Algorithms have changed. Feeds today aren’t built on who you follow, but on what you’re interested in. That means sharing many parts of yourself isn’t a weakness—it’s exactly how people discover you.

After 10 years of creating content and building a personal brand online, here are the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned about staying true to yourself, finding joy in the process, and navigating the highs and lows of visibility.

Here’s how the power of storytelling helped my client go from 10K to 20K — and how she’s continued to grow by showing up with depth, creativity, and a blend of real life and real skill.

I went to Charleston for work — to help a client bring more of her writing into her short-form video content — but the city left its own creative mark on me. Charleston feels like one giant movie set: cinematic, colorful, and full of charm. Here’s everything we did, ate, and loved; plus the spots my followers insist I try next time.

If you’re torn between building your brand under your personal name or a business name, you’re not alone. Here’s why starting with your name builds trust faster and when it makes sense to branch out into a separate business brand.

 I’ve been posting 3x more on TikTok and Instagram lately—and it’s shifting everything. My reach, my mindset, my connection with my audience. Here’s what I’ve noticed so far, and why I’m planning to keep going.

When I met Colette, she was in the midst of a personal and professional transformation. With a clear vision and relentless drive, she set out to build a brand that reflected her story—and within a year, she landed a top literary agent, signed a Big Five book deal, and booked a TEDx talk. This is the story of what it really takes to turn purpose into momentum.

What if your lack of motivation wasn’t the problem, but the symptom? In this new post, I share what I’ve learned about feeling stuck, playing small, and the surprising power of going bigger than you think you’re ready for.

Allison wasn’t ready to go all in, but eventually, that’s exactly what she did. Through deep strategy and storytelling, we built a personal brand that honored where she came from and pointed clearly toward her next chapter. This was a reinvention that changed everything.

Last year, I walked away from a book deal and published my memoir chapter by chapter on Substack. Here’s what it really took—and everything I learned along the way

I didn’t grow my audience by being perfect. I grew it by telling the truth, even when it felt small, unpolished, or uncertain. In this post, I’m sharing how emotional honesty helped me reconnect with my voice, reach more people, and build a brand that actually feels like me. If you’ve been overthinking your content or holding back on sharing what’s real, this one’s for you.

You finally know your purpose. So… why does posting still feel hard? This week’s post is about what to do after the clarity comes. How to create from a place of alignment without overthinking every move, and how to trust that your life is the strategy. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to “stay on message,” this one’s for you.

Most people think you need a niche to grow online, but what you really need is purpose. In this post, I share the story of how I stayed consistent while launching my memoir, Lonely Girl, and how purpose—not strategy—was the thing that carried me through when the algorithm didn’t. If you’ve ever felt stuck, cringey, or exposed while creating content, this post will help you root deeper and keep going.

When I first started my business, I thought I had to pick a niche to succeed. But it wasn’t until I stopped boxing myself into one category — and started sharing my real life — that everything changed. In this post, I’m sharing how I built an audience of over 250k followers without choosing a niche, why niching down often backfires for personal brands, and how you can grow by becoming the niche instead.

Can you really grow without posting every day? The short answer is yes — but it’s not about doing less, it’s about doing it better. In this post, I share the exact strategy I used while launching Lonely Girl to stay visible without burning out. Whether you’re balancing big life changes or just tired of chasing the algorithm, you’ll learn how to create high-impact content, repurpose what’s already working, and build momentum that lasts.

In October 2021, everything was working. My content was flowing, my audience was growing, and I felt aligned. Since then, I’ve returned to the same 3-pillar framework—again and again. In this post, I break down what truly makes content effective, sustainable, and deeply satisfying to create. Whether you’re building a brand, growing a Substack, or just trying to be consistent online, this is for you.

You don’t need to post every day to grow. You just need to say the right thing, in the right way.
This post breaks down the next step after consistency—how to refine your message, write better hooks, film more intentionally, and create content that actually lands. Whether you're a full-time creator or just trying to show up more honestly, this is for you.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your creativity is take a break. I’ve found that the more I try to force myself to create when I’m burnt out, the harder it gets. That’s why I take regular 'artist’s dates'—solo outings without any agenda. I’ll take a walk in nature, go to a museum, or just sit in a coffee shop, and these moments of solitude help me regain my strength to show up again.

If recording videos feels miserable, it’s not because you’re bad at it—it’s because the process isn’t working for your brain. Instead of forcing yourself to do it the hard way, make it easier. Write down what you want to say first. Try voiceovers instead of talking to the camera. Or just hit record and let yourself ramble—then edit the best parts later. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is to create and share. However you get there is entirely up to you.

Worried about annoying people by posting every day? You’re not forcing anyone to watch—you're simply airing your “channel.” Consistency builds trust, familiarity, and engagement. Learn why repetition works and how to confidently show up without fear.

Ever feel stuck on what to post next? In this post, learn how to tap into your 'story brain' and create content that keeps your audience coming back for more.

Feeling uncertain about the TikTok ban? You’re not alone—but this could be the start of something new. In this post, I’m sharing my personal TikTok journey, why this moment matters for creators, and four key strategies to protect your content, save your audience, and embrace new opportunities for growth as a content creator.

What does it take to go from feeling stuck to truly thriving on LinkedIn? Jason Burke did it—and you can too. By sharing authentic war stories, celebrating his big wins, and owning his underdog comebacks, Jason didn’t just quadruple his following—he built real connections and a platform that resonates.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through exactly how Jason found his voice and grew his reach, and how you can use the same strategies to tell your story and get noticed.

Your story matters. Let’s dive in and make it shine.

When I started serializing my book on Substack, I had zero subscribers. Through relentless promotion on TikTok, IG, and Substack Notes, I turned it into a thriving audience of paid readers. Here’s exactly how I did it—and how you can too.

Great stories show us what changed. In this post, I break down how to craft compelling personal stories by focusing on the internal shifts that drive that change. Learn my simple formula for storytelling—Beginning, Pivot, End—and discover how to create emotional, relatable content that connects with your audience. Plus, find out how you can get support in building your brand through the Personal Brand Accelerator community.

A personal brand story without a clear throughline can feel scattered and confusing. In this post, I break down what a throughline message is, why it's critical for effective storytelling, and how to use it to keep your content focused. With examples and tips, you'll learn how to craft a story that resonates and keeps your audience engaged.

Discover the key strategies behind building a strong social media presence with consistent posting, tailored content for TikTok and Instagram, and deep engagement with your core supporters. Learn why storytelling is essential for real results and how focusing on meaningful relationships can drive success.

I wrote one weekly newsletter for the entire year, and the journey has been transformative. I initially focused on technical branding topics, but I discovered the power of writing from the heart about subjects that truly interest me. In this post, I share my insights on how to create authentic, engaging content that resonates with readers (and yourself, too)!

Feeling unsatisfied with your content on social media? I’ve been there. Learn how I decided to change my approach. This shift not only doubled my engagement and boosted my followers but also gave me a renewed sense of confidence. In this journey, I've learned that dissatisfaction is an invitation to change and that asking tough questions is key to success. Join me as I share insights from my own experiences and provide practical tips on how to elevate your personal brand.