“Is this sentence right?”
“Is this paragraph enough?”
“Is this page total garbage?”
Yep, this sounds familiar. If this is you right now, trust us when we say we’ve been there (probably an hour ago). We reckon that you’re feeling this way because you think you’re “not a writer.” Is that striking a nerve?
These thoughts are a surefire sign of imposter syndrome, something a lot of business owners and professionals struggle through. What is imposter syndrome? It’s feeling like you’re a fraud. It’s doubting every move you make. And it often rears its ugly head when you’re trying to write about your business.
A few weeks ago, there was a lot of talk inside our Facebook group (you should join us) about mindset. Imposter syndrome came up quite a bit. Why? You know your business, but you may not be 100% familiar with writing. Unfortunately, it’s easy to feel like a “failure” simply because you’re trying something new.
Hold Up, Let’s Boost That Confidence Real Quick
Before we dive deeper, let’s stop for a second. As copywriters, we often forget why we’re here. Sure, we deliver content that helps business owners connect with their audience. But, you know what else we strive to do? Help you connect with yourself.
This might be a bit “woo-woo” for some. But we know what a little confidence boost does for those weary fingers in need of typing inspiration. So, repeat after us:
- I am enough.
- I have something special to share with the world.
- I have a unique message that needs to be heard.
You don’t have to be a prolific writer to create website content for your business. Just like anything else, trying something new comes with a learning curve. Now isn’t the time to give up, though; someone needs you.
Just because you’re struggling a bit doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you need to tell imposter syndrome to hit the road.
3 Tips for Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb
It’s time to change your mindset by overcoming imposter syndrome. Over time, we’ve found some tips that have helped us defeat our own mindset monsters. We want to help you do the same, so you can get back to writing.
1. Revisit Your Why
Most of the time, we question ourselves when we don’t have a plan or when we don’t know the purpose of what we’re writing. One of the best ways to get out of the self-doubt rabbit hole is to revisit the “why” behind the content project.
- What business objective will this content help me reach?
- Who is this content for?
- What is the outcome my audience is seeking from this content?
After answering these questions, create or revisit a content plan. For example, create an outline of what you want to cover on each website page. Or, create a summary of a page you’re writing and then dive into each aspect of the summary. This will help you understand the purpose of the content and inspire you to move forward.
2. Focus on the Positive
You knew this was coming, didn’t you? The truth is, positivity works. When you feel imposter syndrome creeping back in, combat it with positivity. You’re a business owner who’s taking steps to create a website that has the potential to change someone’s life. Remember that and let it push you forward.
If you’re a visual learner, try posting some positive quotes around your workspace. Or, take some time to write down those negative thoughts and throw them in the garbage. It sounds silly, but sometimes action can help you break the nagging cycle of negativity.
3. Just Write
Trust us when we say this: sometimes you just have to do it. Try writing one word, then a sentence, then a paragraph. Just move forward. As Anna from Arendelle would say, “Do the next right thing.”
Writing is just like everything else—the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it.
Feeling Stuck? You’re Not Alone.
You’re not the first to struggle with imposter syndrome and you won’t be the last. If you feel like you’re stuck and unable to move forward with your writing project, we’re here to help. Take the next step and send us a message.
