Even if you have one follower you are an influencer- Jenna Kutcher

I want to tell you a story, that came to mind as I listened to @JennaKutcher’s podcast “The Secret to Overcoming Impostor Syndrome”

Two years ago, I received an email from a Sr. Manager at an Internet Marketing Agency from Mumbai. They said:

I’m writing to you since I thought you might be interested in promoting (SPONSORED) one of our clients in the travel niche. Since you already have a great travel blog & following on social media our client will also benefit from this association.

Pump the breaks. I had not even been writing for 6 months when I received this email…did they really say I had a great travel blog and following?!

Furthermore, they said:

If you’re interested, please send me your quotation per article for writing, publishing & socializing on social media. This will be a long-term and ongoing activity so request you to provide quotation accordingly for below terms.

My first thought was, “Me…really? This is so cool!”.

Then Sabotage Sally (the devil on my shoulder) comes creeping into my thoughts

“Bitch, you’ve never been to India. What authority do you have to write about this?”

“How much do I charge them? If I charge them X if that too much, am I being greedy?”.

I graciously thanked them but turned down the offer. I was afraid of not being able to produce good content and didn’t feel I had all the tools to be a successful

“If I have X number of followers, then I can charge X or if I have X number of publications, clients, sales, then I can consider myself a INSERT title here”.

Have you felt like that?

I wish I could have told Caren what she knows now. Caren, you do not have to have all the answers. Friends, I tell you the same, YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.

Turns out there are templates for media kits (rate sheets), people who write about places THEY'VE NEVER BEEN. I know that now.

Something that has helped me to combat Imposter Syndrome is changing the internal dialogue I have with myself. Instead of saying, “I don’t know how to do this”, I say “What resources or connections do I have that can help me in these next steps”.

Second, surround yourself with likeminded people who understand where you’ve been and can help to support you.  

Third and most importantly, CLAIM YOUR TITLE.

Who do you serve?

How do they serve them?

What is their end result?

This can help you to feel less of an imposter. And lastly, as @JennaKutcher says “it’s not your job to convince others that your job or business is valuable, worthy or successful”.