I’m guessing you’ve probably felt this before.
The “oooh, what are people going to think?!” feeling.
This feeling typically trips us into feeling the effects of imposter syndrome and not actually sharing the things we’re excited to be working on with the world. Whether it’s a project, a new job or a new business – this fear of being judged can make it hard to share what we normally would with a supportive friend or family member.
But this begs the question – why is it so hard to show up for ourselves online?
In all honesty, it really shouldn’t be. However, because most of us – myself included – have experienced the feeling of not being enough, we get a little hesitant.
Five ways to start showing up for yourself online
If you’re feeling a little nervous to start sharing online, or you simply don’t know where to start – here’s a few examples of how I started sharing my business with my network online.
1. Leave little breadcrumbs
A SUPER easy way to get started is to talk about your topic in your everyday, normal content. If we’re talking social media – like Instagram or Facebook – you can keep the same images that you’ve already been posting – but add some context around your new topic to these images.
Share your curiosity, get your audience comfortable with your topic – it doesn’t have to be high pressure at all.
2. Post a “behind the scenes” photo or video on your social media profiles
Along these lines of dropping breadcrumbs, is clueing your audience into the “behind the scenes” angle of your new business or project. Try as best as you can to capture it all – the messy idea boards, the Pinterest print outs, the voice memos. Good days, bad days, all of it.
Sharing the process – even before you’ve announced a business yet again deepens the connection with your audience, but it also builds a trust factor.
Why?
Because they can see and revisit the exact process for how you’re doing what you are, and how you got to where you’re at now.
3. Get your audience involved in the decision-making process
As you begin to create things for your business – products, content, etc – invite your audience to be a part of the process. It can help your audience feel incredibly connected to what you’re creating – why? Because they’ll feel like they played an active role in its development.
This could look like:
- Asking your audience to help you name your new product or a podcast
- Requesting “favorite feature” feedback for a new product
- Opening a poll on your social media to learn more about the content your audience is already asking for
- Send an email to your list asking what they currently like or dislike about your products or offerings
Even if you already know what some of these answers will be, inviting your audience to be a part of the process will make them more excited and ready to invest in you and your products when the time comes.
4. Share why you started
The most impactful and biggest superpower you have when it comes to your business right now is YOUR story.
There’s probably a lot of folks out there that can do what you do – especially when it comes to your topic. But what they can’t do, is what you do EXACTLY the way you do it and why you do it.
Share your origin story with your audience, even if it still feels like you’re living it. When you share the reason that you started, you’re allowing your audience to connect even more deeply to your business – even if they’re not ready to be a paying client or customer yet.
5. Ask your audience for feedback
When you continuously keep your audience in a feedback loop – one, you’ll be able to know exactly what they’re looking for, but two, they’ll be super excited to buy from you when your product or business idea is ready.
A customer that feels seen and taken care of is typically one of the most loyal customers out there – especially if you’re taking their feedback into consideration and actively incorporating it into new versions of your business.
I know it’s hard to put yourself out there. Especially because our businesses and passion projects feel like they’re more than just work to us. But, even though it’s challenging, I hope this post gave you some ideas for how to start putting yourself out there online. I’m cheering for you!
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