Summer Business Affirmations: I Am Brave!
If you caught my last couple of posts, you already know I'm sharing a few mantras this summer that help keep me from burning out in my business.
This one is: I am brave.
One of the biggest fears I hear from business owners isn’t actually creating content; it’s being IN the content.
“I don’t like being on camera,”
“I don’t know what to say,”
“I hate hearing my own voice,”
“I’m not comfortable on camera.”
“I don’t need to be on camera.”
If you’re nodding along, I see you. Even I’ve had to get reminders to be present, with my face front-and-center on social media. And even if I look confident and comfortable in front of the camera - I’m usually not. But I show up and do it anyway.
Which leads me to today’s affirmation: I Am Brave!
Showing your face online can feel incredibly scary. You’re putting yourself out there for people to see, hear, and in many cases, judge.
It takes courage, and it’s completely normal to feel like you can’t do it or it’s just not the right fit for you.
But after working in social media for more than 12 years, I’ve learned something that I come back to again and again: people don’t connect with still photos and logos! They connect with people.
They want to see who is behind the brand and the business. They want to see the good, the bad and the in-between.
People Do Business With People
When someone chooses to work with your business, they’re not just buying your product or service. They’re buying your experience, your personality, your expertise, and your values.
They’re buying into YOU!
And when you put yourself out there on social media by posting a selfie or recording a video of you chatting at the camera, or even posting a story talking directly into the camera - you’re being so incredibly brave!
It takes courage to press record, introduce yourself or share a little piece of your private life online. Because people can be mean and there are parts of the internet that aren’t great to be on, so your fears are valid.
BUT, you can choose to be brave and post anyway. Because people buy from people they know, like, and trust. And you can easily become that person by posting yourself online, talking directly to your audience!
Even After 12 Years, I Still Second-Guess Myself
I know it isn’t always easy. There are still days when I record a video more than once because I stumble over my words, or I question whether I should post a photo or just hide behind a graphic instead.
Which may sound crazy coming from someone who posts selfies as a literal part of her brand, but it’s true! It takes bravery every single time.
When I’m having a hard time hitting publish, I remind myself of the people that I myself follow. I know what the owner looks like, I’ve heard them speak, and I feel like I know their personality and who they are! So I remember them. And I buy from them.
Then I turn that around on myself and remind myself that the reason most people end up working with me is that they know me from seeing me online all the time.
And then I hit publish!
You won’t build a personal relationship with your audience with another stock photo, another inspirational quote, or another perfectly designed graphic!
People want to know who they’re supporting. They want to hear your voice, see your smile, and feel like they’ve met you before they ever send you a message.
Start Small, Starting Today
Let’s start today by lowering the stakes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of posting yourself, try starting with a story first. They disappear in 24 hours, so it’s an easy place to start. My favourite tips are:
"Record 5, post 1" - You don’t need to do it perfectly the first time. Plan to record 5 times and pick the one you like the most to post!
Start with a photo of yourself if talking to the camera is too hard.
If you do want to start with a video (yay!), here is an easy script: "Hi, I'm [name], and I run [business]. Today I'm working on ___."
Once you get used to posting, it becomes second nature and you won’t need to muster up your bravery anymore!
I Am Brave, and So Are You
Showing your face doesn’t mean you have to become an influencer or start dancing for TikTok. Sometimes it’s as simple as introducing yourself in a Story, sharing a quick behind-the-scenes clip, talking to the camera for thirty seconds, or posting a selfie with a story about your day.
Every time you show your face, you’re reminding your audience that there’s a real person behind your business!
So if you’ve been hiding behind your logo or avoiding the camera altogether, let this be your reminder: you don’t have to be the most confident person online! You just have to be willing to take the first step.
The more you do it, the easier it becomes.
One Story turns into two, one Reel turns into another, and one conversation turns into a relationship. Before you know it, the thing you were once afraid of becomes one of the greatest strengths in your marketing.
So this week, remind yourself: I am brave. And then hit publish!