The Biggest Obstacle Stopping People From Writing Online (And What to Do About It)

02 Jun 2025 #writing

“I don’t want to expose myself,” an ex-coworker texted me.

He had noticed my LinkedIn posts and reached out to ask me how to start. He knew that writing opens doors but feared exposure. That’s one of the most common writing myths.

If you have the same concern:

#1. You don’t have to share selfies or post foot photos. Selfies work best on Facebook or Instagram… And there are places for foot photos.

#2. It takes time and consistency to make people care. Your first post won’t make you an Internet celebrity. Magazines won’t write gossip articles about you. Your first post will be crap. (Mine were.) And nobody will care, not even your boss.

And that’s fine. That’s not to discourage you, but to remove all the pressure of writing.

#3. Don’t share anything you wouldn’t mention in a work meeting. You can keep your online presence as professional and personal as you want. If you’re a coder, start sharing TIL posts.

Forget about going viral. Forget about the influencer vibe. Write for one person. Write for your past self. Share what you’re learning. Show your work. That’s the best way to start.