Why is Starting Your Dream Business so Scary?

Creating content for your business's social media is a great way to connect with people, but a lot of people fear putting themselves out there.

Let's Explore The Biggest Reason Starting Up a Business Can Be Scary. And Why You Should Do It Anyway!

Over the years, I have had many business ideas, some good, some not so good.

I have even started and run two small businesses in different industries. However, that was years ago. Before the internet took over, before online was how you were even seen.

Now, I have launched a couple more small start-ups, and one thing I am realizing they have in common, most predominantly, is that this whole starting a business thing can often be pretty scary.

Scary for different reasons. Opening a business requires a ton of time, effort, funding, risk, and guts. I am a born introvert, and I struggle with insecurities about creating a business for the whole world to see. But that isn't going to stop me, and it shouldn't stop you either. There are so many ways you can show up loud or quietly. It depends on your personality, your brand, your type of business, and most importantly, what you're comfortable with.

That's likely one of the reasons you want to be in business, so you can make your own rules.

Just navigating through the many tasks to even be able to open a business can be overwhelming, but when you think too far ahead about the to-do's you can quickly feel defeated.

I suggest you create buckets and lists for them. Here is an example of how I broke out my task lists into buckets:

🏷️ Business Name & Registration

• Brainstorm business name ideas (consider branding, meaning, uniqueness)

• Check name availability:

• Secure domain name (preferably .com or industry-specific TLD)

• Create and reserve social media handles (consistent across platforms)

• Register the business name:

🧾 Legal Structure & Licensing

• Choose a business structure (LLC, sole proprietorship, corporation, etc.)

• Register with local, state, and federal authorities

• Apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS

• Obtain necessary business licenses and permits (local and industry-specific)

• Draft operating agreements or bylaws (if applicable)

✅That was just a couple - there are more things to check off to launch, find a list here:

Full Business Checklist

And so on on so forth. This made it much easier to complete each step and move on to the next phase. I also set a timeline for myself to finish each bucket.

The Scary Part:

But one of the biggest, scariest things about opening your business these days (and I've heard this from many people with small businesses), is putting yourself out there on social media....😱

So terrifying! People can be mean, ruthless, and aggressive, and that stops a lot of people from showing up on social platforms. However, you should do it anyway. The chance to succeed and do something you love is worth it. It will feel terrible when you get criticized or a bad review, but you know what? That's showbiz, baby! And for every internet party pooper there will be a thousand others out there rooting for you and engaging with your content in the best ways.

So, try not to focus on a bad review or comment, handle it professionally (not defensively, your reaction is what people are actually looking at, which can be challenging, but you are representing your brand/business and want to reflect this even during confrontation), and move on. The exception is hate speech or inappropriate comments; delete or hide those, and block the user.

Fire up your social media accounts and start showing your audience your services, products, etc. You don't have to dance on TikTok, I promise, unless of course that's your jam.

You can also ask someone to help you or be the face of the content/videos if you are shy. Faceless content does very well, too. Get creative and start making videos, watch for fun brand-safe trends, and start posting.

So Now We Know Why It's Scary, but This Is Why You Should Consider It a Vital Tool for Your Business

Showing up organically on social media is powerful for building brand authority and trust because it creates genuine, ongoing connections with your audience, without relying on ads. Here's why it works so well:

✅ 1. Consistency Builds Credibility

• Posting regularly shows you’re active, reliable, and serious about your brand.

• Over time, consistent presence makes you top of mind in your niche.

✅ 2. It Humanizes Your Brand

• People trust people, not logos. Organic posts let you share behind-the-scenes content, your values, and your voice.

• Showing your face, team, or process makes your brand feel real and relatable.

✅ 3. You Provide Value Without Selling

• Tips, stories, and content that help or entertain build trust before you ever pitch.

• This positions you as an authority, not just a salesperson.

✅ 4. Social Proof Grows Naturally

• As people engage (likes, comments, shares), others see that you're trustworthy.

• Testimonials, user-generated content, and community interaction reinforce credibility.

✅ 5. It Builds a Loyal Community

• When followers feel heard and valued, they stick around.

• Engaging in comments or DMs shows you care, which deepens brand loyalty.

✅ 6. Algorithms Reward Authenticity

• Platforms often prioritize organic content that drives engagement.

• Real, value-driven posts can outperform ads in terms of reach and impact.

Building an online presence organically is most often a long game; be consistent, and build a history of valuable content in your account. Eventually, your audience and community will find you.

Let's follow each other, this is where community starts!