting. Ready to memorize 'em?

  • Don't feel pressured to post pics just to get validation.
  • Do have fun . . . if you start feeling anxious or insecure because you're not getting enough likes, it's not fun anymore.
  • Don't ever post a belfie. No one needs to see that, and it perpetuates self-consciousness.
  • Do experiment with the latest apps — like Meerkat.
  • Don't post something you wouldn't want your grandparents or kids to see. (ie. the belfie shot.)
  • Do take a break from social media regularly, like on the weekends, and realize when it's consuming your life too much. If you're someone who needs to have a constant social presence online, schedule posts when you're offline through services like Tweetdeck.

The only rule that really matters though, she says, is to stay genuine and real. In a world where people try to show each other up with the best "look at how cool my life is" photos, that's simple but solid advice.