Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: The Mindset Shift Every Content Creator Needs
Waiting until you feel ready could be the biggest thing holding your creator business back. Learn why confidence comes from taking action, not waiting, and discover the mindset shift every content creator needs to grow.
If there's one thing I wish every aspiring content creator understood, it's this:
You don't become ready by waiting. You become ready by doing the work.
It's easy to believe that successful creators had more confidence, more talent, or more experience before they started.
But that's rarely true.
Most of us started before we felt qualified. This rings super true when it comes to me.
I Didn't Feel Ready Either
When I started creating beauty content, I wasn't a makeup artist.
I hadn't spent years working behind a beauty counter or teaching makeup classes. In fact, I didn't really learn makeup until I was in my late 30s. It’s really crazy when you think about it.
For a long time, I convinced myself I needed to know more before I could share what I was learning.
Maybe you've had those same thoughts.
"I'll start posting when my videos look better."
"I'll pitch brands after I get more followers."
"I'll apply for that creator program next year."
Those thoughts feel responsible.
They're actually keeping you stuck.
Confidence Is Earned, Not Found
One of the biggest mindset shifts in my creator journey was realizing that confidence isn't something you discover. Trust me when I say that this is easier said than done.
It's something you build.
Every video you publish teaches you something.
Every Reel helps you become a better storyteller.
Every carousel improves your ability to educate your audience.
Every brand pitch teaches you how to communicate your value.
None of that happens while you're waiting…remember that.
The creators you admire didn't magically wake up confident one day.
They became confident because they kept showing up.
Waiting Feels Productive…But It Isn't
Waiting often disguises itself as preparation.
You tell yourself you're researching.
Learning.
Planning.
Perfecting.
Those things matter, but only if they eventually lead to action.
Otherwise, preparation becomes procrastination. I know quite a few people who have been preparing for YEARS. Not even gonna lie to y’all.
Your next level isn't hiding behind another YouTube tutorial or another notebook full of ideas.
It's hiding behind publishing your next piece of content.
My Creator Business Didn't Grow Because I Went Viral
If you've been following my journey, you know something important:
My creator business wasn't built because one video exploded overnight.
It grew because I kept showing up.
I filmed consistently.
I tested different content.
I learned from every campaign.
I improved one video at a time.
Those small actions added up.
Looking back, there wasn't a single moment when I suddenly felt "ready."
There were hundreds of moments when I chose action instead of perfection. To be honest, it’s always the videos that I didn’t feel ready for that did the best numbers. Why? Because I chose to show up, and that authenticity of being myself resonated with so many of you.
Three Things You Can Do This Week
If you're waiting for permission, this is it.
1. Publish the video you've been overthinking.
Done is better than perfect. PERIOD!
2. Pitch the brand you've been afraid to email.
The worst outcome is hearing "no." Never be afraid of the ‘no’s because it’s preparing you for the yes.
The best outcome could change your business.
3. Apply for the opportunity you don't think you'll get.
You don't get to decide you're not qualified before they do.
Let someone else tell you no.
Don't do it for them.
That motto alone is why I applied for the Ulta Beauty Collective for the third year. Every year that I’ve applied has prepared me for how to handle myself the following year. I continue to show up, despite not hearing yes, and continue to build my page and community.
Final Thoughts
Every creator reaches a point where they have to decide:
Will I wait until I feel confident?
Or will I create until I become confident?
The answer will shape your entire creator journey.
Because confidence isn't the prerequisite.
It's the reward.
So post the video.
Send the pitch.
Apply for the opportunity.
Start before you feel ready.
Your future self will thank you for it.
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Stop Waiting for Brands to Find You. Build a Page They Want to Hire Instead
If you're waiting for brands to discover you, you're missing the bigger opportunity. Learn the simple changes that make your content more appealing to brands, even if you don't have a massive following.
One of the biggest misconceptions I see from creators is this:
"Once I get enough followers, brands will start reaching out."
The truth?
Brands aren't just looking at your follower count. They're looking at your entire creator presence.
Every time someone from a brand lands on your page, they're asking themselves one question:
"Can I picture this creator representing our brand?"
