Overcome Overthinking: The Introvert’s Guide to Confident Content Creation on LinkedIn

December 21, 2023
Personal Branding

Ever stared at the blinking cursor on LinkedIn, paralyzed by what to post? You’re not alone! Especially if you’re an introvert, that cursor might feel like an interrogation light. But wait—why not turn that spotlight into your stage?

Being an introvert in the digital age is a unique challenge. On one hand, social media platforms like LinkedIn offer the ideal setting for you to shine in your own subdued way. On the other hand, the thought of putting yourself out there can be daunting. Overthinking sets in. You type, delete, retype, and eventually abandon the whole idea, convinced that nobody would care what you have to say. Sound familiar?

As a raging introvert myself, who’s spent 20+ years overcoming all the content creation hurdles, I promise you, it gets easier. It’s time to stop thinking about posting and start posting about thinking. Your unique voice deserves to be heard, and there’s no time like the present to amplify it. The best thing about LinkedIn? You can shine without shouting.

The Introvert’s Mind: A Double-Edged Sword

Why are introverts prone to overthinking? We’re simply wired differently! Research suggests that introverts have a higher activity level in their prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for deep thinking, problem-solving, and planning. This natural affinity for reflection can make you more analytical, detail-oriented, and insightful.

This cerebral nature can be both a blessing and a curse.

Why Introverts Overthink

Depth Over Breadth: Introverts prefer going deep into topics rather than skimming the surface. While this leads to well-thought-out content, it can also lead to over-analysis.
Fear of Misinterpretation: The ability to see various angles and implications of a situation means you’re keenly aware that words can be misconstrued, which can cause hesitancy.
High Self-Awareness: Introverts are naturally self-reflective. This can lead to overthinking about how your content reflects on you, instead of just sharing your thoughts.
Quality Over Quantity: The introverted mind values meaningful interactions and is often critical of shallow or redundant content, causing you to question the worthiness of your own posts.

Your Cerebral Nature is a Superpower, If…

Now, your cerebral nature isn’t something to suppress; it’s something to harness! When you focus this analytical power properly, you can create insightful, deep, and engaging content that stands out from the sea of superficial posts. Here’s how:

Targeted Content: Use your analytical skills to identify what your audience truly values. Craft posts that speak to these specific needs or questions.
Unique Insights: Your propensity for deep thought allows you to make connections that others might not see. Share these insights and elevate the conversation.
Thoughtful Engagement: Use your cerebral nature to engage meaningfully with comments on your posts. Thoughtful replies can turn a casual follower into a dedicated fan.
Plan and Execute: Your love for planning can be an asset. Plan a content calendar, decide on themes or topics you want to cover and execute it. You can meticulously measure the impact and adjust your strategy as you go along.

This superpower only truly shines when it doesn’t paralyze you. The key is to find that sweet spot between thoughtful deliberation and decisive action. In the context of LinkedIn, this means thinking carefully about what you want to say, but not to the point where you never say anything at all.

Why Us Introverts Need To Get “Over” Overthinking

Clarity of Thought: When you actually get past the overthinking hurdle, you achieve clarity. Your thoughts are organized and your message is clear. No more waffling around!
Personal Branding: By posting meaningful content, you’re developing your personal brand. People will start associating you with certain topics and viewpoints—exactly what you want.
Greater Reach: The more you post, the more LinkedIn algorithms work in your favor. Your posts reach a wider audience, including potential clients and collaborators.
Increased Confidence: The action of posting in itself can be empowering. The more you do it, the less daunting it becomes. Trust me, it gets easier.

Why It’s Time To Stop Penning and Start Publishing!

Audience Engagement: Your followers are following you for a reason. They want to hear from you. Engaging content keeps your audience interested and attracts new followers.
Thought Leadership: Consistent posting positions you as a thought leader in your field. Remember, you don’t have to be an extrovert to be an expert.
Networking: Think of each post as a mini networking event (minus the awkward mingling). People who comment are engaging with you; reply to them and create connections.
Business Growth: Over time, your consistent posting could lead to new opportunities and collaborations that you never imagined. It’s the ripple effect of the digital world.

Tips for Getting Past Overthinking

Batch Content: Write multiple posts when you’re feeling inspired, then schedule them for later. This takes off daily pressure.
The 20-Minute Rule: Give yourself a time limit. Say, “I’ll post something in the next 20 minutes.” You’ll be surprised how a little urgency can clear up indecision.
Phone a Friend: Have a trusted colleague or friend look over your content. Sometimes, all it takes to boost your confidence is a second opinion.
Embrace Imperfection: Not every post will be a masterpiece, and that’s okay. You learn more from the posts that didn’t do well than from those that did.
Daily Prompts: Use daily themes like #MotivationMonday or #ThrowbackThursday to spark ideas. Sometimes, constraints actually fuel creativity.

So can I challenge you with this? Take one of the tips above and put it into practice today. Yes, today. I’m serious. Schedule a post, reply to a comment, share an article—do something that puts you out there. Then come back and tell me how it went. Our community needs more thought leaders like you, leaders who find their strength in stillness and project their power quietly.

To your success,

Leanne

Follow Leanne on LinkedIn™

Ready to take your personal branding game to the next level? Brand Plan Academy is launching in January – an on-demand program designed to help you find your unique offer and voice, and cultivate it to a place where you can Shine, Quietly and create impact and influence in your industry. You can sign up to be notified of the course details here.