Doing it scared: building your personal brand while figuring yourself out.
Everyone talks about personal branding like you have to have it all figured out before you start. What to post. How often. Who to reach. Which niche to focus on.
And yes, planning helps. Content pillars, clarity on your message, thinking about what you want to be remembered for. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to know all of that to start.
You might not know your audience yet. You might not have a polished tone. You might have no idea if your posts will land. And that’s okay.
Your personal brand doesn’t need to be perfect from day one. It grows as you grow. You don’t need years of experience, a big following, or expert-level knowledge. You just need to start.
And that’s the point: starting scared is still progress. Starting uncertain is still action. ⚡ Starting scared is progress. ⚡ Your opinion ALWAYS matters. ⚡ Comparison removes joy.
When I first began, I had six months of marketing experience and zero clarity on tone or audience. I didn’t wait until I felt ready, I just started posting, experimenting, and learning along the way.
doing it scared.
I would be lying if I said I operate in my comfort zone. A lot of what I do, I do scared. Posting a new idea. Reaching out to someone I admire. Heading to a networking event alone. Most of the time, I feel scared or nervous (which is normal, btw).
The truth is, most people never feel fully confident or “ready” to start. Waiting until you feel prepared is often the reason so many ideas never make it out of the notes app.
💗 sharing your perspective, even if you’re still learning
Your insights don’t have to come from decades of experience. A fresh perspective can spark conversation, help someone solve a problem, or find reliability.
💗 posting small insights
Not every post needs to be a guide or viral hit. Sharing a short reflection, a quick tip, or something you’ve just learned allows you to show up consistently without pressure. Those small posts accumulate into credibility and trust over time.
💗 testing formats, ideas, and approaches without fear
Experimentation is part of building your personal brand. Every time you post, you’re conducting a mini experiment. Whether you’re just starting or a year into building your brand, each post gives you clarity, feedback, and motivation.
your opinion ALWAYS matters.
One of the biggest barriers I see creators face is thinking they’re too “junior” to share anything. That’s not true! I started posting on LinkedIn with only six months of experience in marketing.
You don’t need decades of experience to have value. You can share lessons from trying, failing, and learning. Your unique viewpoint is enough to help someone else.
The people who love your content aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for someone who is relatable, and human.
Remember, you don't have to be an expert to have an opinion <3
comparison is the thief of joy.
(literally)
It’s hard not to compare yourself. I have to talk myself out of it more than you’d think. Scrolling feeds, people hitting milestones, seeing viral content - it can feel like you’re always “behind.”
The tricky part is that comparison can distract you from your own progress and priorities. What works for someone else may not work for you, and that’s okay.
💫 celebrate every win, no matter how small
Tracking wins keeps momentum visible and reminds you that growth is happening, even if it doesn’t feel big in the moment.
💫 give what you can in the moment
Allow your brand to reflect your real life. Your energy and ideas might vary week-to-week.
💫 measure your own feedback, not someone else’s
Look at how people respond to your content. Comments, DMs, saves, shares. Not the numbers someone else is hitting.
💫 do what makes you happy
Ultimately, your personal brand should serve you, not someone else’s formula.
Comparison will always be tempting, but the more you focus on your own path, the more joy you’ll find in the process. Plus the better your brand will grow as a reflection of you, not anyone else.
my holy grails:
Now it wouldn't be fair if I brain dumped all this information on you and let you fend for yourself! Here are some of my top resources for all things stripping your personal brand back to see what’s realistic:
⚡ [Tool] Notes App. Your private draft space to note wins or brain dump ideas/thoughts.
⚡ [Book] F*ck Being Humble. How to block out self-doubt, and build “unapologetic confidence.”
⚡ [Tool] Mel Robbins 5 Second Rule. Count down from 5 to 1 and then immediately take action to overcome hesitation.
️to cut the story short.
If you've read my entire blog - thanks for staying around! Here's a quick-fire recap:
️⚡ You might not have confidence at first, but it’s something you can build by showing up. The more you post and push through the fear, the easier it’ll become.
⚡ You don’t need experience to offer value. Your perspective, right now, might be exactly what someone relates to, or wants to hear.
⚡ Growth looks different for everyone, and comparing yourself to others will distract you from celebrating your own progress. Stay focused on what feels best for you.
Whether you look at total visits, or visits per post. They are a great reflection of how well your content invites connection, not just consumption.
Digital Marketing Executive and Top 2025
Marketer to Watch
