The Creative Bodega | Content Marketing and Instagram Growth for Solopreneurs

38: 4 Steps to Uncovering What Makes Your Personal Brand Unforgettable

• Emily Connors • Episode 38

If you've ever wondered why someone should hire YOU instead of the 47 other people who do what you do, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Creative Bodega, I'm breaking down the exact 4-step framework I use to help solopreneurs uncover their unique selling proposition (or as I like to call it - what makes you unforgettable). You'll learn how to stop blending in, own your transformation story, and confidently answer "why should someone choose me?" Plus, I'm sharing my own USP breakdown so you can see exactly how this works in action.

Check out the full show notes for this episode HERE.

Things I cover inside this episode:

  • The 4-step framework to uncover your unique selling proposition (and why most people skip the most important parts)
  • How to define your personal transformation - the "I've been there" moment that creates instant connection with your audience
  • Why your credibility and results matter more than you think (even if you're just starting out)
  • How to identify your unique approach and superpower - the energy and teaching style that makes you different
  • The exact ChatGPT prompt I use to help clients dig deeper into their USP
  • Why your messaging foundation affects everything (especially selling) and how to stop dragging your heels on this work

Resources & Links mentioned in the episode:

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I don't like working on the foundation of my business. I don't like talking about my USP. I don't like doing a deep dive into my ideal client avatar. I don't like looking at my content pillars, that foundational stuff that is so insanely important and, and what we're working on in the messaging edit. I drag my heels like it's no one's business, but I also know that if it's not rock solid for you, that messaging foundation, everything else. Is gonna be really hard, especially selling. Welcome to the Creative Bodega, a podcast about content marketing, Instagram growth, and personal branding for female service-based solopreneurs who wanna grow their business without letting it take over their lives. I'm your host, EM Connors, and each week I'll share actionable tips, expert advice, and unfiltered truths to help you create engaging content. Connect authentically with your audience and turn followers into loyal customers all without the burnout. If you're ready to simplify your content creation, navigate the ever changing trends and build a business that works for you while staying sane in this crazy season of life, then you're in the right place. Welcome back my friend to the Creative Bodega Podcast where we keep content marketing simple. And sustainable for female solopreneurs trying to grow their businesses without feeling overwhelmed and like they wanna throw in the towel. Okay, that's, that's what we're here for. Basically, it's what I'm here for today. I wanna talk about something that I think. A lot of you are dancing around online, and this has come to light during the messaging edit my five week fall program. That is two weeks in as I record this, but as you're listening to this, it's actually wrapping up and that is your unique selling proposition. It's also known as your USP for short. I first learned about this term like three years ago. I'm not gonna lie, it's total insider languagey to me. Like I would if I were gonna talk about this on Instagram, which I will, when I promote this episode, I will not say a headline like, how to Nail Down Your Unique Selling Proposition, because people be like, what in the world are you talking about? So I wanna be super clear before you're like rolling your eyes and turning off this podcast. Uh, don't worry. What we're talking about today is what makes you different. Why people should give a, you know what? Basically, because here's the thing, you're not just selling a service through your marketing. You're selling trust, you're selling connection, you're selling an experience. You are selling your whole vibe. If you are a service-based solopreneur, which is who I cater to, it's what I am, it's the language I speak. And if you don't know what you bring to the table, that's different from everyone else who does what you do. It's way too easy to blend in. It's way too easy to overthink your content or worse just to start sounding like every other person who offers the same service that you do. So again, why are we talking about this now? Because I'm two weeks into the messaging at. And I'm seeing a lot of the 20 women who signed up into this program with me struggle with their USP or their unique selling proposition, or just talking about themselves in general. But I'm asking them, and now I'm asking you,'cause I think this is really important to dig deep. I want you to give yourself credit where credit is due. I want you to talk about yourself in a positive light, even though that feels a little cringey.'cause I get it. I feel the same way. I want you to repeat back what others, who you know, or others you've worked with, say about you. Okay? Ask yourself, what do people always thank me for? What compliments do I hear again and again? What do people say is my, you know, competitive advantage or secret sauce to making me stand out from others? So by the end of this episode, I'm gonna make sure that you can confidently answer why should someone hire you instead of another person who does what you do on Instagram? Okay? Because if you've ever felt like the market is too crowded, which my Lord, how many people have come to me and said. You know, everything's been said, you know, and, and there's just so many people who do what I do, like, how do I stand out? Well, this is how you're gonna stand out through your unique selling proposition, and this episode is going to shift your whole