If the answer isn't immediately clear, they'll move on.
The good news? Most of the things brands are looking for have nothing to do with having hundreds of thousands of followers.
Here are five ways to make your page more attractive to brands.
1. Make It Obvious What You Create
When someone lands on your profile, they should know exactly what kind of content you make within a few seconds.
If you're a beauty creator, your recent posts should consistently reflect that. If you create lifestyle content, your audience and brands should immediately understand your niche.
A clear focus helps brands quickly decide whether you're a good fit for a campaign.
2. Show Consistency, Not Perfection
You don't need viral videos every week.
Brands would much rather work with someone who consistently creates quality content than someone who went viral once and disappeared for a month.
Consistency builds trust. It shows you're dependable and serious about your craft.
3. Create Content That Looks Like a Partnership
One of the easiest ways to attract paid opportunities is to create content that already feels brand-ready.
Review products you genuinely love. Demonstrate how you use them. Share honest opinions. Tell stories.
When brands can easily imagine how you'd feature their product, you've already answered one of their biggest questions.
4. Make It Easy to Contact You
This sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many creators make themselves difficult to reach.
Include your email address in your bio. I’ve found that most brands won’t click the ‘email’ button on Instagram, so it’s best to just put it in your bio.
If a brand has to hunt for your information, there's a good chance they'll move on to someone else.
5. Think Like a Brand Manager
Before you hit publish, ask yourself:
"If I worked for this company, would I feel confident sharing this creator with my marketing team?"
That small mindset shift changes everything.
Instead of creating content just to chase views, you start creating content that builds credibility.
And credibility is what leads to long-term partnerships.
—
Stop worrying about whether brands are finding your page.
Instead, focus on building a page that's ready when they do.
The creators who consistently land partnerships aren't always the ones with the biggest audiences. They're the ones who make it easy for brands to say yes.
If you're ready to take the next step, my workbook, The Pitch That Gets You Replies, walks you through the exact pitching framework I use to help creators write outreach emails that actually get responses.
A great pitch gets someone's attention, but a brand-ready page helps close the deal.
Work on both, and you'll put yourself in a much stronger position for future partnerships.
The Biggest Mistake Small Creators Make When Trying to Get PR
Think you need more followers to get PR? Think again. The biggest mistake I see small creators make has nothing to do with audience size and everything to do with how they present themselves online.
Every week I see creators asking the same question:
"How do I get on PR lists?"
Most people assume the answer is more followers.
It's not.
In fact, one of the biggest mistakes I see has nothing to do with audience size.
The problem is that brands can't immediately tell what kind of creator you are.
Your Profile Should Tell a Story
When a brand lands on your profile, they should know within seconds:
What niche you're in
What type of content you create
Who your audience is
Whether you're a potential fit
If a beauty brand visits your page and sees random lifestyle posts, food content, vacation photos, and one makeup video from three months ago, they're going to move on.
Not because your content is bad.
Because you're unclear.
Brands Need Evidence
Creators often say they want beauty PR.
But brands aren't looking for intentions.
They're looking for proof.
Your profile should show:
Consistent beauty content
Product reviews
Tutorials
Product recommendations
Before-and-afters
Beauty conversations
The more evidence you provide, the easier it is for a brand to say yes.
Make It Easy to Contact You
Another mistake I see constantly?
No email in the bio.
You would be surprised how many creators want brand partnerships but don't provide a clear way to get in touch.
Your email should be easy to find.
Not hidden in a link.
Not buried on another page.
Visible.
A Quick Profile Audit
Ask yourself:
If a beauty PR manager landed on my profile today, would they immediately know I'm a beauty creator?
If the answer is no, that's where I'd start.
If your profile isn't clearly communicating what you create, don't worry—it's one of the most common issues I see during creator audits.
That's one of the reasons I created The Pitch That Gets You Replies. Inside, I walk through how to position yourself, pitch brands, and present your creator business in a way that makes it easier for brands to say yes.
You don't need 100,000 followers to get noticed.
But you do need clarity.
The easier you make it for brands to understand who you are and what you create, the easier it becomes to earn opportunities.
Before you worry about pitching, make sure your profile is doing its job.