
Subtlety Is Dead: How to Stand Out in Business (even if you are a shy introvert...)
If you’re running a business in today’s world, here’s the hard truth: subtlety is dead.
That’s a phrase one of my client’s used recently and it struck a chord immediately. Subtlety is Dead.
Fading into the background is no longer an option - especially when it comes to how you show up in your marketing and social media.
You used to be able to simply provide great service, be around long enough, and you’d make money.
The landscape is more savvy, more crowded, and more active than ever. If you’re not making an impact with your marketing, you are invisible and forgotten about. And maybe facing dropping revenues, or even closing your doors.
And unless you have a nearly unlimited budget to spend on branding and paid ads, you are like the rest of us – building your business through authentic relationships & networking, quality service & word of mouth, community engagement activities, and social media.
Here’s why your social media & marketing is not producing as many leads as you hoped:
The Attention Economy Is Ruthless
Social media algorithms and short attention spans mean you have about three seconds to capture someone’s interest before they scroll past. If your message is too soft, vague, or generic, it won’t land. You need to be clear, bold, and direct about who you are, what you do, and why it matters. Be authentic and be bold!
Differentiation Is Everything
Every industry is packed with businesses that sound the same. If you’re not leaning into what makes you uniquely you, you’re just another option in an ocean of choices. The strongest personal brands today stand out because they double down on their values, their personality, and their authentic story. People connect with people, not faceless businesses.
Authenticity Wins – AND It Has to Be Amplified
Being genuine isn’t enough if no one knows about it. The businesses that thrive are the ones that show up consistently, share their real experiences, and let their audience see them. The more people can relate to you, the more they trust you. And trust leads to sales, referrals, and long-term success.
So how do you stand out authentically?
Be clear and confident in your message – no more playing small. Be bold!
Share your unique stories, experiences, lessons, and insights often.
Show up with energy and conviction, not just “check-the-box” content. What would you want to read if you were only going to read one blog post today?
Speak directly to your audience’s pain points and desires. Know who your best clients are and speak to them! Clearly. The best early marketing advice I ever received, “Chris, if you’re speaking to everyone, you’re speaking to NO ONE.”
Share exactly what the main benefits (NOT so much the advantages or features!) of working with you or your company. What will they get from it at deeper, more meaningful levels!?
In a world where noise is the norm, quiet businesses get lost.
You don’t have to be an energetic extrovert to own your marketing and business space.
You simply need to be bold, clear, authentic, and consistent!
Stand tall, own your space, and make sure your presence is felt. That’s how you break through the crowded noise and build a business that thrives.
“Often, in the real world, it's not the smart that get ahead but the bold.”
- Robert Kiyosaki
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