How to Post Online If You’re Not an Oversharer

Overcome hesitation, start sharing, have an impact.

Thomas, here!

I enjoy sharing, but I’m not an oversharer. I prefer to be more behind the scenes, especially since Julia is the primary face of our content. And even for her, it wasn’t something that came naturally—it was a learned skill, developed through sheer repetition. Over time, she got more comfortable with the process, and I’ve seen firsthand how consistency breeds ease when it comes to putting yourself out there.

Image by Good Graces Photography

But here’s the thing: You don’t need to be an influencer to benefit from sharing online. If you have a business—any business—you need to have a presence online. People want to form a connection before they buy from you, and content is the best way to do that.

Think of the founders you love to follow or the local businesses you admire. Chances are, they’ve built a connection with you through the content they share. And the good news? There are so many different ways to share—you don’t have to do it in a way that feels forced or unnatural.

For me, Substack is where I’ve found my groove. Others might be more visual and thrive on Instagram or YouTube. Some prefer more structured, professional spaces like LinkedIn. The key is to find what works for you and lean into it. The good news is you can build more than enough presence by focusing on just one platform. And keep in mind, only about 1% of users on any platform are actually creating content—the rest are consuming. This means there's always room for new voices willing to share. Related to this point, I found this hour-long video really helpful when we were deciding to launch on Substack. It’s a great resource for anyone who wants to do their research before making a similar decision.

Fighting Your Internal Filter

One of the biggest challenges for those of us who don’t naturally overshare is battling our own internal filter. That little voice that asks, 'Is this worth sharing?' or 'Does anyone really care about this?' is often the number one thing that holds me back. If you feel the same way, know that you’re not alone. The truth is, the things you hesitate to share are often the most valuable to others. The trick is recognizing when your filter is helping you refine your message versus when it’s just stopping you from participating at all.

Get Over the Initial Hurdle

The hardest part is starting. Set yourself a goal for how often you’ll post. You don’t have to tell anyone that goal—or, if you struggle with accountability, you can tell someone close to you.

The key is just getting started and then keeping the momentum going. Trust the process. Care less about the results at first. You will get better over time.

The Fear of Going All In

A reader, Ciara Laine Myers, recently asked:

How do the pros of having an audience outweigh the cost and sacrifice, other than financial?
My editor keeps pushing me to grow my platform, but success in that way scares me. My husband and I own a group counseling practice, Intentional Counseling, which we love building together. But I know the author side of me needs to grow online. I have a micro audience (around 20K), but I’m nervous to go all in. If you guys were starting today, would you do it all over again? Do you think the market is too saturated? Would it be worth the cost on your family and mental health?

This is such a good question because it gets to the heart of what holds a lot of people back.

Here’s my take:

If we were starting today, we would 100% do it all over again. The market isn’t too saturated because every voice is unique, and every audience is looking for someone they personally connect with. There’s always room for people who create great content, who are thoughtful, and who genuinely want to serve their audience. Plus big platforms like TikTok and more recently, Instagram, have shifted their algorithms to prioritize great content over follower count when distributing content. There's never been a better time to break out on certain platforms.

Yes, there’s a cost. It requires consistency, creativity, and putting yourself out there, which can feel uncomfortable. But in my experience, the benefits outweigh the costs.

• It builds credibility in your field.

• It creates new opportunities (both expected and unexpected).

• It allows you to scale your impact beyond the people you can reach in person.

• It helps you refine your voice and message over time.

As for the effect on family and mental health—this is where boundaries come in. We’ve (and more specifically, Julia) had to learn when to be “on” and when to step away. But at the end of the day, having an audience gives you more opportunities to share your perspective, shape your message, and connect with the right people, own your narrative, and create long-term value for yourself and your business. That’s worth it.

Tools to Make It Easier

There are so many great tools that didn’t exist when we started. If you want to be more visual, try Descript—a video recording software that converts video into a text-based editor. You can literally edit your videos from a Word document. Super cool.

AI tools can also be a great resource to help you get started. Don’t let them do all the work for you, but use them as a partner to refine your message and keep asking questions of yourself. Tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly can help with brainstorming, structuring ideas, and improving clarity. They’re not a replacement for your voice, but they can help you develop confidence and consistency in your content.

For writing, Substack or even LinkedIn can be great places to start if you want to share thoughts without relying on video or photos.

Start Small, But Start

If you’re feeling nervous, start where it feels easiest. Test different platforms and formats. Think about where you naturally communicate best—are you comfortable writing, speaking, or being on camera? If you love writing, start with Substack or LinkedIn. If you prefer talking, try short-form video. Identifying your strengths can help you choose a platform that feels the most natural to you.

Most importantly: just start. Start small but set a big commitment for yourself—publish 100 pieces of content before deciding whether to keep going. Depending on your platform, that might mean posting daily or a few times per week, you decide the cadence. You don’t need to have the perfect setup, the best camera, or the most polished writing. The biggest advantage you can give yourself is time—and the only way to get that is by starting now and staying consistent.