Why I Deactivated My Instagram Account

New Year’s Day feels like the perfect time to clean house, doesn’t it? So, I’m starting 2025 by deactivating my Instagram account.

Here’s why.

A couple of weeks ago, I published an article called Three Trump Tactics to Build Your Brand. It was all about strategy—how to stand out, command attention, and build loyalty. But a lot of people couldn’t separate the strategy from the politics, and the backlash was wild.

Even the ones who admitted the article was clearly about strategy somehow still found a way to get mad—mostly because I attended the event and posted pictures with people there. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about my work; it was about me, and that’s a line I’m no longer willing to have strangers cross.

I lost a ton of followers and got an avalanche of angry DMs and comments. And at first, it stung. But then I realized the people who unfollowed or lashed out weren’t my customers. They’ve been consuming my free content for years without ever investing in my work.

But you know who does show up? The people on my email list. The ones who actually care about what I have to say and want to grow. My best clients have always come from here or through referrals, not Instagram.

So, for 2025, I’m going all in on what works: thoughtful conversations, bold ideas, and journalistic marketing that makes people think. And Instagram just isn’t built for that. It’s for pictures of cute dogs and Influencer drama.

If you’re here reading this, you’re exactly the kind of person I want to create for this year—someone who values depth, dialogue, and the occasional challenge to the status quo.

Here’s to making 2025 bigger, bolder, and better—together.

Talk soon,

-Kass