Just Say It…

Recently I’ve been on a mission: to uncover the questions experts, executives, and entrepreneurs have about personal branding and thought leadership. Talking to top players in tech, product, and more, I’ve found that so many wildly brilliant and impressive folks—all of whom have a unique and highly valuable POV—don’t know where to start when it comes to sharing online.

They worry about saying the wrong thing, or being judged, or getting canceled—or even about conveying their authenticity. And rightfully so.

Sharing online can be incredibly scary, particularly when you feel like you have something to lose (say, credibility). Or scary because you’re putting your heart into your thoughts and onto the page. But the truth is, if you’ve accomplished something you deem valuable, others want to hear about it. Note, too, that, just as was the case in high school, no one’s nearly as concerned with what you’re doing as you are. Much of the judgment you fear is probably in your head.

You may be thinking to yourself, “easier said than done.” With that in mind, here are a few steps to start putting yourself out there with confidence.

Take Action. 

Unfortunately there’s no immediate cure for the anxiety you may be feeling. The first step is to take action. Shaking the “Sharing Scaries” requires getting your reps in: actually putting something out there—and doing it more than once—to prove to yourself that the world needs your insight. So, share, and then do it again and again. Every time you post, it will get a little less daunting. You’ll see that the spotlight isn’t shining squarely on you, particularly at first (for better or for worse). Plus, you’ll get vital feedback on what your audience is most interested in, right from the source.

Find Your Voice.

A large part of what makes you valuable to your IRL network is your humanity—even if you’re in the most technical of fields. Make sure that authenticity comes through in what you publish online. What’s unique about your perspective and the way you deliver it in conversation? Is it contrarian, associative, humorous? Do you draw on analogies or anecdotes to make your point?  Those unique qualities should be present in your content too. Add flavor with words or turns of phrases you tend to use in conversation.

Be Open. 

People want to hear your story—especially the parts you feel vulnerable sharing. The big idea that turned out to be a flop, the embarrassing setbacks that led to a powerful solution, the overlap between life and work and the realization that helped you make headway in both. I’m not suggesting you overshare—offering up diary entries or stuff you wouldn’t want your mom to read (though that might get you some traction online, not gonna lie). All you need to do is be real, talking about the stuff we all need to overcome to get where we are. And usually that gives you that pit-in-the-stomach feeling. Sometimes, it’s there to let you know you’re in the right place (and outside of your comfort zone).

There’s plenty more to explore when it comes to your brand and voice. It’s an art and a science, and I’ll talk about both components in depth soon. But until then, know that speaking up doesn’t have to be scary. The difficult truth, though, is that your fear won’t subside until you do it.

What questions do you have about conquering the “Sharing Scaries”?

One Last Note

If you’re looking for top-notch tech talent to support your business so you have more energy to focus on your brand, I can’t recommend DevsHub enough (this is not an ad, just an endorsement by a proud friend). Run by my friend and longtime supporter Karolina Stawinska, DevsHub offers rapid talent and emergency talent-matching and onboarding, diverse expertise (advanced tech systems, fintech solutions, mobile app development, government projects), and extremely competitive pricing, and a portfolio of world-class clients, from Apple to Google If you’re interested, you can reach Karolina at karolina@devshub.co. Let her know I sent you.