Read time: 8 minutes

How to Build Your True Online Tribe

My 5-step system to attract an audience of ideal customers (who are just like YOU).

"What if nobody cares?"

We've all thought about it.

We've all tried to guess what content our audience wants.

The truth? You’re not creating for a vague audience of thousands.

Reader, you’re creating for one person.

>> YOU <<

By doing it this way, you'll:

• Make the content YOU love
• Build an audience of ravings fans
• Remove imposter syndrome for good

Sound selfish?

It’s not, let's dive in:

The Stress of Uncertainty

If you’re like most creators, you’ve been stuck in the cycle of doubt.

• Am I saying something valuable or just noise?
• What's resonating with my audience lately?
• Why does this feel so forced?

You try to be everywhere.

Please everyone.

And in the process, you lose sight of the one person who you're doing this for.

Yourself.

Not only are you struggling to figure out what works, but grinding to try and not break your "post daily" ritual.

It sucks.

You start to feel like you're on the content hamster wheel (I always talk about this).

You’re showing up but feel like you're losing your authentic voice in the process.

If you're nodding along, I feel you.

Been there.

Most creators look at what the top creators are doing, then imitate them.

But this is a recipe for disaster.

Big creators play by different rules, they have hundreds of thousands of followers.

What works for them won't work for others.

They are playing a 'volume' game.

Sure, take inspiration from big creators (we all do this).

See a format you like? Steal it and plug your own ideas in.

But that's the key.

Plug YOUR ideas in.

Your views. Your values. Your interests. Your approach.

Because the more you try to mould yourself to fit the algorithm, the more disconnected you become from yourself.

Your audience will feel it too.

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The Harsh Reality

Creators trying to please everyone end up pleasing no one, including themselves.

Guessing what your audience wants is a problem.

You end up churning out content like a robot on a factory assembly line.

Followed by low engagement and a big ol' bag of burnout.

I'm not saying this to rant, I want you to understand that I have been through all of this and more.

My own worst enemy at times.

When I tried to reach everybody, I reached nobody.

I had to get more specific.

And what's more specific than myself?

The person who I know everything about...

I know my weaknesses, strengths, secrets, and, desires.

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How to Attract Your Tribe

If you make content for yourself, you’ll attract people who need the exact solutions you've already found.

What if, instead of guessing, you created content with your past self in mind?

Imagine every piece of content you make is actually a message to the person you were 1,2,3,4,5 years ago.

• What did you need to hear back then?
• What kind of mentor did you need back then?
• What advice would have changed your life at that point?
• What lessons could have saved you time, money, or sanity?

No more guessing, trying to please an invisible crowd.

Just authentic content that comes from the heart.

By creating content for your past self, you'll:

• Already know it’s valuable because it's worked for you
• Love the process because you’re not trying to fit into anyone else’s box
• Naturally attract an audience of people just like you, who resonate deeply with you

>> YOUR TRIBE WILL FIND YOU <<

But before you can do this, you need to structure your content.

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You Can Steal My C.A.G Framework

This framework puts your content strategy in Sport Mode.

In a nutshell:

1) Connection Content

Sharing personal lessons, failures, and vulnerabilities to CONNECT with your audience.

2) Authority Content

Showing you're a capable, figure of AUTHORITY who can solve their problems.

3) Growth Content

Borrowing authority from big names, brands, and trends to accelerate your brand GROWTH.

Today, we'll be focusing on C and A.

Why?

Connection and Authority content are essential for becoming Authentic because they focus on YOU, the creator.

I'll show you how to borrow authority with Growth content in a future newsletter.

But if you can't wait until then, you can check out some of my Growth content:

​Deep dive 1: ​

​Deep dive 2:​

​Deep dive 3: ​

​Deep dive 4: ​

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I've rambled on for long enough...

The Authentic Creator Operating System

6 simple steps to transform from "preacher" to authentic authority figure.

1) Authentic Brand Mapping

Your target audience is an extension of your past and present self.

This means we need to reverse-engineer your vision, goals, and interests.

Think about it...

The only reason you follow or subscribe to someone is because something unique about them resonates with you more than the other creators in their niche.

Maybe you both like fitness.

Maybe they make you laugh.

Either way, something about them is pulling you in.

And because you like them, you digest their content better.

Think of them as your ideal mentor.

It's a win-win.

Now we're going to create that same effect for YOUR followers.

It's time to build a database for all your future content ideas.

It sounds complicated, but don't worry, it isn't.

I'll guide you through it.

Action Steps:

1) Open Notion or Google Docs

Then, write the following 5 headings:

Vision (this is your brand's long-term impact on your industry, audience, or the world)

Goals (these are measurable milestones that guide you toward your vision)

Beliefs (the core principles that define how you approach your work and your audience)

Life's work (this is your unique mission - what you want to be known for or remembered by)

Interests (the hobbies, topics, and passions that add depth to your brand and humanize you)

2) Populate each heading

List every idea that comes to mind.

Take your time with this.

Vision: Think big-picture. What do you want to achieve or change? This should be a bold, inspiring statement.

Goals: List your top priorities for the short and long term. Think of short-term goals as steps to build momentum and long-term goals as the big outcome you're working towards.

