How to show up confidently as a writer on social media

learning to step out of your comfort zone and finding tools to help you along the way

someone holding out an iphone recording a live video of a crowd — photo by Nathan Dumlao on unsplash

It may seem like everyone on social media is naturally confident with the content they post: Live videos, Reels, Stories. But that’s not always the case. Learning how to appear confident on social media comes from practice, and everyone starts somewhere. Here are a few tips to get you started so you can show up confidently on social media.

1. Do what’s comfortable first.

I know a lot of people would recommend stepping out of your comfort zone from the start, but I don’t think that’s always what is best.

Before you can stretch out of your comfort zone, you need to find what’s comfortable. What social media platforms are you using? Do you feel good about the audience you’re finding there? Do you feel supported, or out of place?

How many times a week are you posting? Do you feel like you’re constantly creating new content without ever having a break? Do you feel stretched thin, or is your current posting schedule just right for you?

Are you creating content that energizes you and makes you feel good? Are you nervously filming Reels and Stories because that’s what you think you have to do, or because you want to do it?

Once you have a routine you’re consistently sticking to, and that you feel good about, then it’s time to stretch out of your comfort zone.

And hey! If your comfort zone is no marketing at all, that’s okay too. We all have to start somewhere!

2. Challenge yourself to do one thing out of your comfort zone each month.

When we create new goals and habits for ourselves, we tend to want to go all in. We try 10 new things at once to reach our goal as soon as possible. But that’s what leads to burnout and quitting.

I’m all about sustainable marketing. When I wanted to get out of my shell on social media and do more video content, I had to stop myself from doing it all in a day: filming a few Reels, going live on Instagram, talking about my writing projects in my Stories. All of these are great ways to engage your audience, but I was terrified to speak in front of a camera.

So, I started slow. The first time I went Live I was freaking out. The first time I filmed a Reel of myself, I couldn’t rewatch it because it was so cringy. Then I deleted it and didn’t come back to it for a while.

It’s okay to start slow. If you’ve never shared your writing on social media before, challenge yourself to share one thing this month. Share it on your Instagram Story or Facebook Story so that it disappears after 24 hours!

If you’ve been posting your writing but want to start building a personal brand around your writing, and sharing more about who you are, film a quick video introducing yourself—nothing fancy.

3. Practice and use tools to help you.

No one expects you to film a video of yourself perfectly the first time. It takes practice. My heart still beats a little fast before I do a livestream, and that’s okay.

My biggest tip when it comes to showing up confidently on social media is to use tools and apps to help you. Seriously!

Before you just go Live or make video content, plan it out. Open your notes app on your phone and type out (or use speech-to-text) to plan out what it is you want to say.

Filming a Reel or Story? Use a teleprompter app! There are lots of free ones available in the app store that you can use. Put in a script or notes that you want to reference while filming your video, and your notes will show up while you’re filming a video, without showing up for your viewers!

screenshot of shelby leigh doing a live video with a teleprompter script box she can read off of while doing the live — screenshot by Shelby Leigh

I used this a lot when I first started making videos for social media and then got to the point where I didn’t really need it anymore.

Other things you can do to ease your nerves:

Practice a few times before filming your video.
If you’re going Live, have an outline by your side that you can reference while you’re livestreaming.
Doing a Live Q&A? Get a few questions and answers prepared in advance so you don’t have to worry about not having the answer and getting embarrassed or flustered.

Remember, the only person expecting you to be perfect is you.

Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone, practice, and use notes and outlines to your advantage.

Confidence isn’t something that always comes naturally, but you can work towards it! Just remember that we all have to start somewhere, and once you become more comfortable on social media, you’ll be one step closer to marketing yourself and your brand effectively.
Want some extra support with your social media strategy? Click here to see the services I offer.