Your Message Matters: Overcoming the fear of showing up online

You know that showing up online is important for your business—but every time you think about hitting ‘Post’ or ‘Record,’ something stops you. Fear. Overthinking. Self-doubt. The need for "perfection". Sound familiar?

I've been a performer for years. Whether it was singing as an opera soloist, or acting in film and theatre, I've been doing this "performing" thing for years. But there is something about being yourself that changes everything. I still remember the first time I had to do a livestream. My hands were shaking. The script I'd rewritten twelve times sat crumpled in my sweaty palm. I'd already rescheduled this self-imposed deadline ten times. The pit in my stomach felt like I was about to jump out of an airplane rather than just hit "go Live" on Facebook.

Sound familiar?

Seven years and thousands of videos later, I still get nervous. But I've learned something powerful along the way: the message God gave you to share matters infinitely more than the fear trying to keep you silent.

This isn't just motivational fluff. This is business truth.

Why We Hide When We Should Be Seen

Before we talk solutions, let's be honest about what's really happening when we avoid showing up online. As purpose-driven entrepreneurs, our visibility fears often run deeper than just camera anxiety or perfectionism.

We tell ourselves practical excuses:

"I need better equipment first."

"My office isn't Instagram-worthy."

"I'll start when I lose twenty pounds."

"I don't have enough followers to matter yet."

But beneath these surface-level concerns often lies something deeper – a spiritual struggle. A battle between purpose and fear. Between serving others and protecting ourselves. This internal conflict represents the fundamental tension we experience between our higher calling to contribute meaningfully to the world around us and our natural instinct for self-preservation. When we face challenges, this struggle intensifies as we weigh our desire to fulfill our potential against the vulnerability that comes with stepping outside our comfort zones. The fear of rejection, failure, and not being accepted or loved can paralyze us, keeping us from authentic expression and meaningful connection. These deeply human anxieties often become the invisible barriers that prevent us from pursuing our true purpose. The spiritual dimension of this battle manifests in how we reconcile our deepest values with our daily choices, forcing us to confront whether we will live according to our highest principles or succumb to anxieties that limit our impact.

When I founded Live Fearless Media in 2017, it wasn't just a clever business name for me. It became my daily reminder to trust Him even when terrified. Because that is what I was, abosulutely tarrified. I had been unemployed for over a year, desperate and broken. I had been rejected more time then I could count and I was afraid of being rejected by those I desperately wanted acceptance from. The name itself was both my business model and my prayer. A momentary reminder that no matter how hard things got or how unsure I was of those next steps, God would provide.

The Real Cost of Staying Hidden

Your fear of visibility isn't just costing you followers or likes. It's costing you: Business growth. Relationships with ideal clients. Revenue opportunities. The chance to serve people who need exactly what you offer.

But most importantly? It's costing you fulfillment. The deep satisfaction that comes from walking in your purpose and using your gifts fully.

During the height of the pandemic, I hosted over 500 live events in just 12 months. Was I an extrovert who loved being on camera? Absolutely not. I can act my butt of but having to just be me well that was a whole different story. I was terrified. But the mission was bigger than my fear. People needed connection, hope, and community during lockdown. That trumped my discomfort.

Those lives led to opportunities I couldn't have imagined – events in Times Square, partnerships with the New York Mets, content that reached 2.5 million people in a month, the expansion of my company, in-person speaking engagements, and more.

Not because I was special. Because I was willing.

Mindset Shifts for Visibility Courage

Overcoming visibility fear starts with reframing how you think about showing up online. Here are three perspective shifts that transformed my approach:

From Self-Promotion to Service

When you view visibility as self-promotion, fear makes sense. None of us want to seem prideful or self-important. But what if you reframed visibility as an act of service?

Your story, expertise, and experiences aren't just about you. They're tools God has given you to help others. When you hide these gifts, you're not being humble – you're withholding solutions from people who need them.

Ask yourself: "Who needs to hear what I have to say today? Who might be waiting for exactly what I can offer?"

From Perfect to Present

Perfectionism is fear wearing a productive disguise. It whispers that you're not ready yet, that one more edit or one more course will finally qualify you to be visible.

