From Fear to Confidence: The Secret to Showing Up Online as an Entrepreneur

Feb 12

When it comes to showing up online—whether it’s posting on Instagram, going live on Facebook, or sharing a story on LinkedIn—so many entrepreneurs find themselves stuck in a frustrating loop of fear and doubt.

You’ve probably felt it, too. Thoughts like:

- “What if I don’t know what to say?”

- “What if I look dumb?”

- “What if no one engages with my post?”

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: Those fears are completely normal. But the mistake so many entrepreneurs make is waiting for confidence to show up first. The secret? Confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes because of it.

There’s a concept called the competence-confidence loop that explains this perfectly:

- The more you practice and get competent at something, the more confident you’ll feel doing it.

- And the only way to get competent? You have to show up, do it scared, and keep going.

In this post, we’ll break down how getting better at sharing your message, skills, and expertise online will not only increase your competence but also skyrocket your confidence. And by the end, you’ll have practical steps to help you move from fear to action.

Why Sharing Your Message Online Feels Hard (and What’s Really Going On)

Let’s start by addressing why this is such a struggle. For most entrepreneurs, the fear of showing up online isn’t about your actual expertise—it’s about how you’re sharing it.

You KNOW your stuff. You’ve put in the hours, gained the skills, and helped clients or customers in person or behind the scenes. But when it comes to sharing what you know online? It feels like a completely different ball game.

Here’s What Might Be Holding You Back:

1. Perfectionism

You’re overthinking every caption, graphic, or video, worried it’s not “good enough.”

2. Fear of Judgment

You’re scared someone will criticize you or worse—crickets. No engagement at all.

3. Uncertainty About What to Say

You’re not sure how to translate your expertise into content that resonates with your audience.

4. Comparison

You see others online who seem to have it all together, and you think, Why would anyone listen to me when they could follow them instead?

Does any of this sound familiar? The truth is, these feelings are common. But they’re also just excuses your brain uses to avoid the discomfort of growth.

What Is the Competence-Confidence Loop?

The competence-confidence loop is a simple yet powerful concept:

- Competence is your ability to do something well.

- Confidence is your belief in your ability to do it.

And they feed into each other.

When you practice a skill and get better at it, your confidence grows. And when you feel more confident, you’re more likely to keep practicing, improving even further. It’s a cycle that builds momentum over time.

The Key to Unlocking Confidence Online

The mistake most people make? They wait for confidence to show up first. But confidence only comes after you’ve taken the messy, imperfect, scary action needed to build competence.

Why Competence in Sharing Your Message Matters

You might be thinking, “But I already know my stuff! I’m an expert in my field.” And you’re right. Your competence in your craft isn’t the issue here. The challenge is learning to share your expertise in a new way—online.

Here’s How Getting Better at Sharing Online Helps You Build Confidence:

1. You’ll Learn What Resonates With Your Audience

At first, you might not know what content connects with your audience. But by showing up consistently and experimenting, you’ll start to understand their needs, preferences, and pain points.

2. You’ll Build a Routine

Consistency breeds competence. The more often you show up online, the easier it becomes. Over time, creating content feels less intimidating and more like a habit.

3. You’ll Shift Your Mindset

As you practice, you’ll realize that “messy” action is better than no action. You don’t have to be perfect to make an impact—your authenticity is what matters most.

4. You’ll Start Seeing Results

Nothing boosts confidence like results. As you get better at sharing your message, you’ll see more engagement, more connections, and more opportunities.

How to Start Practicing Sharing Your Message Online

You don’t need to overhaul your entire online presence overnight. The key is to start small, take action, and build momentum. Here’s how:

1. Start With One Post

Don’t overthink it. Choose one simple piece of value you can share with your audience today. It could be:

- A quick tip related to your expertise.

- A personal story that connects with your audience.

- An answer to a question you hear all the time.

2. Do It Scared

Feeling nervous? That’s normal. Hit “post” anyway. Remember, growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone.

3. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Your first few posts won’t be perfect—and that’s okay. What matters is that you’re taking action and learning as you go.

4. Engage With Your Audience

Confidence grows when you feel connected to the people you’re serving. Respond to comments, ask questions, and start conversations.

5. Reflect and Improve

Look back on what worked and what didn’t. Each post is an opportunity to learn and refine your approach.

Examples of Entrepreneurs Who Built Confidence Online

1. The Reluctant Coach:

This coach started with zero confidence in posting on social media. Her first posts felt clunky, but she kept going. After a few months of showing up, she found her voice and began attracting her ideal clients.

2. The Expert Who Was Overthinking:

An experienced consultant was afraid to start sharing online because she didn’t think her knowledge was unique. After taking small steps, she realized her expertise did resonate with people—and her audience grew fast.

Confidence Comes With Action

If you’re waiting for confidence to magically appear before you start showing up online, you’ll be waiting forever. The only way to build confidence is to practice—over and over again.

Remember:

- You don’t need to be perfect.

- You don’t need to have it all figured out.

- You just need to take the first step.

The competence-confidence loop is real, and it’s waiting for you to tap into it. So today, take one small action. Post something. Start a conversation. Share your expertise.

The more you show up, the better you’ll get. And the better you get, the more confident you’ll feel.

Let’s stop letting fear hold you back and start building the confidence you need to create the impact you’re meant for.

You’ve got this. Now go post!