What Every Creatorpreneur Needs to Know Before Launching

Easy, effective ways to set yourself apart online

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Welcome back to Content to Commas—your weekly playbook for building a personal brand that gets results.

Have you ever thought:

“I want to launch a business or something, but I’m not sure what it should be.”

That’s exactly where I was not long ago.

I knew I wanted to share more content strategies, growth playbooks, and actionable tips, but I wasn’t sure if it meant starting a podcast, a YouTube channel, or this newsletter (spoiler alert: welcome!).

If you’re in the planning stage—or even if you’ve launched something already—there’s one thing I know for sure: you want a built-in audience from day one.

Loyal followers can save you countless hours and energy down the road.

This week, I spoke with a friend and new founder about their launch strategy. Their plans were solid, but they forgot one key ingredient: themselves.

So this week, I’m sharing the same seven tips I gave them—actionable personal branding strategies that don’t just help you now but also lay the groundwork for future venture launches.

Let’s dive in. 👇🏾

🧠 7 Steps to Futureproof Your Personal Content Brand

Step 1: Build Your Day Ones

Before starting something new, build a personal connection by creating trust and sharing your expertise through experiences by focusing on expressing your beliefs rather than your dislikes.

Take my approach as an example: I’ve made it a mission to mentor others in ways I wished I’d been guided, and that “why” shapes everything I share. Your “why” can provide clarity and purpose to your personal brand.

  • Invite your audience into the journey by sharing personal stories.

  • Focus on what you stand for rather than what you’re against.

  • Revisit your “why” often to ensure alignment with your goals.

Step 2: Consistently

Your style might not be perfect at this point, but you can improve it over time. It's easier to guide something that's already in motion, so your main goal should be to stay consistent with what you're doing.

Whether it's a weekly update or a series like "Day 1 of starting my own business" or "POV: You’re launching an X business in 13 days” make sure you're creating a routine that you can keep up with without getting sidetracked from your main project.

  • Post 2–3 times a week to stay top-of-mind.

  • Stick to a clear, central theme so your audience knows what to expect.

  • Gradually refine your voice and style over time.

Step 3: Engage, Don’t Broadcast

Your content shouldn’t be a one-way megaphone. Engage in conversations, ask questions, and respond to comments. By showing your audience you’re listening, you turn followers into advocates.

Whenever I respond to comments or ask my audience questions, it sparks deeper connections. Inviting others into the discussion makes them feel involved, not just marketed to.

  • Respond thoughtfully to comments.

  • Ask questions to learn from your audience’s perspectives.

  • Encourage them to share their own experiences.

Step 4: Quality Takes Time

Quality doesn’t require a big budget—it’s about investing time where it counts. When I started, I relied on basic tools, putting my energy into the message and the story I wanted to tell. Regardless of your content style or niche, prioritizing storytelling and offering real value always takes precedence.

The easiest tools I recommend are your iPhone or a DJI Osmo and Mics, Notion, Capcut, or Temply. Full Content Creation set up here.

  • Prioritize easy-to-understand storytelling.

  • Ensure each piece of content reinforces your mission.

  • Before posting, ask yourself, “Does this strengthen my brand?”

Step 5: Think Beyond Transactions

I get it—when you start creating content, you’re eager to see results fast. You want the channel to perform so you can move on to the next thing. But here’s the truth: it takes time and patience to find what really works.

When I first started, I assumed Instagram would be my go-to platform. It turned out that LinkedIn was where my content resonated most. By trying different formats and approaches, I eventually found my groove.

Before giving up on a channel, consider whether the platform or your approach needs adjustment. Explore and experiment from a participant’s perspective rather than focusing solely on ROI immediately.

  • Test different content types to see what sticks.

  • Give each platform a chance before settling into a routine.

  • Use analytics to guide what to refine or double down on.

Step 6: Be Bold, Not Offensive

It’s okay to take a stand or challenge the status quo, but there’s a fine line between being provocative and being alienating. I’ve found that bold, well-thought-out perspectives keep people intrigued without pushing them away.

  • Challenge common assumptions with fresh insights.

  • Share a unique take on current trends.

  • Frame bold ideas in a constructive, respectful way.

Step 7: Think Long-Term

Building a personal brand isn’t about short-term wins; it’s about setting yourself up for future opportunities. When I launched my newsletter, reaching the first 1,000 subscribers felt quick—but only because I’d already been nurturing my audience and laying the groundwork.

Let’s be honest: you probably won’t stay in your current role forever, and if you’re an entrepreneur, this likely isn’t your only business venture. That’s why it’s so important to build a brand that can grow with you—a platform you can rely on no matter what you launch next.

  • Plan for long-term growth rather than short-term gains.

  • Consistently nurture your audience so future launches are easier.

  • Keep refining your message to stay relevant as you grow.

Which step feels the most crucial for building your personal brand?

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📚️ Free Resources to Scale

Playbooks for Creatorpreneurs who think like CEOs.

 

ICYMI—I recently dropped a few free resources to help you increase your content and income this year. Grab both below 👇

📓 The 2025 Goal Planner

“Planner” doesn’t do this justice. This five-star-rated guide is a powerful hub that helps you clarify what you want, who you want to become, and how you’ll get there.

📄 The Brand Deal Blueprint (No Luck Required)

A step-by-step guide to landing paid brand deals—even if you have a small audience and zero connections.

🪝 LinkedIn Hooks Playbook

Struggling to stop the scroll? Here are 250 proven LinkedIn hook templates—organized by content type—to help you boost engagement, grow your audience, and turn attention into opportunity.

Brandon Smithwrick

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