10 Tips to Show Up Confidently on Instagram in 2025
Confidence is Your Secret Weapon for Success
Be Real, Not Perfect: 10 Proven Tips to Boost Your Confidence as a Creator and Grow Your Business in 2025
As a creator or business owner, confidence is one of the most powerful tools you can wield. In today’s social media-driven world, showing up authentically is the key to building relationships, engaging with your audience, and growing your business.
But here's the catch: it’s easy to get caught up in the need for everything to be perfect before you post, share, or create.
Let’s put that myth to rest right now—perfection isn’t the goal. In fact, it’s often the very thing that holds you back. Whether you’re marketing on Instagram or any other platform, showing up as your true, unpolished self is what will actually resonate with your audience.
This post is packed with 10 actionable tips to help you boost your confidence as a creator, let go of perfectionism, and build the kind of community that will propel your business forward in 2025. Ready to take your social media marketing to the next level? Let’s dive in.
🔗 Don’t forget—follow @thekatelynrhoades
Mindset Shifts: Let Go of Perfection, Embrace Progress
Before we dive into the actionable tips, we need to talk about your mindset. Confidence doesn’t magically appear—it grows through thought shifts and actions. The first step in building confidence as a creator is changing how you view your content and how you show up online.
Done is better than perfect—This is the most important mindset shift you need to make. The idea of creating “perfect” content can paralyze you, but remember, your audience cares about connection, not flawless production. If you’re posting content just to impress others, it might not truly resonate. Focus on providing value and serving your community through your expertise, experience, or story. Perfection will never create connection—authenticity does.
The second mindset shift is that confidence grows with action. It’s easy to wait until you “feel ready” or “perfect,” but confidence doesn’t come from inaction. It comes from stepping out of your comfort zone, trying new things, and learning as you go. With every post, video, and story you share, your confidence will grow. This approach works wonders, especially for platforms like Instagram, where constant engagement is key to building a strong brand presence.
Tip 1: Start Small with Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are an excellent place to begin your confidence-building journey. Unlike regular posts or Reels, Stories feel less permanent and less intimidating, giving you the chance to practice without the fear of messing up. Plus, Stories are a great way to share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business, personal life, or creative process, which helps build a deeper connection with your followers.
Actionable Tip: Start by sharing simple, casual updates in your Stories. Show your workspace, talk about something you’re working on, or share a random thought. The key here is to start small and let your audience get to know you beyond the polished posts. You’ll feel less pressure, and as you keep posting, you’ll grow more comfortable.
The beauty of Stories is that they disappear in 24 hours, so you don’t have to worry about perfection. This is your chance to experiment with new ideas, engage your audience, and get comfortable on camera. Over time, you’ll find your rhythm and be more confident in your ability to create and share content, especially in real-time situations.
Tip 2: Record Videos Without Posting Them
If you’re not yet comfortable showing your face on Instagram or creating videos, don’t worry! One of the best ways to build confidence is through practice, and you don’t have to go live right away to get started.
Actionable Tip: Record short, 15-30 second videos of yourself talking about your work, your life, or something relevant to your business. You don’t have to post them—just practice seeing yourself on camera. Review the footage, take note of what you liked, and look for areas where you can improve. This simple exercise will help you feel more comfortable being on video when it’s time to hit “publish.”
As you continue recording, you’ll begin to notice your confidence growing. And before you know it, those initial nerves will fade, and you’ll be creating high-quality video content that resonates with your audience. This tip is perfect for Instagram, where videos and reels are a major part of the content strategy.
Tip 3: Build a Content Strategy Around Authenticity
Consistency is key when it comes to social media marketing. To truly build a lasting presence on platforms like Instagram, you need a strategy that balances creativity with authenticity. That means it’s not about posting every single day—it’s about posting strategically and consistently showing up as your true self.
Actionable Tip: Create a content plan that reflects your business values, your expertise, and your personality. This doesn’t mean you need to post just for the sake of posting. Instead, focus on creating a content calendar that aligns with your goals and gives you space to be authentic.
For example, share a mix of educational content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, client testimonials, and personal stories. These diverse content pillars will not only keep your Instagram feed interesting but will also allow you to show up consistently without stressing over perfection. Remember, progress over perfection will always lead to better results.
Tip 4: Engage and Celebrate Your Wins
The more you engage with your audience, the easier it will be to show up confidently. Social media is a two-way street, so take the time to reply to comments, respond to DMs, and engage with your followers’ content as well. This will build a community that’s supportive and invested in you, which will make showing up feel more natural.
Actionable Tip: Celebrate your small wins along the way. Whether it’s your first Reel, a new follower, or an encouraging comment from your audience, these milestones help reinforce the progress you’re making. Share these wins on your Instagram, letting your followers see your growth and your journey.
By celebrating your progress, you’ll also inspire your audience to keep pushing toward their own goals. And as your community grows, your confidence will grow with it. So, don’t hold back—share your wins, engage with your audience, and keep building that confidence!
Tip 5: Be Real, Not Perfect
In 2025, the key to growing your business on Instagram and other social platforms is authenticity. Confidence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being real and showing up consistently. Remember, the more you practice, engage, and embrace imperfection, the more your confidence will grow—and so will your business.
Don’t wait for perfection to strike—start taking action today, and let your unique voice and story shine through. Your audience is waiting for you to show up as your true, authentic self. Let’s make 2025 the year you stop chasing perfection and start thriving in your authenticity.
Learn all 10 tips on the podcast
Want to dive even deeper into building confidence and growing your social media marketing presence in 2025?
Listen to the latest episode of Call Her Creator, where I discuss these tips and share even more insights to help you boost your confidence as a creator.
Tune in now to get actionable advice that’ll help you level up your Instagram game!
And don’t forget—follow @thekatelynrhoades on Instagram for more expert tips, strategies, and behind-the-scenes content to help you grow your business and build a lasting, authentic brand. Let’s connect and start showing up real, not perfect!
