I have challenged my creative juices in a 100-day art challenge—thanks to my dear Instagram friend Renata, to whom I am forever grateful!

If you follow artists on Instagram, these challenges occasionally pop up on your feed. These are inspiring, but if you are anything like me, participating in one never crossed my mind. So, when I was asked to join one, I inhaled deeply from the nostrils to my belly: this had nothing to do with me. I am no artist.

Truth be told, art has been one of my creative outlets since I can remember. But lately, I’ve been more of a hoarder of art tools and courses. There have been a few wishy-washy projects once in a blue moon.

And, of course, the morning meditative painting. This is a sweet deal for someone who runs from traditional meditation like a poltergeist. Yet, lately, there’s been an arms race between that and this when it comes to meditation.

To my surprise, and without the pressure of posting behind-the-scenes on Instagram, I drew, painted, printed, learned, or mixed it all for 100 days straight!

It was liberating to be in that creative flow, bringing sense to my emotions! I was creating art that resonated with my soul, in whatever form, regardless of whether it fit my brand or others would love it. I was happier-ish, giggling like a hot little jelly fairy. And, I never stopped after that.

And while I could stay in this dreamy art bubble forever, the insights I had during the challenge shifted how I see branding. Specifically, how we box ourselves into doing it for others, based on how others say it should be, before doing it for ourselves.

As you well know, we are in the era of influencers, creators, and personal branding. But you know what’s terrible about it? It is the idea of always being in creation mode and doing so only with a specific audience in mind.

I will not tell you this is the worst advice on the internet, but it is more complex than that. It means that as a solopreneur, you must be a Chief Everything Officer, always wearing way too many hats at once. You need to get into your audience’s minds, guessing what they think, want, and fear.

Then, you must follow them like a creepy stalker, which is exhausting, to say the least. Your creativity becomes a performance. And your voice? A ghost of what it once was.

But you are here to do business differently, the human-to-human kind, aspiring to freedom on your own terms. You aim to keep things simple; you come as you are, with your talents, to serve others.

Plus, you are not ”big corporate” with money and time to spend on everything under the sun and more. And there are so many hats you can wear when working alone. So, the same “big company rules” don’t apply to you. We’ve been wrong!

That’s why I want to offer you a radical reframe: what if your best brand isn’t made for an audience but born without one?

I came across the idea of “an audience of none” in a piece by Joe Wehbe, and only recently started resonating on a personal branding level.

Here’s why…

Everyone has a creative side, but we rarely accept, nurture, and express it.

You know that creative self-expression is a statement of our uniqueness and truth. But it is vulnerable AF, and sharing it just like that is dangerous. Fear of criticism and shame become entangled with creativity. Then, your art does not even take every baby bird’s tiny, imperfect first step to fly.

Also, when we create with only others in mind, we adapt our creativity to what makes them feel like butterflies in a wildflower field. Being loved is a natural human currency, so we often forget what we want and our true gifts. Then, we bend more in the name of money and productivity until our voice becomes a watered-down version of what it once was.

An audience of none solves many things in your creative personal branding.

When we create for an audience of none, we step into our power and put our authenticity forward.

It’s just you and your creative self-expression, a Star Wars-worthy act of bravery! Facing a room without an audience helps you overcome your fears of rejection and inadequacy, as we alone are our harshest gremlins.

You reconnect with your unfiltered voice and unique style when you create for no audience. They have always been there, waiting to be remembered. And it turns out that voice is everything for your personal brand! Your voice is how your personality gets translated into the outer world. It’s the bridge between your inner magic and how your brand is experienced by others.

Your voice magnifies your unique elements, style, experiences, and perspectives. No one else has these in your context, order, and time.

Your voice becomes one of your greatest competitive assets—the most creative way to “sell” your unique value.

Your clients will hire you or buy from you because the way you express yourself mirrors something true in them. It will be difficult for clients to feel attracted to or connected to you if you hide and do not communicate with your unique, remarkable voice.

So, an audience of none is the only one to honor each time you create, regardless of whether your outer audience grows by one, a thousand, or worldwide. This is when you shine through, free from external pressure.

When you share it this way, you never compromise your authenticity, and your audience is there because they love what you do, simply and beautifully. Trust that what you create will resonate with someone. I know it will.

To enter this place of pure self-expression, think about what you would do if you didn’t have to please anyone.

To return to that place of unfiltered creativity, which is the birthplace of your best brand, ask yourself:

What would I do if I didn’t have to please anyone?
What colors would I use on a canvas?
Would I sing with the birds?
Would I dance with the wind?

Much love,
XO.