The Mistakes Creators (Who Also Have Jobs) Keep Making

If you’re a creator and a full-time professional, I want to talk to you for a second.

Because there’s a specific kind of tension that shows up when you’re trying to build a presence online while also holding down a day job (or a company, or a team):

• “I don’t want to step on any toes.”

• “What if this content looks weird to my boss?”

• “I should probably keep things focused on work stuff, right?”

Been there. Multiple times. Fully get it.

👉 I get a lot of people telling me I’m really good at building a personal brand while I was working a 9-5 and even now as my co-founders and I build Arena. And it’s true, I’ve done it across multiple roles, different teams, and industries.

But what people don’t always see is how much mental energy it takes. That balancing act between speaking up and staying safe is real.

I know the internal tug-of-war. That little voice that says,

• “Don’t post that.”

• “You can’t weigh in on it.”

• “Is this going to get me in trouble?”

Even when the post is totally harmless. Even when it could actually help you or someone else.

And the truth is that voice is what kept me stuck for wayyy too long. Not because I was wrong for being cautious… but because I didn’t realize how much it was costing me long term.

So today, we’re calling out a few common mistakes I see creators-with-jobs make (and a few I’ve totally made myself):

❌ Mistake #1: Making Your Entire Profile a Billboard for Your Day Job

Your headline? Company branded.

Your About section? Company boilerplate.

Your recent posts? All company wins.

Here’s the reality though. Your LinkedIn profile isn’t your company’s. It’s YOURS.

Yeah, show what you do. But don’t make your presence a static resume.

📌 Try this instead:

• → Create a headline formula: [What you do] + [Who you help] + [Something future-facing]

• → Use the About section to explain who you are beyond your job - share your POV, not just your path

• → Feature a mix of highlights: wins, takeaways, and moments from your journey

❌ Mistake #2: Only Creating Content About Work

Your job is one part of your identity, not your entire brand.

I’ve seen incredible marketers, founders, and strategists stay stuck in "corporate talking points" mode... but at the same time sitting on super smart ideas, frameworks, and lived real-word experience that could help way more people they’re looking to impact.

📌 Try this instead:

• → Rotate between 3 content buckets: Work, Process, and Perspective

• → Use storytelling to connect your work to personal lessons or values

• → Don’t be afraid to zoom out of your box. Some of your best posts might come from your life outside the job.

And if you’re spending way too much time trying to “be creative” when what you really need is something that actually sparks creativity…

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❌ Mistake #3: Letting Fear of What Your Employer Thinks Hold You Hostage

This one’s REAL. I’ve felt it too. 😔

But at the same time, the content that scares you a little can often be the exact content that helps your build trust and create opportunity.

And the wild part? The posts I thought my employer would be most “concerned” about? 99%* of the time they didn’t care.

And the ones that felt scary to hit publish on? Those were the ones that got me speaking gigs, DMs from leads, and opportunities I didn’t even know existed.

📌 Try this instead:

• → Start with “safe stretch” content: frameworks, lessons learned, day-in-the-life reflections

• → Avoid industry gossip or venting - focus on insight, not drama

• → Create a personal content policy: What do you feel good sharing? What feels off-limits (for now)?

📄 Template to try: Create a Personal Brand Guardrails Doc including the below:

• Topics I’m excited to speak on:

• Topics I’m avoiding (for now):

• My content intention:

• “Would I feel proud sending this to a future client or collaborator?” → Yes/No

*Like I previously said, this fear is VALID. Speaking for that 1% of content they did care about? TL’DR; ya, I’ve been asked to delete certain posts before. And also ya it felt like I was being restricted and suffocated. Which leads me to my next point…

❌ Mistake #4: Staying Quiet in a Role That Doesn’t Support You Publicly

If your job requires you to be completely “invisible,” even off the clock... that’s not alignment. That’s branding jail.

You deserve to be seen and build your voice. PLUS IN THIS ECONOMY?!, you need to create a professional identity that evolves with you, even after the role ends.

📌 Try this instead:

• → If you’re not ready to post publicly, start building your voice in private: journal, record voice notes, or draft posts.

• → Audit your network: Who’s already building their personal brand with a full-time job? Follow them, learn, adapt.

• → Set a personal brand goal for the next 30 days - no, not for followers, but for clarity and confidence.

Your Turn:

If any of these mistakes hit a little too close to home, here’s your challenge. Pick one of the four areas above and take action this week:

• → Update your LinkedIn headline or About section

• → Draft one post that shares a personal lesson (not just a project win)

• → Write out your personal content guardrails

• → Set a 30-day personal brand goal just for you

You 100% do NOT need to fix everything all at once. Just start building momentum somewhere and take it one day at a time.

You got this,

P.S. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure how to navigate your personal brand while managing your 9-5, I offer 1:1 content consulting call services. Whether you need help clarifying your message, brainstorming content, or figuring out how to build in public without burning out, I’ve got you - you can book a call here. We can cover everything from LinkedIn headlines to content ideas to building visibility while still doing your thing in your current role. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.