Ask HN: Is it possible to succeed without social media?

Is it possible to be a successful person without a social media presence?

In the modern age, it seems you need social media for exposure. If you have a business, it seems the trend now is to create TikTok videos and other kinds of social media content to build and maintain awareness. If you have a skill, it also appears you need social media to announce yourself to potential employers or clients.

Personally, I'd prefer if I didn't have to do all that, but is that not a losing strategy?

How was it before the advent of social media, and do those methods no longer work as much as they used to?

Is using social media actively a "join the train or get left behind" thing?

If yes, how to do it while limiting your digital footprint?