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Straight Up

I helped 600+ founders find clarity, focus, and alignment in their message, offer, and content to boost their brand awareness and engagement.

Join 500+ sole proprietors getting no-nonsense insights every Friday from one solopreneur to another on branding, brand messaging, and personal branding and how they connect to everything you do.

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Clear as Vodka: Refining Your Message for Resonating Success

Clear as Vodka: Refining Your Message for Resonating Success Read Time: 4 minutes Ever felt like your message is a ship lost in the fog? You're not alone. In a sea of information overload, the beacon of clear communication is more crucial than ever. It's not just about what you say; it's about ensuring it lands with impact. In today's edition, we're tackling how to make the fog lift to communicate your message more clearly. Thanks to Erin for the question. 🍺 The excitement and overwhelm in...

about 2 months ago • 5 min read

The StraightUp Truth: Constraints are Your Creativity Ally Read Time: 4 minutes "Don't constrain me!" For many business owners, the secret to growth is NOT expansion. It's contraction. More specifically, they need to apply constraints. In today's edition, we're talking all about how constraints - despite ending with aint - are exactly what many founders need to create their ideal business or practice. Thanks to Erin for the question. 🍺 "But I'm afraid if I narrow my focus, I'll kill my...

about 2 months ago • 4 min read

From Mundane to Magnificent: The Boring Truth Behind Every Success Story Read Time: 4 minutes Ever heard the saying, "Practice makes perfect"? Well, turns out it's not just a cliché your grandma used to say – it's the secret sauce to entrepreneurial success. Let's face it: there's an overwhelming amount of glitz and glam 'overnight success' stories that resonate with the "I want it now" crowd. But the truth is, those stories are more fairy tales than reality. The true path to success is a lot...

2 months ago • 5 min read

Simplify to Amplify: Master Any Concept with the Feynman Technique Read Time: 3 minutes 35 seconds Ever felt like 'thought leadership' is just another buzzword, like 'synergy' or 'innovative'? Well, it's time to strip away the fluff. I stumbled upon a gem 💎 called the Feynman Technique, and it's like finding a rare whiskey in a sea of cheap beer. Cheers to Bridget for the question. I get asked about “thought leadership” a lot, specifically, how does it help with your business or career? I get...

2 months ago • 5 min read

Stirring Up Success: The Secrets to Crafting Brand Messaging That Speaks Your Customer's Language Read Time: 3 minutes There's a secret to connecting with your customers, and it's simpler than many would have us think. Today, we're mixing a cocktail of wisdom, focusing on a critical ingredient of brand messaging: using your customer's words. Cheers to Stacy for the question. 🍷 When working with clients, one of the key activities we do early on is an exercise I call the 4Os. During the...

3 months ago • 5 min read

Mixed Signals: Is Your Brand's Message Clear or Confusing? Read Time: 5 minutes Today's newsletter topic addresses a fairly common challenge for you, my solo peeps - How do I know if my message is clear (enough)? Great question, and it's brought to you by StraightUp reader Dan. Dan, thanks for the question. 🍺 Ever feel like your brand's message is as clear as a foggy night in London? You're not alone. Many entrepreneurs struggle with articulating who they are and what they do. I've found this...

3 months ago • 7 min read

Time to Shake Things Up? Master the Art of Rebranding! Read Time: 4 minutes Today's newsletter topic addresses a fairly common challenge for you, my solo peeps - Rebranding from one industry or direction to another. When is the right time, and how do you do it? Cheers to Ken for the question. 🍺 You probably don't know it, but I rebranded in 2023. While it was the most straightforward decision I've ever made, it was challenging. Like switching from Kolschs to Sours, it was a little rough at...

3 months ago • 5 min read

Ditching the Chaos: A Solopreneur’s Blueprint to Conquer Overwhelm Read Time: 4 minutes Wow. Thank you. You all delivered. I received fantastic feedback and questions about solopreneurship, branding, personal branding, and brand messaging. If you'd like to provide your two cents, here's the LINK. Thanks to Claudia for today's newsletter topic - Avoiding Overwhelm as a Solopreneur I remember when I first started my business. There was so much to do. Marketing Write emails Create optins Build...

3 months ago • 6 min read

Craft Your Brand Like a Signature Cocktail Read Time: 3 minutes Imagine walking into a bustling brewery. As you walk towards the bar, you notice the same drink on a few tables. Having not been to this bar before, you lean in and ask someone at a table what they're drinking. They tell you it's the bar's signature drink. Curious, you head to the bar and order one; it's like nothing you've ever had before, and that is exactly what your brand should be – a signature drink in the world of...

4 months ago • 5 min read

Fractional CXO: The Solopreneur’s Power Pour Read Time: 4 minutes Last week, as I was helping my client develop her offer, she mentioned she is considering pivoting to become a fractional CMO. The CXO route can be a good model to consider if you have the skills to pull it off; not everyone has the mad skills of Tom Cruise in Cocktail. My client has those mad skills, and I wondered if any StraightUp folks are considering the CXO route, so let's take a quick trip down the CXO lane and see what...

4 months ago • 6 min read
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