You’ve probably heard the term confidence gap used to describe the internal struggle so many entrepreneurs face—the tendency to underestimate our capabilities even when we’re more than qualified.

But here’s something I’ve observed again and again:

The confidence gap doesn’t just show up in your thoughts. It shows up in your writing. In your marketing. In how you present your work to the world.

You can be excellent at what you do—even brilliant—but if your message doesn’t sound confident, your audience won’t feel it. And if they don’t feel it, they won’t act.

Here’s what that might look like:

  • You hedge your language with phrases like “just,” “I think,” or “hopefully”—even when you’re stating a fact.
  • You bury your offers or accomplishments at the bottom of your page or profile, as if they’re an afterthought.
  • You write in a tone that’s cautious instead of clear—not because you don’t know what you’re talking about, but because you don’t want to sound too bold.

I get it. Many of us were raised to be “polite,” to wait to be noticed, or to let our work speak for itself. But here’s the truth:

Your words are often the only introduction people will have to your work. And if those words are uncertain, the opportunity may pass you by—even if you’re exactly who they need.

Years ago, one of my coaches made the comment that if you don’t let people know how brilliant you are, they will find someone who does. And that means, you could be letting others down as you are actually the best qualified to help them.

Think on that!

Now, this doesn’t mean adopting a brash tone or puffing yourself up with false bravado. Real confidence in your message comes from clarity, alignment, and truth.

It’s about:

  • Saying what you mean, without apology.
  • Owning your experience, without minimizing it.
  • Communicating your value, without waiting for permission.

And sometimes, the most powerful shift doesn’t come from finding your voice—it comes from realizing you’ve had it all along. You’ve just been whispering when you needed to speak.

Take a moment to consider:

Where in your writing—or your business—are you still whispering when you’re ready to speak with confidence?

What would shift if you said what you really mean?