I’m an introvert – I enjoy my own company and use alone time to recharge. I don’t like big crowds and prefer hanging out with just one or two friends at a time. But, I also have no problem going live in front of hundreds of people, doing a presentation, or showing up on social media.
This wasn’t always the case, and it’s not the same for everybody – we all experience things in our own way.
If you identify as an introvert and you struggle to show up on social media, this post is for you. I hope you’ll find it inspiring and that it helps you show up on social media with more confidence and joy.
1. Leverage Your Strengths
Yes, video is what’s working right now, but that doesn’t mean you have to do what everybody else is doing.
To avoid burnout, find your preferred content form that you really enjoy. For example, if you’re great at writing, you could write the most inspiring newsletters that people can’t wait to get every week. Or if you are a great talker, start a podcast where you share your perspective and advice.
On social media, you can then repurpose your main content. For example, if you published a podcast episode, you can have a Reel with a soundbite, you can create an image with a quote and you can create a video where you talk into the camera about one of the points you are making in the episode. Boom – you have 3 posts and that’s all you need in a week.
Hot Tip: If you really can’t imagine ever being comfortable on video, start small by using Instagram Stories. Find ways to boost your confidence (using a filter or doing your hair/makeup) so that you aren’t worrying too much about what you look like, and then talk for about 60 seconds about something that’s been going on in your life, or an upcoming workshop. Add subtitles/captions and post!
2. Plan Ahead To Stay Consistent
As an introvert, it’s especially important to allow time for rest and plan ahead for times when you might not feel like showing up.
The problem is, consistency is key to seeing success on social media. If you post 3/5 times a week and then nothing for 3 weeks, it’s going to confuse your followers, and the algorithm won’t favor your content moving forward.
This is why I recommend that you keep an idea vault where you save all your ideas, inspiration, etc, and plan out your content in advance. You can then use scheduling tools so that content goes out even when you don’t feel like posting anything!
3. Don’t Give In To Perfectionism
Introverts can spend a lot of time in their heads which makes their inner critics even louder. If you find yourself asking: “Is this really good enough?” or “Will anyone actually care?” all the time, then you’re overthinking and giving in to perfectionism.
Don’t allow your fears to hold you back. If you want to take your business to the next level, leverage your introverted strengths and commit to it! This means putting things out there that aren’t perfect.
Put it out there, press publish, and move on.
Hot Tip: Live by the rule of two takes – that’s all you get. If you film a reel and aren’t happy with the first take, you get one more, and then you have to publish it. You’ll be surprised how much time this saves you. Think about it – what’s the worst thing that can happen? In a week nobody’s going to be looking at it anymore anyway, and even if they do, so what?
4. Listen To Your Energy Levels
The more you grow your online presence, the more feedback you’ll receive. Instead of responding to comments immediately, allot specific times for checking and responding to comments. It’s also helpful to turn your notifications off so you’re not constantly bombarded with updates throughout the day.
You could also consider hiring a VA or social media manager to support you. Remember you control how you use social media, don’t let it control you.
Start putting your own social media playbook together. What feels right for you, what is going to give you more peace, and what will allow you to keep moving forward in the best way possible? Protect yourself and your feelings first and then go from there.
Are you ready to show up confidently on social media and start building your online business so that you can work on your terms?
