Want to post but feel cringe? Read this.

“What if people judge me for trying?”

Let’s just say it: wanting to be an influencer can feel cringe.

But it doesn’t have to! 

That cringe-effect usually comes from not being totally clear on your why — why you want this, what you’re hoping to gain, etc. For us, it’s about crafting a free and enchanted life: one where you’re in control, creating something meaningful, and waking up excited about the day ahead. ✨

When your why is clear, sharing your story stops feeling like you’re trying too hard or showing off. It becomes a genuine invitation — one that resonates, sticks, and keeps the right people coming back. 👏

All of this to say…

The second you post that first video, share a selfie with a caption that’s a little too polished, or talk to the camera with a little too much eye contact—you feel it.

Everyone you went to school with… is watching. People are whispering, “Hilarious, they’re trying to be an influencer now.”

They just are – but good! Their FOMO will set in when the dust settles and you’re absolutely crushing it and creating content from the French Riviera 🍹

Let’s check that fear at the door – if you’re looking to get started and build an audience that helps generate your enchanted life, here are 5 ways to make it less scary:

1. Post for strangers first. Your old coworkers, college friends, and aunt who still uses Facebook don’t need to be your test audience. Make a fresh TikTok. Start a new Instagram. Build your confidence somewhere safe.

Pro Tip: Choose your starting platform with intention. Influence isn’t built on just one platform—but it often starts on one. Focus on the place where:

✅ Your ideal audience already spends time

✅ The format feels the least intimidating to create

✅ Growth feels fun, not draining

🎯 Platform Cheat Sheet

• TikTok – Great for fast discovery, experimenting with low-stakes content, and short-form storytelling

• Instagram – Best for building brand identity, community, and layering in different content formats (Stories, Reels, carousels)

• YouTube Shorts – A strong contender for creators who eventually want to grow into long-form video

• Substack or Email – If you love writing and want a high-trust space to grow an audience more slowly but deeply

• Threads / Twitter – Ideal if you’re better at words than video and want to test your voice fast

🎨 Bonus for Visual Creators & Product-Based Creators

• Pinterest – Perfect for designers, visual storytellers, or anyone with a product to showcase. It’s evergreen, search-friendly, and drives real traffic. Especially strong for niches like home, fashion, wellness, DIY, and aesthetics.

• Behance / Dribbble – If you’re a designer or creative pro, these platforms are great for showcasing portfolio work and getting discovered by clients or collaborators.

• Instagram Shopping / TikTok Shop – If you’re selling physical products, these tools make it easy for viewers to become customers. Layer in product demos, behind-the-scenes content, and testimonials.

• Etsy / Shopify-Linked Content – Great for handmade or boutique brands. Use content platforms to drive traffic and tell your product’s story. Don’t underestimate the power of “how it’s made” videos.

Pick one platform to start. Show up consistently. Then expand strategically. You don’t need to be everywhere to make an impact—you just need to be relevant somewhere.

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2. Create before you consume. Most people stop themselves from posting because they spend too much time watching people who are already great at it. Before you open the app, record or draft your post first. Then scroll.

Pro Tip: ✨ You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—but you can if you want to.

Want to hop on a trend? Perfect! That’s a great way to get comfortable and start posting consistently. The algorithm loves content using trending audio, especially short, punchy videos. You’ll likely get a little boost—even with zero followers.

Look for:

• Trending audio or memes

• Repeatable formats like “Things I’d never do again,” “My hot takes,” or “Here’s what I’d do instead…”

• Niche spinoffs (e.g., #booktok, #beautytok, #momtok, etc.)

Want to find your own thing instead? Love that. Here are a few prompts to help you discover your content niche:

💡 1. Think about what people ask you for help with.Is it skincare recs? Your itinerary? Your productivity hacks? If people are already coming to you for it, there’s your first post.

💡 2. Document, don’t perform.

What are you already doing in your day-to-day that others would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring? Share that. Teaching, building, creating, parenting, decorating, healing, organizing—all of it is content!!

💡 3. Share your “before” moment.

If you're in the middle of a journey (starting a business, getting healthier, decorating your space), people love to follow along from the beginning. Let them grow with you.

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3. Use “throwaway energy.” Post like it’s not that serious—because it isn’t. Not everything needs to go viral. Just start sharing. Try things. Delete later if you hate it. This iteration should be fun!

Pro Tip: ✨ Lower-production video often outperforms high-polish content. Why? Because it feels more relatable, real, and human. Viewers trust what feels unfiltered—like a friend sharing, not a brand selling. So don’t overthink the lighting, captions, or edits. 

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4. People care way less than your anxiety does.Even if someone watches your post, they’ll forget about it in 12 seconds unless it changes their life. (And if it does? You just found your audience!!)

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5. Consistency builds confidence—not the other way around. Don’t wait until you feel ready. You build your voice by using it. The more you post, the easier it gets. Promise!!

NOW, not how.

This idea comes from Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan. It’s a reminder that action creates clarity. Instead of getting stuck planning the “perfect” content strategy, just start. Post something—anything—today. You’ll learn more from doing than you ever will from thinking about doing.

✨You don’t need confidence to start. You need courage. Confidence will catch up. 🫡

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Want to really give this a shot, but need a little support? You've totally got this, but building with friends can be fast and fun!

We built Public Manual to be that teammate, coach, and cheerleader you’ve been missing. 📣From strategy audits and creator templates to just talking it out—we’ve got you covered!  

Explore our starter tools and services ➡️ here!

Go team, go!!

- PM