What is the opposite of an oversharer? If no definition exists, we can always add my picture to that dictionary page. As an introvert, I find it hard to get really personal with my writing, especially in a business context. Yet I know that vulnerability can help me to make connections with other people (writing this makes me feel like a robot explaining what it means to be human) and contribute to topics I care about. Here’s how I balance what I think for everyone is a fine line, and some content inspiration:
Decide on your lines ahead of time
For some people, sharing what they ate for breakfast, what their children had for breakfast, their last doctor’s visit, the state of their marriage, everything is on the table. Despite my secret admiration for their bravery, I do think that some people need to read the opposite of this article, what elements they might consider making less public (see: state of marriage). As a general practice, I like to review what I’ll share ahead of time and then stick to it. It’s almost like a personal style guide. Considerations can include whether you’ll talk about family, hobbies, the place you live, your political opinions, or your opinions on pop culture. Your decisions will likely depend on the kind of writing you do regularly, but at least thinking about these lines can help you from having to think about it with every post.
Share based on pop culture
For the introverts in the crowd, pop culture can be a good place to start sharing your opinions. It’s low risk because it’s a step removed from your life, and likely a number of readers will have heard of the topic. Bringing those references into adjacent topics can be a challenge. How can you fit in a reference to your favourite binge or the last movie you saw? What did you think about the latest AI release? By contributing to the conversation that everyone is having, your voice can become one of many, and it can get you more comfortable with the sharing process (feeling like a robot again writing that…). After a few of these contributions, revisit your list of decisions and see what area might work for your next share.
Think about how productive it is
If you’re working in a particular field, it makes the most sense to contribute your opinions there. Make a list of the top five issues under discussion this quarter and add what you have to say about it. The further you get from your niche, the less impact your opinion will have, so consider if the world really benefits from having your words on the topic out there, or whether your creative energy might be better spent on a topic closer to home.