perspective on what makes you. Honestly, unforgettable. So let me just tell you, I know the pressure of figuring this stuff out. This is the stuff that I actually hate, like I don't like working on the foundation of my business. As funny as that sounds, I don't like talking about my USP. I don't like doing a deep dive into my ideal client avatar. I don't like looking at my content pillars, that foundational stuff that is so insanely important and, and what we're working on in the messaging edit. I drag my heels like it's no one's business. But I also know that if it's not rock solid for you, that messaging foundation. Everything else is gonna be really hard, especially selling. So I remember when I was first starting out, I, I would literally google how to stand out online, like spiraling into a rabbit hole of like branding exercises and mood boards, and like so many vague phrases. Helping empower women to live their best lives. Like, okay, what does that even mean? Who, who are you helping? What is, what is your definition of your best life?'cause that's gonna be different for each person. And listen, if you're about me section sounds like it could be copy and pasted like 40 other times by 40 other experts who do what you do. And like no shade. If that's you, that's a sign that you're not going deep enough. Okay, so today I'm gonna walk you through what your USP really is. So again, USP, your unique. Selling proposition. Okay? It's a four part framework that I teach inside the messaging edit that I'm gonna teach you today to help you uncover yours. And yes, I'm gonna share my own so you can really see it in action, and hopefully it'll click and make more sense. So step number. Define your personal transformation. This is your, I've been there moment. This is where I want you to ask yourself, what version of me is my audience currently living through? So for me, I was the overwhelmed solopreneur, second guessing every single post. Spending way too much time in Canva, laying in bed at night, pissed at Instagram.'cause I forgot to make a post.'cause I had a three month old and a 17 month old and I was like hanging on by a thread, wondering if I was even like cut out. For marketing our then CrossFit gym business on Instagram. I didn't start out as a content coach, you guys, I was a CrossFit gym owner and a, a new mom, to be honest, to two very small kids. And I knew nutrition and I knew momming. That was really it. I didn't know Canva. I didn't know fonts. I didn't know how to show up. I didn't know how to be consistent, and my posts didn't do well at first. And every time I put a post out, my confidence would then tank. Because every time I opened Instagram, my posts weren't getting the traction that I wanted, but I learned through very messy action how to create content that actually connected with my audience. And when I figured that out, everything changed. So this first USP pillar is your lived experience. It's that empathy piece. It's that I see you, I've been where you are. It's the part where your audience feels seen, and you can't skip over this as a service-based solopreneur. If you've ever said, I know what it's like to. Like, that's gold. Don't skip that part. And that personal transformation is something that should be brought up pretty consistently in your content here or there and in your marketing. Okay? So number two, share your credibility and the results you've gotten for people. So now that they know that you've been where they are, we also want you to show them where you are now and why they can trust you to help them. Okay, so for me, my credibility and results, I've taught over 6,000 students. Through courses and coaching, I have now built a seven figure business. I can now say that I hit seven figures a month ago. I can now say I've hit a seven figure business in under four years. I am one of only 43 Canva verified experts in the entire world. That's insane. That's so incredible and I need to pat myself on the back for that. I have helped hundreds, if not thousands of solopreneurs go from confused to confident online, and that is a feat in and of itself. And this is not me bragging. It's about backing up your brand with proof. You don't need these wild numbers. These are new for me. Like if you went back and you looked at my initial unique selling proposition, my credibility and my results were not these. I had to start somewhere though, so I had to dig deep and figure out what I could toot my own horn about. It had to be something tangible. There had to be wins. There had to be transformations and even one client testimonial counts. And if you don't have clients yet, this is where you lean even more into your transformation. Okay? So ask yourself, what proof do I have that I'm good at what I do? And even if it's just your own results, again, that's valid. Okay. Step number three, define your unique approach or superpower. So this is honestly my favorite part because this is where your energy, your personality, your teaching style, all shine through because no one is going to have the same as you, I dunno about you. But there are people that I see on Instagram when their reels show up on my feed. Their energy is so like electric and chaotic, and they talk so fast, my heart starts racing. I don't wanna personally learn from someone like that. I like an energy that is more grounded, more calm, more confident. I don't know, I can't explain it, but that type of energy is something people pick up on, and yours is gonna be different from everyone who does what you do. Right. So here's what I say in my messaging. I make branding and content creation simple, fun and effective. No trendy hacks, no fake urgency, just clear empowering strategies that help you show up consistently without spending hours on your phone or trying to be something that you're not. Okay. And I do that all with high energy coaching, honest feedback, and a little dry humor. Basically, I'm like your