• Loading stock data...
Sunday, September 7, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!

Addressing the Challenges of Working in Social Media

challenges-working-social-media

Subscribe: iTunes | SoundCloud

Working in social media is no easy task. From long hours and negative comments to having to deal with being understaffed in more cases than not, being the face of the digital brand is not as easy as people would like to think. (Yeah, most of the people behind the account aren’t interns.)

In a candid conversation, Amara Baptist and Shahbaz Khan discuss mental health struggles while working in social, challenges working in the field, and much more.

Edited highlights appear below:

On Reading vs. Not Reading the Mentions (2:47)

Amara: “It really does take a toll on you. I think the thing with social media is it feels a lot bigger than I think it really is. It’s a huge thing, everybody’s on there, but it feels like everyone in the world is telling you that you’re awful and taking their frustrations out on you because we’re so invested and so involved.”

Shahbaz: “I think it’s multifaceted. You work for the team, so obviously you want them to succeed, right? Then things don’t go according to plan and that takes a toll by itself. I’ll say, in my time with the Kings, we did some stuff that was amazing. I’m still to this day so proud of what we did in Sacramento. A lot of ideas are shut down — not internally, but from a fan perspective — because of the negativity that’s out there, so it kind of hinders some of the creativity and some of the ideas that you’re willing to execute.”

On Struggling With Anxiety (12:06)

Shahbaz: “I’ve been in a place where, quite honestly, I was depressed and I’ve struggled with anxiety, not solely due to (reading the mentions), but it doesn’t necessarily help to read those all the time. And so putting yourself in a place where you’re able to separate those as much as possible, focus on a lot of the positive comments, and the positivity that’s out there is a good thing.”

“I think more than anything, it’s super important to know who you’re working with and trust them. The amount of time you spend with your coworkers is so insane. You probably see them more than your family, so you just need to know to trust them. If you’re having some internal struggles or you’re having some creativity issues, go to them and trust each other.”

Social on the Sidelines is Presented to You By:

On Managing a Staff (14:08)

Amara: “I think it’s important to take these things into consideration for people in manager or director positions that aren’t doing the grunt work every day — that this does take a toll and that they need to be conscious. Sometimes the coordinator or the person that’s constantly engulfed in this place of social media might need a break or a day off. I think this is also really important when you’re you’re hiring interns.”

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

On Biggest Struggle in Career in NBA (25:41)

Amara: “My biggest struggle since working in social media has been that since our jobs are largely based on metrics, I find that sometimes carries over to my personal life, which I really don’t like. If I’m on Instagram and I post a photo, my brain immediately goes to how many people like this, and I think there’s so much that’s really stressful in itself because you’re already judging yourself on the work that you’re doing, and then it goes over to your personal life.”

Shahbaz: “For me, it was probably the switch from Sacramento back to Minnesota. There’s a lot of different strategies and ways that I would have to go about the job that’s different than what I’m currently doing. It’s one of the things that’s unique about our jobs and one of the things that I prided myself on in going from Minneapolis to Sacramento the first time and being able to implement a new strategy in Sacramento was something that I thought was a lot of fun and something I looked forward to. Then, coming back after some of the stuff that we were able to do in Sacramento, I put too much internal pressure on myself to try to live up to a standard that everything that we were doing needed to be humorous and then taking a step back pretty much two days in and realizing that, ‘Okay, you’re not in Sacramento anymore.’ There’s a completely different organizational tone.”

Love what we are doing? Help us grow and get in front of more people by subscribing below and leaving a review! 

iTunes | SoundCloud

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Angel Reese

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.
Tennis

The US Open Is Groaning Under the Weight of Its Own Success

New York’s tennis major is more popular than ever.
Valkyries

Valkyries Are Only Latest WNBA Team To Be Displaced in Playoffs

Several important playoff series have been moved over the years.

Featured Today

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 2, 2025

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.

Office Hours: Alex Magleby, co-founder and CEO of the New England Free..

Alex Magleby, the New England Free Jacks co-founder and CEO, is bullish on rugby’s future in the U.S. and Major League Rugby.
July 22, 2020

Office Hours: Devon Kennard, Real Estate Investor

Devon Kennard has found success on and off the field with a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio that includes 14 different properties.
August 13, 2020

Office Hours: Bart Conner, Owner of Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy and Former..

Bart Conner is the only American male gymnast to win a gold medal at every level of national and international competition.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
July 7, 2020

Office Hours: Isaac Rochell, Founder, Local Human

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Isaac Rochell, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end and founder of apparel company Local Human.
June 17, 2020

Office Hours: Brent Celek, Owner, Pando Mortgage

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Brent Celek, former NFL tight end turned real estate investor and Owner of Pando Mortgage.
May 27, 2020

Office Hours: Justin Forsett, CEO & Co-Founder, Hustle Clean

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Justin Forsett, former NFL running back turned CEO & Co-Founder of Hustle Clean.
March 18, 2020

Office Hours: Rich Antoniello, Founder and CEO, Complex Networks

Rich Antionello, founder and CEO of Complex, discusses sports, media and the life of an entrepreneur.