Beliefs: Identify values that resonate with you and your audience, for example, "authenticity over perfection" or "learning by doing."

Life's work: This is the long-term impact/unique contribution you want to make. Think of it as the purpose that drives your daily actions.

Interests: List interests and personal pursuits that help to make your brand relatable and unique.

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2) Your Life Philosophy

The way you live your life is unique. From your worldview, how should life be lived?

Example: You want to travel, work remotely and only work 4 hours per day.

"I believe life is about having the freedom to work where you want, when you want..."

See what I mean?

1) Identify core values

List and prioritize the 5–7 values most important to you.

2) Define fulfilment

Describe what “living a good life” means to you, focusing on purpose and fulfilment.

3) Set guiding principles

Outline simple daily principles or habits that help you live by your values.

4) List key life lessons

Summarize the lessons from major life experiences that have shaped your beliefs.

5) What does your ideal life look like?

Picture a perfect day or long-term vision aligned with your values.

6) Write a Life Philosophy Statement

Combine your values, purpose, and principles into a single power statement.

Think of it as a Unique Selling Proposition but for your life's task.

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2a) Your Business Philosophy

The way you work is unique. In your opinion how should your profession be approached?

Example: You run a Video Editing Agency.

How should people approach Video Editing if they want to reach the elite level?

1) Define work values

Identify 3–5 core values that guide your work.

2) Clarify your purpose

State why you’re passionate about your field.

3) What makes your approach unique?

Describe what sets your approach apart from your competition.

4) List key principles

Break down your approach into guiding steps or rules.

5) Highlight success stories

Choose examples that showcase your impact.

6) Write a Business Philosophy Statement

Summarize your values, purpose, and unique approach into a single statement.

Again, think of it as a Unique Selling Proposition, but this time, for your entire approach to your work.

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3) Your Solutions List

You have a winning product in your head, surrounded by 100 viral content ideas.

In your career, you've solved tons of problems (for yourself).

Think about it...

"I didn't know how to do X, now I can do X."

You didn't have the skill, you learned the skill, and now you have the skill.

That is problem-solving 101, my friend.

To hit this home, I'll give you 3 examples of me doing this:

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Example #1

Once upon a time, I was writing stories on social media, but I was struggling to find ways to connect my offer to them.

"Okay, so I've written a story about my first martial arts competition, but how can I make this relevant to business?"

Because of this problem, I create the StorySync System.

This system allows me to connect any story to any offer, easily.

I thought: "Hmmm. I wonder if other people would find this helpful?"

Voila!

• I had a problem
• Built a system (for myself) to solve it
• Packaged it up
• Shared it with the world

167 downloads so far.

​Click here for a free copy of my StorySync System​

The StorySync System can help you brainstorm and generate story ideas from your past and present if you're feeling stuck.

You already have stories in your head, you've just forgotten them.

This system will help you bring them back to life and add them to your Solutions List.

Already have it? Ignore this and keep reading.

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Example #2

The world's a big place.

Everyone wants to "make money online."

So, being a Ghostwriter/Copywriter, my competition is fierce.

This led me down the rabbit hole of:

"How can I differentiate myself from everyone else?"

Because of this problem, I build the Brand Differentiator OS.

This system leverages AI to help me find unique, mind-bending ways to present my brand and offers completely different to everyone else.

I thought: "Hmmm. I wonder if other people would want this?"

Boom.

Can you see the pattern?

​Click here for free access to my Brand Differentiator System​

Already have it? Keep reading.

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Example #3

For months, I was struggling to wrap my head around this question:

"What makes a person truly KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST a creator or brand?"

I felt I hadn't fully cracked it yet.

So, I got to work.

I studied the greatest marketers and writers of the last 100 years.

I pieced the puzzle together.

I created a playbook called the "Trifecta."

It's a formula/checklist that guarantees you'll get your leads to know, like, and trust you (if you follow it).

This one was a hit.

The Trifecta ↴

Your Solution Process in a Nutshell:

• You hit an obstacle
• Find a way to overcome it (system, AI prompt, playbook, etc.)
• Share the system with others (social media content or a lead magnet) so they can also solve their problem

Action Steps:

1) Open a new document on Google Docs or Notion

2) Populate this list with every problem you've solved for yourself, clients, friends, or followers

Not sure where to start?

Browse through your best content, lead magnets, notes, and conversations with clients.

Even browsing your YouTube search history may spark your memory.

This brings us nicely to step 4...

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4) Organize and Create

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” - James Clear.

Let's quickly recap.

By now, you should have completed:

• Your Authentic Brand Map
• Your Life Philosophy
• Your Business Philosophy
• Your Solutions List

In other words, you have TONS of content ideas ready to go.

Action Steps:

1) Make 3 separate folders:

[Folder 1] Connection Ideas

[Folder 2] Authority Ideas

[Folder 3] Growth Ideas

(We're not putting anything in the Growth folder today)

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2) Make 2 more folders inside each of the 3 folders:

[Folder 1] Unvalidated Ideas

[Folder 2] Validated Ideas

Unvalidated = have not been tested on social media

Validated = have performed well on social media

You now have 6 folders in total.