marketing BF who actually wants you to take off on the weekends? Like, I don't want you doing this. So. This is where you answer the question, what's it like to work with you versus somebody else? And so many of my clients get stuck here because they think that everyone's doing the same thing, but no one's doing it your way. And that is literally your edge, your unique approach, your superpower. So think about your energy. What do you think it feels like for people? Or what have people told you it feels like? Think about your personality. How are you different from people in your space that you're watching? Okay. And then think about your teaching style.'cause that is going to be incredibly unique as well compared to others. They may teach the same thing, but they're not gonna teach it the way you do. And then number four is add your call out. Transformation. So this is the part that ties everything together. It's your I help statement, but with like actual clarity. So here's mine. I help solopreneurs build unforgettable brands and create scroll stopping content that actually connects. So when it's time to sell, your audience is already sold on you. And that's what I mean by transformation. If you are ready to stop blending in and start showing up like the expert that you are, and finally build a brand that really feels true to you and irresistible to your ideal client. I'm your girl, right? And when you bring all these four pieces together, it is so powerful. You're not just describing what you do. You're giving people something they can actually feel. Right. So just to review this again, is your USP, your unique selling proposition. Number one, you're defining your personal transformation. This is your, I've been there moment. Step number two, share your credibility and your results. Jot that stuff down. I know you've got them. You don't need wild numbers, but you do need something tangible. Number three, define your unique approach or superpower. My favorite part, your energy, your personality, your teaching style. We want all of that to shine through. And number four, your call out and transformation. So this is your I help statement. Chacha BT prompts. I got one for you. If you need help uncovering your USP, grab a notebook. Screenshot. Well, well you can screenshot it. I'll put it in the show notes. Help me. Uncover my unique selling proposition by asking me questions about my background, my strengths, and my client results. And again, this is something I teach inside the messaging edit, and you get a ton of handholding and feedback, but it's something I wanted to share with you as well here. So I wanted to guide you. I want that chat, GBT. This is a back and forth conversation you're having with her. Treat it like a journaling. Prompt a journaling tool really, and you'll be surprised what clicks when someone or something starts asking the right questions about how it can really get you there. So your USP isn't something you force out in 30 minutes in a Google Doc. Okay. It is. It's an evolving, living, breathing thing, just like your brand messaging in general. When I started. My messaging was all over the place. I thought I had to be the best. I knew other people knew more than I did. I knew there were people that I liked how they were showing up more than I was showing up, and I just had to keep putting in those messy reps and figure out who I wanted to be as a person on Instagram, right? As a business owner, I had to get specific. I had to start getting comfortable with naming the results that I could get for people, and I had to stop hiding behind. What I do and really start owning how I did it, and that's what I want you to do. I want you to really. Step into and own how you show up. Pat yourself on the back for a minute. Have you ever heard the quote? If you could believe in Santa Claus for, you know, seven to 10 years of your life, you can believe in yourself for five minutes. Like believe in yourself. You do have what it takes. Find. A way to dig deep and talk about yourself in a positive light. You, you really should be able to do that. And you're, you're still unsure what your edge is. You're not behind, you're just in the messy middle, and that's honestly. Where all the clarity lives, it's, it's gonna shine through. So again, here's what I want you to do. After turning off this episode, jot down your personal, I've been their story. Write out three proof points that back up your brand and your results. Describe what it feels like to work with you. You're super power. You're super, what is it? Special sauce, not super sauce. And then write one clear transformation start statement. Starting with I help DM me on Instagram, your rough draft. I'd love to give you feedback. I wanna help you make this clear, tighter, a hundred percent you. And you know, if you are a member inside the coven. I am all yours. I want you to bring this to the table, bring it inside the community. We will workshop this with you because you are the reason that your business works and the world doesn't need another generic person out there. It means you and your brand, and your vibe, and your energy. Okay my friend. That's it for today. Thanks for hanging out with me inside the Creative Bodega Podcast. Until next time, I will talk to you soon. Thanks so much for hanging out with me on the Creative Bodega Podcast. If you love this episode, please be sure to share it with a fellow solopreneur who could use a little content creation inspiration. And hey, don't forget to check out the show notes for any resources I mentioned on the episode. To help you create content that feels easy and actually gets you results. If you want even more Canva and content tips, head over to my website, the creative bodega.com, or find me on Instagram under the same name. Until next time, keep creating, keep showing up, and most importantly, try and have a little fun with your content. I'll see you on the next episode.