How to overcome your fear of publishing content on LinkedIn

Picture this: you’ve done all the hard work, typing out your experience, knowledge and insights into a draft post on LinkedIn. Yet, as your cursor hovers over the publish button, a wave of apprehension washes over you. The familiar pang of doubt creeps in – will it be well-received? Will it resonate with my connections, or will it fade into the digital abyss, unnoticed and unappreciated? Worse still, will others judge you? 

If this scenario seems familiar, well, you’re not alone. 

Professional networking in the digital era isn’t easy, and it’s natural to feel a twinge of anxiety before sharing your thoughts on social media platforms. This sentiment is especially amplified on LinkedIn, given its distinct emphasis on career development and networking.

LinkedIn deems this phenomenon the “InPoster Syndrome”, where one holds back from sharing their knowledge on LinkedIn for fear of judgement. “While overcoming InPoster Syndrome may seem daunting, there are simple steps you can take to boost your confidence to post on LinkedIn. Remember that your voice matters and showing up consistently is key to reaching more people and you will start to reap the benefits of investing your time in creating content,” says Pooja Chhabria, LinkedIn Career Expert. 

While the apprehension may be palpable, the rewards of sharing your perspective on LinkedIn are immeasurable. From expanding your network to establishing yourself as a thought leader in your industry, creating content on LinkedIn offers a myriad of opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

To help you overcome your posting anxiety, we turn to some experts in the field to uncover practical strategies and insights that will help embolden you to embrace your unique voice and share your expertise with confidence. 

Put a personal spin

“You don't need to be a prolific writer to post on LinkedIn. It's about you and your connections. You can share thoughts on issues concerning you, your community, or your country. For instance, a simple bowl of salad can spark discussions on urban farming as the world approaches 10 billion people in 2030. The culinary artistry of the salad arrangement can relate to contemporary art. Eating healthily can remind you of ageing gracefully. The complicity of the salad and the dressing can symbolise the balance between work life and office politics. There's always a parallel between topics and issues. Personal branding, rooted in authenticity, is a great way to start overcoming InPoster Syndrome.” – Andrew Yip, Head at Future Food

Try scheduling posts

“Creating content does take courage to put yourself out there. I’ve been a content creator for 8 years across various platforms, I still find myself having InPoster Syndrome and over-scrutinizing my posts and thoughts. If you know why you’re creating and can back what you’re saying, sometimes you just need a push to press ‘Post’. For me, scheduling posts in advance takes away that mental barrier and insecurity before you release something into the world. Putting in place processes to quiet that voice has made content creation less daunting for me.” – Qiyun Woo, content creator and sustainability consultant, Unravel Carbon

Embrace your authenticity

“Here's the key takeaways for anyone struggling with InPoster Syndrome: Focus on your "why." What value do you want to bring to your audience? How do you want to position yourself as an expert? Start small: don't overthink it. Share something you're passionate about, even if it seems insignificant. Lastly, be consistent. Regular engagement is key. Build a rhythm that works for you. Remember, we all have something valuable to offer. Don't let the fear of judgement hold you back. Take that leap, hit "post," and watch your network grow.” – Elizabeth Taylor, marketing trainer, consultant & coach, Elizabeth Taylor Coaching

Think outside the box

“In most cases, the hardest part is overcoming inertia and making your first post. Begin with short updates on topics you’re most passionate about. You can even use generative AI to give you a solid foundation to start with and hone it by adding your lived human experience. 

If you find determining what to post into that blank share box daunting, a good way to start is by jumping onto an existing conversation that you see on your feed and adding your own take on it. Everyone has a unique story to tell and you could share your perspective on the topic. 

Lastly, leverage on LinkedIn’s tools. Templates are great if you want an easy way for your posts to stand out in the Feed and grab your audience’s attention. You should also explore different content formats, such as videos, images, and slideshows.” – Pooja Chhabria, LinkedIn Career Expert