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3) Fill your folders with the ideas we've generated

Organize them like this:

Connection Ideas​
↳ Unvalidated Ideas​
↳ Life Philosophy & Authentic Brand Map ideas

Authority Ideas​
↳ Unvalidated Ideas​
↳ Business Philosophy & Your Solutions List

(Don't put anything in the "Validated" folders yet)

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4) Time to create

You have a ton of unvalidated ideas and I want you to go wild.

Start working your way through these lists.

Aim for:

• 1-2 short-form Connection daily
• 1-2 short-form Authority daily

Anytime you get a Connection post that performs well, move it to the Connection ⤏ Validated Ideas folder.

Anytime you get an Authority post that performs well, move it to the Authority ⤏ Validated Ideas folder.

​

5) Deploy storytelling

Personal stories are 1000x more engaging than tips and listicles.

Share your RAW lessons.​

You can plug your new content ideas into one of 7 storytelling formulas and turn them into high-quality long-form.

​Click here for a free copy of my 7 favourite storytelling formulas​

Then, once you have your specific story ideas:​

So you can turn your ideas into stories that FLOW.

(If you already have a copy of this, again, please ignore me)

6) Authentic > Polished

When you create raw, unfiltered content it feels genuine.

Strip down your content to its core message.

Avoid trying to be perfect or hyper-polished.

Leave out the flashy edits and formal language.

Talk about your past failures, a lot.

If people look up to you like a god, you'll feel too far away from them

They won't be able to possibly imagine how THEY can follow in YOUR footsteps.

This means they won't believe YOUR product will work for THEM.

Show authority but don't be too far away that they can't reach you.

I have a full deep dive covering this.

​Read it here​

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As your validated ideas start to build up, you can start turning these ideas into long-form threads, newsletters, or LinkedIn posts.

Why do I do it this way?

Because I've wasted dozens of hours writing long-form content, only for it to flop miserably.

Why did they flop? Because I didn't test the idea first with short-form content.

I know that was A LOT of information.

I hope your head hasn't exploded yet.

Keep going, we're nearly done.

5) Packaging

Shift your mind from "how to" ➝ "how I."

This is the icing on the cake.

Let's recap, you've created your:

• Authentic Brand Map
• Life Philosophy
• Business Philosophy
• Solutions List
• Ideation Folders
• Short-form social media content

Now, you're here.

It's time to start using authentic hook setups.

You adopt the mindset of "how I" instead of "how to."

You'll position yourself as an authentic guide, not another guru preaching at them.

26 ideas to get you started:

• "If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be..."
• "The turning point for me was when I..."
• "I never expected to, but this is how I..."
• "Here’s a peek into how I handle..."
• "I didn’t figure this out overnight, but eventually I..."
• "Something I had to unlearn was..."
• "I’m not perfect, but what works for me is..."
• "Here’s what I’ve been focusing on lately and why..."
• "This is what I used to think until I..."
• "When I finally let go of..., everything shifted."
• "What keeps me grounded is..."
• "It took me a while to understand, but now I..."
• "If you’re anything like me, you might..."
• "In my experience, the best way to..."
• "What I've found to work for me is..."
• "This is how I’ve personally navigated..."
• "I used to struggle with this until I..."
• "A moment that really shifted my perspective was when I..."
• "Here’s the process I follow when..."
• "Let me share what happened when I tried..."
• "This is why I always focus on..."
• "One thing that really changed the game for me was..."
• "When I first started, I..."
• "Here’s how I discovered a better way to..."
• "I learned the hard way that..."
• "For me, it’s always been about..."

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6) Productize Yourself

It's time to turn your best content into cash (AKA Stripe payments).

You know exactly what your audience wants by now, it's obvious.

They're showing you with their likes, comments, shares, reposts, and DMs.

Turning this content into a paid product is your next step.

This can be an ebook, video course, community, you name it.

Let's run through the process:

1) You solve a problem for yourself (system, playbook, prompt, etc.)

2) You make content to share it with others

3) Some content topics are a success (more than others)

4) You turn the winning content topics into paid products

​

I did this recently, so I'll use myself as a case study:

1) I've built a range of systems, prompts, playbooks, and templates to make my life easier (and solve my problems) as a Copywriter/Ghostwriter.

2) I share many of these solutions on Threads, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

3) Many of these solutions performed well on social media.

4) I combined the most popular solutions and turned them into a digital product, The Copywriter's Handbook.​

The response has been awesome.

Anyway...

Time to wrap up

That's all for today.

Use my Authenticity Operating System and I guarantee:

• You'll fall in love with the process (like you did once upon a time)
• You'll attract your True Tribe

You’re creating for YOU, that’s your superpower.

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P.S. - If you enjoyed today's system, you'll love my latest project:
The Copywriter's Handbook

It's got everything you need to Attract Dream Clients, Charge What You're Worth, and Scale Your Brand.

​#1 - Click here to check it out.​

​#2 - Click here for a preview of what's inside.​

​#3 - Click here to hear what people are saying​

P.S.S. - Which topics do you want more of? I read every email I get

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