But here's what I've learned building Live Fearless Media: people don't connect with perfection. They connect with presence. With authenticity. With the messy, beautiful reality of a real person showing up consistently.

Your audience doesn't need you to be flawless. They need you to be faithful – to your calling, your message, and your commitment to serve them.

From Outcome to Obedience

When we obsess over metrics – views, likes, comments, sales – visibility becomes paralyzing. Every post feels like a referendum on our worth and business potential.

The freedom comes when you shift focus from outcomes to obedience. Your job isn't to control the results. Your job is to show up faithfully with the message you've been given.

I've sent emails that flopped and created content that seemingly disappeared into the digital void. I've also had messages reach millions. The difference between success and failure wasn't my worthiness – it was God's timing and purpose.

Focus on being faithful with what's in your hands today. The impact isn't your responsibility.

Practical Steps to Overcome the Fear of Showing Up Online

Mindset matters, but so does practical action. Here are five steps that helped me transition from a terrified, unemployed woman to someone who's produced events in Times Square and Citi Field:

Start in Safe Spaces

You don't need to go from zero to viral TikTok star overnight. Build visibility muscles gradually.

Begin with Instagram Stories that disappear in 24 hours. Join supportive Facebook groups where you can practice showing up on video. Create content for small, encouraging audiences before tackling more visible platforms.

My first videos were just for my mom and a couple close friends who I did life with. No shame in starting small. If your looking for a community that will support you in your creative process check out our our Live Fearless CEO's private community group. There you can go live, post your content and get feeback in a safe nonjudgemental environment. 

Use the 5-Second Rule

When fear strikes, count backward from five, then take action before your brain can rationalize backing out. 5-4-3-2-1-GO.

This simple technique, popularized by Mel Robbins, has helped me push through countless moments of resistance. It works because it bypasses your brain's protective fear response and activates the prefrontal cortex – the decision-making part of your brain.

I've used this before going live, before pitching high-ticket clients, before walking on stage. It works.

Create Without Sharing (At First)

Practice creating content without the pressure of publishing it immediately. Record videos just for yourself. Write posts you don't share yet. Get comfortable with your voice, your message, and your delivery. This gives you time to play with style, editing, and tonality so you will be happy when you do post. At best your batching content that you might use in the future. At worst your getting your reps in. And trust me it's all a matter of practice.

These practice pieces remove the immediate fear of judgment while building the muscles of content creation.

Use a Visibility Accountability Partner

Find someone who will lovingly hold you accountable to your visibility goals. Share your content calendar with them. Set joint challenges. Celebrate wins together.

Early in my business, this is why I hired coaches. I didn't want my friends to have to be my accountability partner. If you have a friend who works in this capacity, that is fantastic. But if you would rather keep the world of friend and accountability partner separate, find a coach or a mentor who can hold your feet to the fire. They can't make you get it done, but that simple accountability is often the difference between action and avoidance.

Track Your Courage, Not Just Results

Create a "courage calendar" where you track each time you push through fear to be visible. This shifts your focus from external metrics to the internal victory of showing up.

I still keep a journal where I note every time I do something that scares me in my business. When imposter syndrome hits (and it still does), those pages remind me how far I've come.

When Purpose Exceeds Fear

The most powerful moment in your visibility journey comes when your sense of purpose finally outweighs your fear. This isn't about fearlessness. It's about living fearless – moving forward despite the fear, because what you're called to do matters more than the comfort of hiding.

I founded Live Fearless Media because I had to give myself a job when no one would hire me. But it became so much more. It became a mission to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs use the power of strategic content to grow businesses that serve others. That mission has carried me through countless moments of fear and doubt. It can do the same for you.

Your business isn't just a business. It's a platform. A ministry. A vehicle that a higher power has trusted you to share.

Will you let fear keep that message locked away? Or will you step out, even with shaking hands, and trust that your faithfulness will be met with grace?

The world needs your voice. Your expertise. Your unique perspective.

Your message matters more than your fear.

Don't forget to Live Fearless.