How to Overcome Stage Fright as a Content Creator
Anna here 👋 Last week, I had two different clients tell me they were experiencing what could only be described as stage fright.
They’d been posting consistently all summer. They’d grown their audience. They were proud of the content they were putting out. But then… the pressure started to build.
Suddenly, they froze. It mattered so much to them that they didn’t want to mess it up.
I’ve been there, too. I’ve had seasons where I was on a roll — video after video performing well — and then one day, I couldn’t think of a single thing to say. My life is my source material, so if I’m not feeling well, running low on energy, or I don’t have content saved up, it’s easy to hit a wall.
If you’ve ever felt that stage fright creeping in, here’s my simple guide for getting past it.
Remember: Stage Fright Is Totally Normal
Every content creator experiences this at some point. It doesn’t mean you’re bad at what you do. It means you’re human — and that your content matters to you. Think about it: if you didn’t care, you wouldn’t feel the pressure.
Identify the Real Barrier
When you freeze, pause and ask yourself: What’s actually getting in my way?
It might be:
Anxiety — that “what if it’s not good enough?” spiral
Low energy — physical fatigue or emotional burnout
A slow season — nothing exciting going on, so you feel like you have nothing to share
Example: Last week, I had two days where I was just drained. Physically and emotionally, I wasn’t in a place to create high-energy videos. Just naming that helped me decide what to do next.
Lower the Barrier to Entry
One of the biggest sources of content creator anxiety is the pressure to make something “excellent.”
When you’re already feeling tired or stuck, that standard is crushing.
Instead:
Aim for “good enough” instead of “excellent.” Your goal isn’t to go viral — it’s just to publish something.
Reduce your expectations for the day. Maybe it’s a short tip instead of a big, edited voiceover video.
Repurpose an older piece that worked well — it’s new to someone in your audience.
Ironically, when you lower the stakes, you often free yourself up to create something truly great.
Adopt the “Next Play” Mindset
In sports, if you miss a shot, you don’t replay it in your head — you focus on the next one.
Do the same with your content:
If you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up
If something flops, don’t delete it in shame
Just move on to the next post
High self-criticism is fuel for more stage fright. Self-compassion keeps you in the game.
Build a Backup Content Bank
When your energy is low or you’re feeling stuck, having prepped content can save you.
Your backup bank could include:
Draft videos you never posted
Old posts that performed well (reshare them with a fresh hook)
A list of quick, low-effort content ideas (e.g., answer a FAQ, share a behind-the-scenes moment, react to a trending sound)
Example: I keep a Notes app folder with short prompts like “3 mistakes I made when I started PBA” or “the one thing I tell every new creator.” On low-energy days, I can just pick one and go.
Remember, Action Cures Stage Fright
The truth is, action — not hiding — is what breaks the cycle.
You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to keep going. And more often than not, the act of creating something (anything) will bring your confidence back.
If you’ve been feeling that pressure to “perform” online:
Lower the stakes
Identify your barrier
Keep taking the next shot
Because posting consistently on social media doesn’t mean being perfect. It means showing up in all seasons, even the low-energy ones.
If you want more tools like this, join me inside Personal Brand Accelerator. It’s a community where creators, entrepreneurs, and writers learn how to tell their stories, stay consistent without burning out, and build an audience that genuinely cares about them and their work. Click here to join us with a free trial.
