7: Embrace Your Quirks: How Being Different Connects You to the Right Audience

The following is a narrative essay I wrote after my conversation with Bridget Baker.

Fitting in was my survival strategy—until I realized it was suffocating my creative potential.

In high school, I could morph myself into any group. In college, I went to parties even though I hated big groups of people. As an adult, I put on a "professional" face even when all I want to do is have fun.

I thought, If I can just be smooth enough, normal enough, I'll finally belong.

Spoiler: It never worked.

The Moment of Insight

During a conversation with my friend Bridget Baker—a former professional dancer turned branding expert—she said something that hit me hard: What if the parts of your story you're afraid to share are actually your greatest creative asset?

I've often thought about how to share my moments of failure without people thinking "He has no idea what he's talking about. Why should I listen to him?" But what I realized when talking to Bridget was, we are not our failures.

Failures are just a part of our journey. They can make us stronger if we lean into the lessons they are trying to teach us.

The Unexpected Power of Your "Too Much"

Let's talk about those moments you've labeled as "too much."

For me, it was improv. I love improv. It taught me so much about creativity, problem-solving, and staying present. But for the longest time, I kept that part of me under wraps. I worried people wouldn't take me seriously. I thought they'd hear "improviser" and assume, Oh, he's just a guy who makes jokes.

Then I said, "Eff it. Who cares if people think it's weird?"

When I started sharing lessons I learned from improv, something magical happened. My audience loved it. People who had never done improv said things like, "Wow, I could never do that!" It struck a chord because it wasn't just about improv—it was about creative courage.

The Vulnerability Advantage

A few years ago, I was working on multiple projects to help artists market their work. I poured my heart into it—hundreds of blog posts, nearly 100 podcast episodes, hours of connecting with my audience.

When I finally offered my services, I was met with crickets. Not a single reply or hint of interest.

It was devastating. I had done everything the "experts" said: build trust, provide value, connect authentically. But nothing worked.

So, I took a break. I let go of the dream for years, feeling like I had failed.

Fast forward to now: I've returned to this work with fresh energy and a deeper understanding of what creatives like you need. And you know what? That failure wasn't the end of my story. It was the middle.

Sharing this with you isn't easy. But I've learned that the more open and honest we are, the more deeply we connect with our audience. People lean in when they see themselves in your story.

Turning Your Quirks into Your Brand's Superpower

Here's your challenge:

• List three ways you're different (not "wrong").
• Identify one story you've been afraid to tell.
• Create one offer that reflects your entire, messy journey.

The Wild Truth About Authenticity

I used to think being a fan of anime, superheroes, or cartoons made me weird. When I was younger, everyone watched cartoons. But as we got older, I'd hear things like, "Eww, you still watch that?"

So I hid those parts of me. I didn't tell people I watched Dragon Ball Z every afternoon. I kept quiet about the mini blogs I built for South Park and Rurouni Kenshin.

It wasn't until years later that I realized how mainstream those interests had become. There were conventions, toy shops, and even streaming platforms dedicated to anime.

The lesson? It doesn't matter if...