Yes, I get afraid to post certain things online. Allow me to share…
Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins.
– Charles Stanley
Creative people are courageous. We don’t naturally think that this is true, but when you examine what creativity is, you learn that artists – whatever the medium – are some pretty darn courageous people. You see, it takes a lot of courage to make something and then put it out there for the world to see, examine, and potentially disagree with.
I attribute my boldness in life to piano lessons. I started playing piano at the age of five under the instruction of my mother, an amazing teacher and musician. Twice a year, I would have to perform in front of other people: once at the music competition and once at our recital. Before each performance, I remember getting nervous with an intense flash of fear. However for some reason, this flash of fear came as I was about to walk to the piano bench. Too late to walk away! I learned from an early age, to just do it.
I learned that same lesson again in college when I went to design school and had to put up my own personal creations on display to get critiqued, ridiculed, and torn apart. All in the name of growth, of course. Well, grow I did. I learned to “just do it” and to stand up next to my creations – whether the professors loved them or hated them.
I’ve taken these lessons with me as I started my own business a few years ago. I’m so thankful that I learned how to be brave and how to have courage earlier in life. I don’t think I could be in the business of social media marketing and content marketing promotion without some level of boldness. In order to grow my business I had to face a few fears, that I’m sure you can relate with on some level.
- Handing Out My Business Card – I had had business cards before, but this time it was MY business card, with my logo, and my domain name, and my reputation on the line. That concept that had been in the back of my mind was now a reality.
Inviting People To Like My Own Page – Oh man, was I scared to invite people to follow me on social media. I’ll be honest, I still don’t love doing it. I am not naturally a salesy person, and I never want people to feel guilted into following my company on social media. However, I believe there’s a lot of value in the information I put out and I know it can be helpful, so I invite and I share. Oh hey, want to like my company’s page?- Blogging – Posting on a Facebook page is one thing; writing a blog and putting it out there is another. There is a higher margin for error, rocking the boat with opinions, and really just being in the spotlight. Hitting “publish” for the first time was a scary thing. Can anyone relate?
- Getting Personal – Okay, so I got more comfortable with writing and posting blogs, but I still get scared of posting personal blogs – to this day! Sometimes I write blog posts (like this one) that go a little bit more personal into my values and my personal history. These types of posts always need a little extra dose of courage because it means more to me. Therefore, I hope that it means more to the public.
- Sharing My Company – As I said before, I try not push my brand on people, especially friends and and family. I know excessive posting about your business or your job or anything really, can get annoying. Because of that, I tend to have a little nervousness whenever I share something about my business on my personal profiles.
- Posting Selfies On Work Stuff – Posting selfies to my personal accounts – no problem. Posting selfies on my brand’s profiles – uhhhhhh… I’m talking about selfies at conventions or pics with clients, not me at the latest concert at Red Rocks. However, each time I go to post a picture with my face on it, I admit, I get a little nervous.
- Taking Videos – Video is huge, but can I admit that I don’t always love seeing my facial expressions or hearing what my voice actually sounds like? I get nervous doing takes on videos, even if I know they aren’t live or won’t ever make the cut to get posted on my profiles. There’s just something about that blinking red record light!
- Posting Videos – If I thought I was nervous taking practice videos, talk about posting a video live. That first video I posted for my #tuesdaytips series was S.C.A.R.Y.! I still get a little nervous each week when I post those informational videos.
- Podcasts – I’ve recorded a few podcasts and recording them took a lot of courage Again, what’s up with that blinking red light?! There is something about just knowing that what you are saying is being recorded that makes me a little scared.
- Public Speaking – There’s something about live that still makes me a little nervous. And just like those piano recitals, I get nervous as I’m walking up and as I’m doing public speaking. At that point, I just have to keep going. There’s no alternative.
Putting yourself out there. That’s what social media is all about. I tell clients that social media is a great place to show the personal, behind-the-scenes side of your brand. I’ve got to practice what I preach. That’s why I write blogs and post regularly. That’s why I record videos and do live trainings. That’s why I’m working on a podcast. That’s why you see pictures of me doing life and doing business. It’s scary. It’s not always perfect. But, it’s real. That’s how business is today.