If you’re reading this, chances are you’re sitting at your desk, staring at a blank screen, with about 27 tabs open on “how to create viral content,” and you’ve got that familiar knot in your stomach, and that little voice in your head whispering, “Whatever you make won’t be good enough to go viral.”
First things first – take a deep breath.
You’re not alone in this content creation purgatory. I have been there for longer than I’d like to admit, wasting so much time overthinking every little decision I make, wondering if it’s good enough – let me tell you, it wastes a lot of time, and gets you nowhere!
The Overwhelm is Real
I’m not saying you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed – look at what you’re dealing with in the world of content creation – there are so many platforms where you “should” be posting your content.
There’s LinkedIn for the professionals, Instagram for the pretty pictures, TikTok for the cool kids, YouTube for the patient explainers, and Twitter/X for… well, whatever Twitter/X is for these days.
It’s like being told you need to learn juggling, but instead of starting with three balls, someone hands you fifteen flaming torches and says, “Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out!” It is absolutely overwhelming, there’s no denying that!
Why We Get Stuck
Here’s the truth, we get paralysed because we’re trying to be perfect right out of the gate.
Striving for perfection from day one is like trying to run a marathon without ever having jogged a single mile—it’s not just unrealistic, it’s the quickest way to ensure you’ll never even make it to the starting line.
We imagine our competitors churning out Emmy-worthy videos while posting profound thoughts that make Shakespeare look like an amateur.
The reality is that everyone starts somewhere, and that somewhere is usually… awkward. Those polished business owners you admire? Their first posts probably made them cringe too.
5 Steps to Escape the Loop
1. Pick ONE Platform (Just One, I Promise)
Choose based on:
- Where your people hang out
- What format feels least terrifying to you
If writing makes you break out in hives, but you can talk someone’s ear off about your passion, maybe audio or video is your jam. If you freeze on camera but write thoughtful emails to clients, perhaps blogging is your starting point.
2. The “This Is Just Practice” Mindset
Here’s a game-changer: Label your first 30 posts as “practice.” Not “career-defining content” – just practice. Nobody expects a pianist to nail a concerto on day one, yet we expect ourselves to create viral content immediately.
Tell yourself this, “These posts won’t make or break my business. They’re just me practicing making content and learning how to use this tool.”
3. The 20-Minute Rule
Set a timer for 20 minutes. In that time:
- Write one post
- Record one video
- Create one simple graphic
When the timer beeps – you’re done! No endless tweaking allowed. This removes the “I spent three hours and still hate it” frustration.
4. Use What You Already Know
You solve problems for people every day in your business. Start there!
Write down the last 5 questions clients asked you. Each one is a potential post. You already know the answers – this isn’t about becoming a content creator; it’s about sharing your existing expertise.
5. The Post-It Note Content Plan
Grab three Post-It notes:
- Note 1: One tip you’d give a client
- Note 2: One common mistake you see in your industry
- Note 3: One thing you wish everyone knew about your field
Boom – you’ve got content for three days. Rinse and repeat.
What About the Critics?
That voice in your head imagining all the potential critics? Don’t listen to it.
- The idea that everyone’s watching. The truth is that people are too busy worrying about their own content to analyse yours.
- The belief that criticism = failure. Actually, getting some engagement (even if it’s someone disagreeing) means you’ve created something thought-provoking!
- The fear that one negative comment defines you. Remember, even the most beloved brands and experts face criticism. What matters isn’t avoiding all criticism—it’s serving the people who resonate with your message. For every critic, there are usually silent admirers who needed exactly what you shared but didn’t comment – focus your energy on helping these people!
Remember Why You’re In Business
You started your business because you have something valuable to offer. Your content isn’t about becoming an influencer – it’s about connecting your solution with the people who need it.
Every time you share your knowledge, remember that there is someone out there who appreciates it and is thinking, “Yes, finally someone who gets it!”
One Last Thing – Your Next Step
Now that we’re at the end, there’s one thing you must go and do…
Close this tab (and all the rest) and commit to creating one piece of content today – not perfect content – just one piece of content you can share. Then share it!
The best part of this is activity is that the more you do it, the better you’ll get! Your confidence will grow, you will find your voice, and you will connect with the people who need and love your content.
One day, you’ll look back at your first posts with affection – because they were the brave first steps that led you exactly where you needed to go.
Now go create something. It doesn’t have to be good yet – it just has to exist!
