Have you ever gone to post a picture you took on Instagram, but stopped yourself out of fear that others would judge you?
If so, you’re not alone! VALLEY understands that the fear of vulnerability is common for college-aged students, especially those who are aspiring content creators. The good news is that with the right mindset, you can overcome any fears you may have to unleash your full creative potential.
The Psychology Behind Vulnerability
First, let’s talk about the psychology behind vulnerability. Why are we so afraid of being judged by other people? Why does it seem that we are being more vulnerable when people we know personally — like family members or old high school friends — will be looking at our work? It all comes down to the fear of failure. Maybe, we’re scared to be our full selves, especially on the internet, because we don’t want to let people down. Maybe, we don’t want to put our all into creating content because of a desire to protect our self-image in case we mess up.
Here’s the thing — vulnerability is not a weakness. In fact, it’s a strength. It takes courage to share your ideas, thoughts and goals with the world. The most successful people in life are the ones who take risks, put their authentic selves into the world and work hard to accomplish their goals. It’s difficult to be vulnerable at first, but once you embrace that vulnerability you embrace the opportunity for growth.
Overcoming Your Fears and Joining a Community
So, how do you overcome your fears in order to accomplish your goals? Whether that’s becoming a YouTuber, a writer, a photographer, a model or a brand representative, the first step is to shift your mindset.
Instead of worrying about the criticism you may receive, try to see it as an opportunity for improvement and growth. If you want to receive feedback on your content from like-minded individuals, consider joining online communities/platforms for content creators. One such platform is College Fashionista, a community of college students who have a passion for fashion, beauty and the latest trends. You can share your content with other college students who share similar interests and will give you their honest feedback and tips.
Another way to overcome your fears is to focus on your own personal goals. To set goals, ask yourself what you want to accomplish and how you can get there. Once you’ve set an overall goal, work your way backward until you can set small, everyday goals that will help you get there. For example, let’s say you want to gain Instagram followers and decide that you want to start posting more content. If you have a goal of posting once per day, then stick to it. Don’t let negative comments from others deter you from accomplishing your goals.
How to Get Started as a Content Creator
Once you’ve embraced vulnerability and set your goals, it’s important that you have the right resources to get started. Luckily, there’s a plethora of online resources available for content creators, such as graphic design tools, editing software and social media platforms. If you eventually want to monetize your content, consider looking into branded sponsorships and affiliate marketing. With sponsorships, you’ll get paid for things like creating content and posting on certain platforms. Affiliate marketing is when you get a commission off the product you’re promoting every time the brand makes a sale.
Before you start creating content, it’s also important to determine your strategy. Consider the following when creating your strategy:
- Your own personal voice: What do you want to share with the world? What can you bring to the table that others can’t? Let your personality shine through as you create content that you’re passionate about.
- Your audience: Who is your target audience? Who do you want to reach and why? What do you want them to learn from you?
- Your game plan: What kind of content will you be posting? Videos? Pictures? Blogs? How often will you post and on what platforms?
Having a clear plan in place can help you reach your goals faster. Setting up a content calendar with websites like Hootsuite or Loomly can also help you stay organized and consistent in your content creation.
Conclusion
The fears of vulnerability and failure are fears that many content creators encounter at some point. With the right mindset, resources and tools, you can overcome any fear you may have that’s preventing you from accomplishing your goals. Always remember to embrace vulnerability, stay true to yourself and create content you’re passionate about. Only then will you grow.
Tag us on Instagram, @VALLEYmag, with any content you’re inspired to create. We would love to see your creations!
