Building a Platform with ADHD: Suggestions for Uniquely Wired Writers

Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

When I was in the fourth grade I won a young authors competition. I still remember how amazing it felt to hold my “book” in my hands and know others had read it and enjoyed it. I’ve aspired to be a published author ever since. For many years, I thought that goal could be achieved by simply getting better at putting words together and telling compelling stories. The reality is, getting paid to write in today’s world is about so much more than words. It’s now also about the audience, the algorithm, and the email list. Whether you’re self-publishing, going the traditional route, or trying to make a living off your writing in any way, one thing is clear: writers are expected to be marketers, too.

For creative minds, that expectation can feel overwhelming. It’s not just the time and effort involved that make it challenging. It’s the mental load of constantly putting yourself out there and facing rejection or judgment. And if you’re a writer with ADHD? That mental load can feel extra heavy thanks to RSD and executive function struggles.

There are very few exceptions to the rule that you will be the primary person expected to sell your work, but there may be ways to make building a platform easier for your ADHD brain. Here are a few things that heave helped me grow an engaged audience without burning out.

Identify a platform that plays to your strengths

Are you great at delivering a mic-drop moment in your writing? Platforms like Threads, X or Bluesky are perfect for super short form writing and don’t require video or graphic design skills.

Can you write a great script that delivers an impactful message? Consider you tube for longer form video or Tik-Tok, Instagram or you-tube shorts for quick videos.

Do you enjoy combining visuals with words to convey an impactful message or teach a concept? Instagram carousels might help you find your audience.

Do you enjoy writing longer pieces and personal essays? Maybe Substack is the right fit for you.

Once you have identified your primary platform focus on growing that audience first. Too many ADHDers feel the pressure to show up on every platform, immediately and get overwhelmed before they even begin.

Work on your perfectionism

Perfectionism might not be the first thing people associate with ADHD, but for many of us it’s a coping mechanism we unconsciously adopted as an attempt to shield ourselves from the pain our symptoms can cause. Add in rejection sensitivity and a noisy inner critic, and suddenly that Instagram or Substack post feels like it has to be flawless—or it’s not worth doing at all. That pressure often leads to procrastination or avoidance.

As an ADHD writer who struggles with spelling and has a brain that works so fast it struggles to “see” typos I had to build the belief that my writing and content didn’t have to be perfect to have value. Unwinding perfectionism has played a huge role in my ability to build a platform, create content somewhat regularly and eventually navigate the publishing process.

Create simple/flexible structure

Every platform comes with its own set of experts ready to give you advice on creating content calendars, fostering growth and monetizing your page. Their advice isn’t necessarily bad, but it may not be designed for ADHD brains. For example, if you are prone to rumination and over thinking, batching your content ahead of time might not be for you. All those pre-planned posts may sit in your drafts indefinitely if you have too much time to think about it.

Think about creating a simple approach that allows for a bit of the novelty your ADHD brains craves. For me this looks like a goal of posting 3 times per week on Instagram and following a pattern of one infographic, one reel and one carousel post. This means every time I sit down, I know what type of format I will use and then can adapt to whatever topic or thought is on my mind. I keep an “idea list” to pull from for the times I feel uninspired. Having at least one decision predetermined goes a long way towards battling analysis paralysis. There are times I post more often or experiment with new content strategy but having this bare minimum plan helps me keep going even when my executive function struggles feel more intense.

Use your writing as inspiration for content

Some of my most inspired content was written in the months I was hyper-focused on completing my manuscript. After a writing session I would take a few moments to identify if there was a quote or concept I could break down and use for an Instagram post. I was able to churn out content much more quickly during this time because I was already in the weeds researching and formulating ideas. Using small tidbits of your writing as inspiration for content is a great way to help future readers find you and win their support.

When you build your platform around your ADHD strengths, it stops being a struggle and starts becoming a creative extension of your work.

We may not have chosen the challenges that come with ADHD, but we can choose how we show up in our creative lives. Building a platform isn’t about being everywhere or doing everything—it’s about finding a rhythm that lets you share your voice without burning out. Your creativity deserves space, and your platform can be built on your terms.