The Fear of ‘Being Seen on Social Media:’ Why Public Posting is Stopping Entrepreneurial-Hopefuls

Every single day, I wake up, go on my TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and mull over comments left on my videos stating, “I really want to do what you do, but I am afraid to post to social media.” It’s become some sort of a mental phenomenon that I see stop thousands of people from reaching their true potential to become an entrepreneur. Their desire is there, but they can’t get over this paranoia of ‘putting themselves out there’ when it comes to the internet.

This can be due to a variety of reasons: they are afraid there are stalkers that will come find them, they are afraid they will be catfished, or more commonly, they are afraid their peers will criticize them, screenshot posts, and laugh at them for even trying.

As humans, we are social beings that thrive in a community setting, and have for thousands of years. We care about what people think about us, and we are very fragile when it comes to comments made by those closest to us. It’s innate to our DNA. So, putting ourselves out there on social media is like putting a bullseye on our back at an archery range. For most people, they just can’t stomach it.

Social Media Has Become an Embodiment of Our Fears

This fear of posting to social media is then used to justify the idea that someone can’t become an entrepreneur, open a freelancing site, or go out there and obtain something more for themselves. It’s easier to use social media as a scapegoat than it is to do something scary. People will claim that putting their information on social media will endanger them.

The truth is: with Google, you can find any piece of information you want on any person in the next 60-seconds. You can find where someone lives, their age, their telephone number, and you can even get a nice, detailed look of their home with Google Earth. Every time we use the internet to read an article or buy a product, that information is logged by big tech. They use it to then remarket to you the products they believe you want to buy. Hell, they use that information to sway how they want you to vote in elections.

The point being: your information is already out there. Posting a picture of yourself on Instagram isn’t going to put you at further risk. The only thing it’s going to do is get people talking. Are they going to say bad things? Of course they are. They are jealous they don’t have the gumption to post on social media, too. It’s one big projection game.

The key to take away from this today is that a paranoia of posting to social media is rooted in a fear of criticism and fear of failure. It’s nothing more than that. Social media is a lean, mean business tool and branding resource you can use to not only grow your own business, but also reach more people with your story and inspire them, too, to follow in your footsteps. It’s not some vanity show or haphazard collection of pictures: it’s a powerful way to go out there and get the life you have always wanted.

An important question to ask yourself today is: why do you judge other people for putting themselves out there on social media? Do you call them self-centered? Why? Is it because you are afraid of doing what they are doing, and it’s easier to judge from afar than apply yourself?

The real vanity show exists within the people who won’t post a single photo for criticism on Instagram. Those opening themselves up to the comments are the ones who are ready to 'get out there' and do what they can to help just one person who has stumbled upon their content.

And the beauty of it all is that you don’t have to live with this paranoia anymore. You can unpack whatever it is that you’re so afraid of. Are you scarred from a comment your teacher made in high school? Or a doubt from your parent? They were projecting, and you can stop in your tracks and reflect on that. You are here to fulfill your divine purpose, and the only way to do that is to be a player in the game.

Social Media is An Essential Component of Personal Success Today

The name of the game is social media today, especially for the freelancing hopefuls of the world. The best way to stand out from the competition is to leverage social media for your brand and your services. There’s no way around it, and the world will only become more and more reliant on these apps as the months wear on.

I beg everyone to let go of this fear of social media posting this month. You have a story to tell, and I want to know about it! Stop hiding it. It may help someone else by sharing it.