I loved this article! I’ve been told for years that I’m “the best kept secret.”
Two degrees, 20 years of clinical work, 15 years of writing, and a book about to be published, yet I have not built a big following. I’ve worked with depth, integrity, and seriousness in the health space, even when that didn’t translate into becoming a well known 'personal brand'.
Meanwhile, it’s been hard not to notice how far some people get without the credibility, rigour, or original thinking to sustain it. But as you say, that gap eventually shows.
I suspect the tide is turning. People are tired of AI-generated sameness, short-form certainty, and unqualified noise. There’s a growing hunger for work with weight, real expertise, earned over time.
And this line says it perfectly: "focusing on usefulness to your ideal audience rather than impressiveness to everyone."
That feels like the quiet correction we’re moving toward and one I’m very ready for.
I love this comment Susan, thank you! You're exactly the type of person I write for - experienced and credible, with weight in your words and purpose in your heart.
I'm on the same page: I too feel the tide is turning (albeit ever-so-slowly) against the noisy 'personal brands' whose chief aim is to go viral and get seen everywhere, but who unfortunately don't have the bona fides or depth of thinking to back up their efforts. A "quiet correction" as you say (love that term!) - just like we're now seeing raw and unpolished video on social media overtake slick production in popularity.
Great advice Trevor. Platforms like LinkedIn have trained us to always think how we can ‘gamify’ our engagement. Not only does it mean we end up putting algorithm before audience, it’s also an inherently individualistic endeavour. And knowing this affects how we view content on those platforms (contrived; performative). Of course some people do it genuinely/effectively like you said! I struggle with it - ever since I learned about ‘amplification circles’ it’s all I can see… Anyway - was great to see some alternatives shared, particularly around contribution/collaboration through new ideas. It gives me hope! Thank you
Cheers Kathy! I call it the algorithmic erosion of identity - https://earntheright.substack.com/p/the-algorithmic-erosion-of-identity - we've all been there, it's insidious and ever-present. That's why it's important, I believe, to really be strong in our purpose and understand why we're doing what we're doing when it comes to content and digital comms. Interesting times!
I loved this article! I’ve been told for years that I’m “the best kept secret.”
Two degrees, 20 years of clinical work, 15 years of writing, and a book about to be published, yet I have not built a big following. I’ve worked with depth, integrity, and seriousness in the health space, even when that didn’t translate into becoming a well known 'personal brand'.
Meanwhile, it’s been hard not to notice how far some people get without the credibility, rigour, or original thinking to sustain it. But as you say, that gap eventually shows.
I suspect the tide is turning. People are tired of AI-generated sameness, short-form certainty, and unqualified noise. There’s a growing hunger for work with weight, real expertise, earned over time.
And this line says it perfectly: "focusing on usefulness to your ideal audience rather than impressiveness to everyone."
That feels like the quiet correction we’re moving toward and one I’m very ready for.
I love this comment Susan, thank you! You're exactly the type of person I write for - experienced and credible, with weight in your words and purpose in your heart.
I'm on the same page: I too feel the tide is turning (albeit ever-so-slowly) against the noisy 'personal brands' whose chief aim is to go viral and get seen everywhere, but who unfortunately don't have the bona fides or depth of thinking to back up their efforts. A "quiet correction" as you say (love that term!) - just like we're now seeing raw and unpolished video on social media overtake slick production in popularity.
Great advice Trevor. Platforms like LinkedIn have trained us to always think how we can ‘gamify’ our engagement. Not only does it mean we end up putting algorithm before audience, it’s also an inherently individualistic endeavour. And knowing this affects how we view content on those platforms (contrived; performative). Of course some people do it genuinely/effectively like you said! I struggle with it - ever since I learned about ‘amplification circles’ it’s all I can see… Anyway - was great to see some alternatives shared, particularly around contribution/collaboration through new ideas. It gives me hope! Thank you
Cheers Kathy! I call it the algorithmic erosion of identity - https://earntheright.substack.com/p/the-algorithmic-erosion-of-identity - we've all been there, it's insidious and ever-present. That's why it's important, I believe, to really be strong in our purpose and understand why we're doing what we're doing when it comes to content and digital comms. Interesting times!
Thanks :) 100% spot-on. But when both are done well equally, happy days!