Confident in Your Work, But Not in Marketing It?

Why So Many Dyslexic Business Owners Struggle With Visibility, and What Can Help.

If you’re confident in your work but freeze when it’s time to tell people about it – you’re not alone. This blog is especially for you.

In fact, it was inspired by someone close to us. A friend’s husband, who’s dyslexic and brilliant at what he does – finds marketing really difficult. He can do the work, no problem. But when it comes to talking about it? That’s where things shut down. His wife thinks it’s a confidence issue. We agree, and we know he’s far from the only one.

So, if you’re reading this (yes, you), we just want to say: You’re not doing anything wrong. You don’t need to be a wordsmith or a slick content creator. You just need a way to market your business that works with your brain, not against it.

Let’s unpack what’s going on, and what can help.

Why Marketing Feels So Hard When You’re Dyslexic

Most dyslexic people aren’t short on skills… they’re short on self-trust when it comes to expressing what they do.

Here’s why marketing often feels overwhelming:
– Fear of getting the words wrong: spelling, grammar, and clarity can all cause panic
– School trauma: many of us were criticised for how we wrote or spoke, and that fear still lingers
– Fear of being judged: social media can feel like a classroom where someone’s always watching
– Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD): even kind feedback can feel like failure
– Overwhelm: marketing is fast, word heavy, and constant – not ideal for neurodivergent brains
– Comparison: it’s easy to feel “not good enough” when others seem more polished or articulate

This isn’t about laziness. It’s about how deeply vulnerable marketing can feel when you’re dyslexic.

Confidence in the Work ≠ Confidence in the Words

You can be amazing at your job, and still feel blocked when it comes to showing up online.

Personally, I’ve been there. When I started out, I questioned whether I had a place at all. I compared myself to people offering services I wasn’t trained in, and it shook my confidence. But my desire to leave a judgemental job gave me the push I needed.

Since then, I’ve passed exams, handled tough inspections, and had directors say “you’re in safe hands.” I know I’m good at what I do. But even now, I sometimes have to remind myself, especially when the self-doubt creeps in.

If you relate, you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong for finding it hard.

So What Can Help?

Here are a few small but powerful shifts that can make a big difference:

Use Voice Notes Instead of Writing
Speaking feels easier than staring at a blank screen. Say what you want to say out loud, then use a tool like otter.ai to turn it into text. Not confident tidying it up? That’s something we can help with.

Try Canva – or Let Us Show You
Canva is a free design tool with ready-made templates for social media posts. It’s brilliant for visual thinkers. You don’t have to be a designer, just pick a layout, change the words, and go.

Don’t Do It Alone – Try Body Doubling
If you keep putting marketing off, you’re not lazy, you’re likely overwhelmed. Body doubling means working alongside someone else. It creates structure and makes it easier to start.

Get Help With Writing
You don’t have to do everything yourself. At Dyslexia Desk, we write posts with you, not for you. We use your voice, your ideas, and just make it easier to say what you really mean.

Keep a Feel-Good Folder
Save positive feedback, results, milestones, or kind comments. Let your own evidence speak louder than fear.

What to Say When Someone’s Asking for Help in a Facebook Group

Let’s say someone posts in a local group: “Can anyone recommend a good plumber?”

You want to respond, but your brain goes blank, or you start overthinking what to say. That’s completely normal, especially if you process information a little slower.

Tips:
– Keep a few ready-made replies saved on your phone or notes app
– Stick to short, clear, and friendly language
– It’s okay to reply later, save the post and come back when you’re ready

Example replies:
“Hi [name], I’m a qualified plumber based locally and would be happy to help. Feel free to message me or call [your number]. Thanks!”

 

“I’d be happy to help – I run [business name] and we specialise in [your service]. You can message me or call [your number] to have a quick chat.”

Free Resource – Coming (Just Not Quite Yet…)

So here’s the thing…

This blog? It was inspired literally the day before it was due to go out. And in true “I’ve got this!” fashion, I fully believed I could write the blog *and* finish a full downloadable guide in time. Spoiler alert: I could not.

But that’s also part of the dyslexic experience, isn’t it? Time doesn’t always behave the way we think it will, but that’s a conversation for another day!

Right now, I’m off to see actual Oasis (yes, the real deal – I KNOW!), and next week I’m taking a break because even the busiest brains need rest, music, and a proper recharge.

So, the guide’s not ready *yet*. But it will be soon. And it’ll be full of useful, dyslexia-friendly tips to help you start marketing with confidence.

Want it the moment it’s done?
Sign up to our newsletter and we’ll send it straight to your inbox the second it’s ready.

www.dyslexia-desk.co.uk
hello@dyslexia-desk.co.uk

Thanks for sticking with us – and remember, you don’t have to do it all at once.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some very loud lyrics to scream. 😄🎤