In the old days, the idea of accessing the whole world without even leaving your bedroom would have sounded crazy, but today that is the reality we live in.
Since launching my online platform “Awakened Woman” about five years ago, I have reached over 100,000 Arab women with my content and revolutionary ideas—which has directly shown me that any ambitious woman with value to contribute to the world can tap into this online global network and potentially succeed in shaping a whole generation.
Yet, while the internet gives access, it does not promise growth.
For most, the challenges end soon after the launch. However, having hoped for immediate fame and fortune, many find themselves disappointed as they compare the slow growth on their platforms to that of those they have been following online for years.
A friend who recently decided to focus on one of these social media platforms wrote to me, saying, “I’ve been trying this Instagram thing, but I have to say it is intimidating.” Although she has been posting regularly, her “follower-ship” hasn’t increased much. With stellar degrees from Columbia and the London School of Economics, perhaps she assumed her education and experience working for the likes of BBC and Al Jazeera would open up doors in this online world.
But they don’t—because the online world does not operate on the basis of who you know or what you’ve showcased on your CV.
It depends on just one thing: YOU — how you present yourself, the value you contribute to the world, and how courageous you are to share your story and your ideas in a way that is innovative, fresh, and at least a little entertaining.
In other words—though many might not think of it as such—social media is, in fact, anti-elitist. It largely panders to the possibility of self-made “heroes”, be it in the Arab world or beyond.
But though it is mostly a democratic space (and I say mostly because we have witnessed a surge in censorship in recent years), it certainly has elites like any other network—those with the most impact.
On social media, this elite includes those who earn the blue tick or cross milestones like one million followers.
But for most, this doesn’t happen overnight. It comes with perseverance, consistency, and a world vision you provide to your online community.
No degree or work experience is going to get you to the top, although it’s true that my growth increased during the few weeks I cited my education at Oxford, Columbia, and the LSE—perhaps giving my profile more credibility.
But the growth did not depend on these degrees; it happened gradually as I posted videos, photos, and messages, week after week for five solid years.
In addition to the process mentioned above, it depended on my understanding of each platform and the content I had to share with my communities on each one: YouTube being more educational, Instagram being more personal, and Facebook being more “clickbait” oriented for reaching the masses.
The growth also depended on my interactions and authenticity. It depended on my boldness to talk about taboo topics like the hijab, women’s cycles, menstruation, and even dating.
The more I spoke my mind, shared my heart and learnings, and showed up, the more my online presence expanded. More people began to trust my coaching, training, and the value I could bring to their lives.
My story is just one among many who have found exponential success in the online world.
Other unique channels of Arab women I follow include Khateera, Shadana Yoga, Sarah Refai and Fly With Haifa, all reflecting how women entrepreneurs and content creators in the Arab world are tapping into the infinite potential of the digital world.
Allowing us an infinite space to grow, express, and create, the internet and the fast-paced nature of the online world mean one thing for Arab women: A window out of a limited reality.
And what’s more is that working online—as opposed to any other kind of conventional work—allows women to create the structure and flow that suits them and fits their needs and requirements, which tend to be different from men’s.
The cultural or financial limitations, which have been the excuses to play small or fit in the mould of larger outdated institutions, have been broken by the limitless entrepreneurial potential of the online world.
With just a phone in hand, a whole universe of growth opens up for you.
So, if you’re reading this, wondering if you can be one of these Arab women, my answer to you is this: If you want to be, yes!
And if you are already stepping up in your power, with your online presence, I see you, sister, and together we can change the world.
Madiha Bee, transformational coach, founder of Awakened Woman
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