Why We Trust Strangers Online

Social media has changed how we consume content, but has it also changed how we connect with people? In this episode, Gabriel Gomez, Head of Social & Creators at MCOBeauty, joins me for an honest conversation about the internet through the eyes of someone who is both a marketer and a consumer.  We get into fan edits and creator culture, parasocial relationships, and why people behave differently online than they do in person. We also talk about why some content makes us feel more involved in a stranger's life than we realize, and what that means for brands trying to earn genuine attention. If you've ever caught yourself feeling like you actually know a creator you've never met (been there), this one will help you get why. Highlights: (00:00) Introduction (01:19) Meet Gabriel as both consumer & marketer (03:44) Fan Edit Culture: Why it’s a huge opportunity for brands (06:17) Balancing entertainment and information (10:30) Shiny object marketing (11:46) Why brands need a face, not just a logo (16:41) How parasocial bonds make audiences care (21:22) How LinkedIn reshaped Gabriel’s creative approach (23:56) The Myth of “Easy” Social Marketing Resources: Hear more from me in the Stop the Scroll Newsletter: https://briannadoe.substack.com/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-doe/  Gabriel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabegomezdigital  Gabriel’s Substack: https://makeitmakesensegabe.substack.com/  MCOBeauty’s LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/mcobeauty  MCOBeauty Website: https://mcobeauty.com/