They say marketing is just psychology with prettier fonts. But let’s take the pixels and performance out of it for a second—let’s talk about the real stuff. Connection.
Not the kind LinkedIn endorses you for. I mean the real, wild, soul-baring kind. The kind that sneaks in when you’re both laughing over bad coffee. When a comment on a post turns into a midnight chat about purpose. When a cold email starts with “Hey, I love your vibe.”
Because here’s the thing—I don’t think we’re chasing followers or funnels. I think we’re all just craving resonance.
And in the age of algorithms, resonance is rebellion.
We’re told to batch, automate, A/B test, optimize. And don’t get me wrong—I love a sexy dashboard and a well-performing carousel post. But let’s not forget: people don’t double-tap metrics. They double-tap meaning.
So here’s some unsolicited but heartfelt advice for anyone trying to grow online without losing their self:
- Write captions like you’re texting your favourite person. No more “Here’s why you need XYZ…” Try “This may or may not be a love letter disguised as a post.” Watch engagement rise like bread in a warm kitchen.
- Your face > stock photos. People don’t connect with pixels. They connect with pores, hoodies, chipped mugs, and that one blurry selfie you almost didn’t post. Show up messy. That’s where magic lives.
- Be a character, not a brochure. Let your quirks breathe. Talk about the time you cried over your analytics report. The time you danced after your first client payment. Marketing is more memorable when it’s human.
- Stories sell, data supports. Don’t lead with features. Lead with feels. Tell me how your service changed someone’s week. How your reel helped a stranger feel less alone.
In a world where everyone is on brand, I want to be off-script. I want to write like I’m texting my best friend, design like I’m gifting something handmade, and build a business that feels like a sleepover—cozy, chaotic, full of snacks and secrets.
Connection isn’t about going viral. It’s about being understood. And if you’re lucky, being remembered.
So whether you’re a fellow freelancer, a side-hustler, or someone who just stumbled here through a very elaborate rabbit hole—hi. You’re safe here. You’re seen.
The art of connection isn’t a tactic.
It’s a soft skill.
And soft skills?
They build empires. Gently.