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One of the hardest parts of podcasting or let’s be honest making any kind of content at all is being yourself. I don’t know about you, but for me, knowing hundreds, thousands, possibly millions of people will listen to what I’m saying or watch what I’m doing can be really intimidating.

Opening yourself up to just one person is hard, so when we’re faced with the prospect of millions. That’s almost impossible to comprehend.

Why Being Yourself Matters on the Internet 

Trying to be yourself online can feel a lot like the first day of school. Remember when the teacher made everyone introduce themselves and share a fun fact? The stress of wanting to seem cool but not too cool, friendly but not too eager—it’s the same pressure you feel when posting content. It’s enough to keep most people from ever truly showing up online. But not you. You’re a podcaster! But here’s the big question: Are you really being yourself online, or are you just the brand you’ve built?

I’ve struggled with this myself, wanting to separate who I am from my podcast and my online presence. For a long time, I told myself it was because I’m a private person, but that wasn’t the truth. The truth is, I’ve been afraid—afraid of criticism, of being misunderstood, of rejection. And I know I’m not alone in this. Whether you have 10 followers or 10 million, that fear is universal.

Overcoming Vulnerability

Have you ever heard the saying to be loved is to be known? If no one ever knows you, no one can ever love you. I think about that a lot. I think about why I love the creators I love. It’s because they’ve overcome the fear of vulnerability for long enough to let the world in. 

Making Meaningful Connections

Think about the last time you were at a networking event. You probably weren’t just talking about your job—you were trying to find a common ground, something outside of work. That’s what people connect with, and that’s what your online content should reflect. If all you’re showing is the “I work at such-and-such and do such-and-such,” you’re missing out on deeper connections.

I’m guilty of this, too. For a long time, I focused on making sure everything was perfect—every graphic, every podcast episode, all tied up with a neat bow. But I’ve realized that no one cares about perfection. We’re in a world where content moves fast, and people want authenticity. They want you, not a polished version of you.

How to Start Being Yourself Online

So, how do you get past the fear and start showing up as your true self online? Here’s how:

1. Accept Failure as a Friend: The first step towards success is accepting failure as your friend. People who never try never fail, but on the flip side of that, people who never try never succeed. There is a necessary vulnerability to doing something new, and you have to pursue that anxiety. 

2. It’s All a Numbers Game: Let’s say you create 100 podcast episodes over the next year and 2 really take off. On the other hand, let’s say you make 100 podcast episodes over the next 5 years and 2 really take off. It’s the same amount of work, it’s the same results, but it feels like it’s happening much less consistently. Because instead of having a really successful episode every 6 months, you’re having one every 2.5 years and that’s very hard as a creator and human being.

3. Make a Content Plan: Every week, set specific goals for yourself. Know the number of times you want to post on each platform and work backwards. This will help you repurpose content ideas instead of getting lazy at the last minute when you realize you haven’t posted. 

4. Use Authority Content Wisely: Authority content is important, but it shouldn’t be your only focus. People want to know your story, your struggles, and how you’ve overcome them. That’s what builds a community around your brand. No one really cares how much money you’ve made, they care about how you solved the problem that made you the money. 

5. Start with What Inspires You: Take a few minutes to go through your saved content and figure out what you loved about it. Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest or somewhere else. What did you like about this content? Why did you like it so much you saved it? Start there and build on what you know you already like. 

6. Block Out Negativity: The internet can be a scary place, but remember, the people commenting don’t really know you. If someone is harassing you, or making you feel uncomfortable, block them imminently. They don’t deserve your time or energy. 

You Can Do This

There’s nothing new under the sun, and that’s okay. Everything is a reimagining of something that’s come before. The key is to bring your unique perspective to it. Show up as the amazing, interesting, complex person you are, and your podcast and brand will thrive.

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