Being Online Is Hard: Quickie

It’s tough to be a human in 2025. To be American doesn’t shine the greatest light to the rest of the world, even though the current government doesn’t represent the entirety of the citizens it swore to represent.

That’s just one aspect of the problem. The ones who show up online to entertain, are branded ‘influencers’. But what’s their purpose? Because from my end, it seems they are merely drifting through life with the intent of merely existing.

Take any of the fitness influencers, the one with ripped bods who claim to be gym coaches and try to inspire people to kickstart their own health journeys. But then the sponsors come in and that’s all their platform is now, merely promotional.

It’s the same deal with Car TikTok or Car Instagram. I don’t care about a 2013 Ford Mustang that you use for a commute, if you don’t do anything with it. If your purpose is more symbolic and the use of the Mustang is greater than its own existence, then you have my attention.

Meanwhile, my purpose is two-fold. I sell cars and write about cars. I juggle between freelance opportunities, the dealership full-time, and the growth of Sped, which aims to tie in all three.

But it’s hard. You have to be that one person to stand out, with consistent branding, and a consistent message.

I’ve wanted to push our Vibe Checks, Mazda Mondays, Quickies, Hold Fast, and whatever else I can think of for some time now. Obviously, that still takes some figuring out.

But when it all comes together, I want you — the reader — to be entertained and wowed to the point that you want to buy a car from me. So I can geek out on behalf of high product knowledge and provide too-tier customer service.

I see it, I picture it in my head, I believe with all my heart that it can happen. But I’m also guarded because wearing my heart on my sleeve has seen negative consequences. Some days, I wish it was as simple as picking up the cord phone in your car to call your friends to let them know you’ll be six minutes late for lunch because in your head, you’re the star of the group.

Finding balance is key. Finding fame is statistically difficult, making closing every sale the easy part.

One breath at a time, one step at a time, we’ll get there together. Kudos to you early readers for sticking around.

-TA