Why Overthinking Your Content Is Hurting You (And How to Fix It).
Most viral posts aren’t planned.
They happen when you least expect it. The ones you polish for hours? Crickets. The ones you jot down in two minutes? Viral.
Why? Because effort smells.
When you try too hard, people can tell. It’s like when someone wears way too much cologne—instantly overwhelming. But when you show up naturally, people lean in.
Why Overthinking Kills Engagement
The biggest mistake creators make? Overthinking.
If you’re crafting a “perfect” post, you’re probably making it worse.
If you’re trying to sound smart, people will ignore you.
If you’re just speaking your mind, people will listen.
The best content feels effortless. Not because it wasn’t written with care, but because it wasn’t forced.
The 90/10 Rule: The Secret to Writing Better Content
Here’s a simple rule: 90% unfiltered, 10% refined.
What does that mean?
Write like you’re texting a friend. Drop the corporate fluff. Avoid forced insights.
Refine, but don’t over-edit. Fix typos, shorten long sentences, but keep the original energy.
Hit post. Stop second-guessing. Your best posts are often the ones you write fastest.
Over-editing kills authenticity. If it sounds too polished, it feels fake. People don’t share content that tries to go viral—they share what resonates.
How to Stop Trying Too Hard (And Actually Write Better Content)
Forget the algorithm. When you write for engagement instead of writing something real, people notice. And they tune out.
Write fast, edit lightly. Some of the best posts happen in a single take. Let the words flow, then clean them up—don’t rewrite the soul out of them.
Trust your instincts. If something feels right, post it. Don’t overthink whether it’s “valuable enough.”
The moment you stop trying to be impressive, you actually become interesting.
Write what you want to say. Not what you think will “perform.”
That’s what makes content go viral.