Some of y’all keep blaming the algorithm when the real problem is way closer to home.
You’re a Black business owner. You’re posting consistently. You’re watching your people’s posts pop off while yours feel like they’re hitting a wall. And the question starts creeping in: Do I need to be more controversial? Is my message weak? If you’ve had that moment, this episode is for you.
Real Moment: The world feels heavy right now. People are pissed. People are exhausted. And it’s giving 2020 again. What we’re seeing is creators and business owners getting louder, bolder, and more direct because “safe” isn’t cutting through. When everything feels chaotic, clarity wins. Not perfect content. Not polished captions. Clarity.
Topic: Your business isn’t growing because your message is weak. Not because you’re lazy. Not because you’re not talented. Weak messaging looks like playing it safe, talking around the point, and hoping people “just get it.” They won’t. The market is too loud. Attention is too expensive. And if your message can’t move people, it can’t pay you.
Noise vs Truth: The noise is “my audience isn’t listening” or “the algorithm hates me.” The truth is your audience listens when you’re saying the right shit in a way they can actually feel. And neutral isn’t safe. Neutral is invisible. But here’s the catch: bold doesn’t mean messy. If you chase controversy just to chase it, you might get views and still end up broke, burned out, or dealing with the wrong people.
Expert Lens: Kristina and I lay out a simple framework: Stand. Say. Sell. Stand on what you believe (for real). Say it in plain English (not vague marketing). Then sell your service like you’re not ashamed to get paid. If you don’t respect your own offer, your audience won’t either.
The Plan: This week, stop posting like you’re trying to be liked. Post like you’re trying to be understood by the right people. Say the thing you’ve been dodging. Tighten your message until it’s repeatable. And connect your content to an actual next step. Likes don’t pay bills. Clarity does.
This is part of our Black History Month Series, so we also go there: who gets to speak on Black history, what “authentic” really means, and why some lines shouldn’t be crossed for clicks.
