Most brands online are forgettable. They blend into the same sea of “buy my course” posts, bland stock photos, and recycled advice. But the ones you remember? They feel like a person, not a PowerPoint slide.
Here’s how to make yours stick—without the corporate jargon.
Why Your Brand Feels Like a Ghost Right Now
You know that friend who changes their personality depending on who they’re with? That’s what most brands do—and it’s why nobody trusts them.
Your audience isn’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for clarity. Think about the accounts you actually follow:
- “The guy who rants about marketing like he’s yelling at his coffee machine.”
- “The designer who makes you feel like you could actually learn Illustrator.”
- “The finance coach who explains money like you’re at a bar, not a boardroom.”
That’s not an accident. It’s strategy. Here’s how to steal it.
Step 1: Pick a Lane (Then Own It Like a Bulldog)
Trying to appeal to everyone = appealing to no one. Choose one of these vibes and go all in:
- The No-BS Teacher (Example: “Stop wasting time on ‘viral’ trends—here’s what actually works.”)
- The Relatable Mess (Example: “My business almost failed 3 times—here’s how I fixed it.”)
- The Unfiltered Critic (Example: “Why ‘personal branding’ advice is mostly garbage.”)
- The Cheerleader (Example: “You’re way closer to success than you think—let me prove it.”)
Pro tip: Your brand should make someone think, “Oh, this is definitely for me… or definitely NOT.” No lukewarm reactions.
Step 2: Talk Like a Human (Not a LinkedIn Bot)
Your voice matters more than your logo. Ask yourself:
- Would I say this out loud at a party, or does it sound like a press release?
- Am I trying to sound ‘professional’ instead of real?
Bad: “Leverage synergistic paradigms to optimize your workflow.”
Good: “Here’s how I saved 10 hours a week by ignoring ‘productivity hacks.’”
Even better: Write like you’re texting a friend. Grammar rules optional.
Step 3: Look Instantly Recognizable (Without Fancy Design Skills)
You don’t need a Pantone color—just consistency.
- Pick 1-2 fonts (one for headers, one for body text) and stick with them.
- Use the same filter on all photos (VSCO’s A6 or something moody works).
- Steal this trick: Add a quirk—like always putting a 🚨 emoji before hot takes.
People should recognize your post before they see your name.
Step 4: Take a Stand (Even If It Loses Followers)
Vanilla brands get ignored. Spicy ones get remembered.
- “I don’t work with clients who expect overnight success.”
- “No, I won’t tell you to ‘post daily’—that’s trash advice.”
- “If your website looks like it’s from 2004, we can’t be friends.”
Bonus: The haters who unfollow? They weren’t buying anyway.
Step 5: Nail Your One-Sentence Pitch
If someone asks, “What do you do?” and you ramble for 5 minutes, you’ve lost. Try this:
“I help [specific people] get [result] without [thing they hate].”
Examples:
- “I help burned-out freelancers double rates without working weekends.”
- “I teach solopreneurs how to sell without being sleazy.”
- “I roast bad websites so you don’t end up on my feed.”
Why This Works
A strong brand isn’t about being liked—it’s about being remembered. It’s the difference between:
- “That one marketing account… you know, the blue one?”
- “Oh, you mean the guy who compares sales funnels to Tinder dates?”
Be the second one.
Conclusion:
- Pick a personality (and stop trying to please everyone).
- Write like you talk (emoji-friendly, jargon-free).
- Look consistent (but don’t overthink it).
- Piss off the wrong people (it means you’re doing it right).
- Summarize your brand in 8 words or less (or keep getting ignored).
Now go fix your bio—it probably still says “Digital storyteller & thought leader” or some nonsense.