Starting from Scratch: My Journey as a Beginner on Social Media
Starting from Scratch: My Journey as a Beginner on Social Media
by Trent Matthews – Artist, Educator & Creative from NYC and Los Angeles
I’ll be honest — stepping into social media seriously for the first time feels a little intimidating. I’ve been comfortable behind the chair, in classrooms, and in creative spaces for years, but putting myself out there online? That’s new.
This blog marks the start of something I’ve avoided for a while: showing up intentionally on social media. Not just scrolling, liking, or posting here and there — but actually learning how to use it to connect, share, and grow.
It’s strange to call myself a beginner at something again, but that’s exactly what I am.
And honestly, it’s kind of exciting.
Why I’m Doing This
For a long time, I saw social media as something that belonged to influencers or digital pros — people who seemed to have a formula for success. Meanwhile, I stayed focused on in-person connection: education, artistry, and real conversation.
But lately, I’ve realized that social media isn’t just about trends or algorithms — it’s a creative space. A classroom. A community.
And if I’m being honest with myself, I’ve been missing out on the conversations happening there. The collaborations. The inspiration. The opportunity to connect with people who think the same way I do — or challenge me to see things differently.
So this is me, starting from the beginning. Learning how to use these platforms not as an obligation, but as a tool for creativity, communication, and growth.
Learning to Show Up
When I first started experimenting with social media, I felt like I was talking into the void. You post something, and you wait — wondering if anyone sees it, if it resonates, if it even matters.
But I’m beginning to understand that showing up is the real work. You can’t connect with others if you never let yourself be seen.
For me, this means learning to post without overthinking, to write without perfection, and to speak without fear of “getting it wrong.”
It also means recognizing that social media growth doesn’t happen overnight. Like anything else worth building, it’s a process — one made of small, consistent steps.
Even as someone who teaches and creates for a living, I’ve had to remind myself that being a beginner again is okay. In fact, it’s powerful.
Because beginners approach things differently. They ask questions, they make mistakes, and they learn faster because they’re not afraid to experiment.
That’s exactly where I am right now.
Building a Personal Brand (When You’re Just Starting Out)
I used to think “personal brand” meant having a perfectly curated feed and an established audience. But now I see it differently.
Your personal brand isn’t about aesthetics — it’s about authenticity. It’s what you stand for, what you care about, and how you show up for others.
So instead of focusing on followers or numbers, I’m focusing on voice. On clarity. On sharing the things that matter to me — creativity, education, curiosity, and connection.
Right now, that looks like learning to tell my story — as an artist, educator, and person figuring out the digital side of things.
If you’re also starting fresh on social media, here’s what I’m learning in real time:
Start before you feel ready. The only way to learn is to do.
Post with purpose. Share something that feels real to you, even if it’s small.
Engage genuinely. Comment, respond, connect — the algorithm rewards authenticity.
Be consistent. Growth comes from rhythm, not randomness.
I’m not an expert in social media yet, but I know what it feels like to care deeply about what you do — and that’s where branding really begins.
Finding My Community
What I love most about social media, even in this early stage, is the possibility of connection.
When you think about it, these platforms are just tools — but what we build with them depends on how we use them.
I’ve started to see how social media can connect people from different industries, cities, and walks of life. It’s a digital version of the creative community I’ve always loved in person.
As someone who’s part of the Redken Artist community, I’ve always believed in education through connection — learning from one another, sharing experiences, and lifting others up. Now, I’m just learning how to bring that same spirit online.
The more I engage, the more I realize: the people you’re meant to connect with will find you when you show up as yourself.
The Beginner’s Mindset
There’s something freeing about being new at something. You’re not weighed down by expectations. You’re open, curious, and adaptable.
That’s how I’m approaching this entire journey — as a student again. I’m watching, learning, experimenting, and refining.
Social media may be new territory, but the goal feels familiar: connection.
It’s the same reason I love teaching, creating, or collaborating. It’s about building bridges — between ideas, people, and experiences.
So yes, I’m a beginner at hashtags, posting schedules, analytics, and all that stuff — but I’m also someone who’s ready to learn.
And the cool part? There’s room to learn publicly. That’s how community forms.
A Promise to Myself
So here it is — my personal promise.
I’m dedicating myself to showing up online more intentionally. To documenting what I’m learning as I go. To using social media not just as a highlight reel, but as a space for reflection, creativity, and connection.
If you’re reading this and you’re also new to social media — whether you’re an artist, educator, stylist, or just someone figuring it out — I hope this resonates.
You don’t have to have the perfect plan. You just have to start somewhere.
This blog will be my way of doing that — a record of my growth, my experiments, and my journey toward finding my voice online.
Because sometimes, being a beginner again is the best thing that can happen to your creativity.
Here’s to learning out loud.
Here’s to connecting with others who are doing the same.
And here’s to starting something new — even when it’s scary.
Trent Matthews,
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