CURAT—D

In 2022, CURAT—D was born. Since then, we’ve partnered with 7-figure founders, signed high-profile clients (including one of Hollywood’s biggest names), and helped our clients close a $4M deal—all by using their personal brands.

Our mission is simple:

Help founders build brands that stand out and bring results.

At CURAT—D, we take a hands-on approach. We help you:

- Craft your unique story
- Grow your audience
- Build your authority
- Attract high-ticket clients

The best part?

It’s all done through organic content—no ads, no gimmicks, just real value.

We capture your authentic voice through simple processes like:

- Content calls
- Voice memos
- Raw thoughts you share, turned into content that drives engagement and results.

Our goal?

To take your brand to the next level and 10x your growth.

Outside of work, I’m always looking for my next challenge. I’ve traveled the world, spoken at events like The Metaverse Summit in Silicon Valley I watch every single Formula One Grandprix, and am always pushing myself to grow.

But my true passion is seeing my clients succeed. 

I’m here to help you turn your LinkedIn profile into more than just a social media account—it can be the key to unlocking your next big opportunity.

Curious to learn how?

Send me a message, and let’s talk about how we can elevate your brand.

Let’s make big things happen together.

Founder

U-Topia Ecosystem

It started with one meeting. In 2021, I'm 20 years old and I meet Emmanuel Quezada, CEO of U-topia Ecosystem. He shared a bold vision: creating a groundbreaking Web3 ecosystem. Days later, I joined as the sole US-based team member.

My title? Director of Partnerships.
My mission? Own the US market.

Over 14 months, here’s what I accomplished:

- Built connections with 20+ teams, linking U-topia to other metaverses.
- Led meetings with companies like Binance.
- Partnered with NFT communities to create interconnection bridges.
- Engaged VCs to showcase U-topia’s vision and future.
- Spoke at global events, sharing the stage with CEOs of $100M+ companies.
- Traveled to Dubai to meet the team face-to-face and strengthen collaboration.
- These moments weren’t just professional wins—they were personal milestones.

I grew relationships that turned into lifelong friendships. I learned the art of trust, connection, and creating real value in a fast-moving industry.

But as CURAT—D, my content agency, began to demand my full focus, I faced a tough decision. I chose to step away from U-topia to fully dedicate myself to my next chapter.

Today, I’m proud of the foundation we built together.
U-topia is now working with global giants like Adidas, FIFA, and Walmart, building cutting-edge IP products and redefining the Web3 space.

I’ll always root for their success and the bright future ahead.

Director of Partnerships | Partner

MONACAIR

In 2021, I was 19 years old and joined Monacair, Monaco’s premier private helicopter service, as a Business Development Intern.

My mission was to assist in expanding Monacair’s reach.

Over two months, here’s what I accomplished:

- Assisted in refining Monacair’s B2B partnership strategy.
- Conducted market research to identify high-value clientele and potential partners.
- Supported the sales team in optimizing customer acquisition efforts.
- Helped improve internal processes by analyzing client data and operational workflows.
- Gained firsthand experience in the ultra-luxury aviation space, working alongside a high-performance team.

I learned lessons in high-stakes client relations, precision-driven service, and the power of seamless logistics.

It was fast-paced, high-energy, and filled with invaluable insights.

But as my passion for branding and business growth evolved, I knew my next challenge awaited.

Still, I’ll always appreciate the experience and the foundation Monacair gave me in navigating elite service industries.

Intern

Building digital legacies for Founders & CEOs | Founder of CURAT-D

I’m Aurelien, and I help b2b founders turn their personal brands into a revenue-generating machine.

My journey started 7 years ago when, at 15, I launched my first company, STRADA PARIS. I had no experience, but I had a vision. 

Fast forward a few years—while I was still a student in Boston—I made my very first LinkedIn post, and everything changed.

What started as a leap of faith turned into a business that helps founders build their personal brands, drive growth, and generate serious revenue.

In 2022, CURAT—D was born. 

Since then, we’ve partnered with 7-figure founders, signed high-profile clients (including one of Hollywood’s biggest names), and helped our clients close a $4M deal—all by using LinkedIn organic content.

Our mission is simple:

Help founders build brands that stand out and bring results.

At CURAT—D, we take a hands-on approach. We help you:

- Craft your unique story
- Grow your audience
- Build your authority
- Attract high-ticket clients

The best part?

It’s all done through organic LinkedIn strategies—no ads, no gimmicks, just real value.

We capture your authentic voice through simple processes like:

- Content calls
- Voice memos
- Raw thoughts you share, turned into content that drives engagement and results.

Our goal?

To take your brand to the next level and 10x your growth.

Outside of work, I’m always looking for my next challenge. I’ve traveled the world, spoken at events like The Metaverse Summit in Silicon Valley I watch every single Formula One Grandprix, and am always pushing myself to grow.

But my true passion is seeing my clients succeed. 

I’m here to help you turn your LinkedIn profile into more than just a social media account—it can be the key to unlocking your next big opportunity.

Curious to learn how?

Send me a message, and let’s talk about how we can elevate your brand.

Let’s make big things happen together.

Aurelien Scagnolari

I'm turning 24 this month. Two years ago, I graduated college and went all in on building CURAT—D. Here's everything that happened in the last 912 days:

Studied in Boston, majored in Entrepreneurship. Always wanted to build companies (first one was at 14)

In college, I went to every conference I could. Met people online. Published everything I was learning on LinkedIn. At the time, blockchain was booming. I posted a ton about it.

Joined a company as Director of Partnerships. I was tasked to expand their US presence. Through that role, I got invited to speak at a Summit in Silicon Valley (people were paying $5,000 to attend). Got invited to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. I was 20. It was surreal.

I had about 4,000 followers. 

CEOs started reaching out asking how I was doing it. They wanted tips. This was before "LinkedIn gurus" were a thing, so my help actually mattered.

I helped them for free at first. Creating posts. Getting attention. They'd sign deals. I thought: okay, there's something here.

Then I started getting paid. Freelance gigs. Pay-per-project stuff.

And I realized: if you have customers, you have a business.

My girlfriend (still my girlfriend today) helped me with the branding, the mission statement, all of it. I took four weeks in the mountains to focus on building. Then I launched.

A few weeks later: first clients.

Then I did a world tour. Seoul, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, SF. Meeting leaders, clients, learning everything I could.

In 2023, I lost 80% of my revenue in four weeks.

I was doing everything myself. Posting dozens of client posts every week. Not delegating.

People started telling me the business was going to fail. That I wouldn't make it.

I didn't know what to do. So I restructured. 

And then I had the best month ever.

Where are we now?

New website soon. 

Amazing partners I'm meeting in person as much as possible.

People trust me for the work we do. For the skills of my team.

But I know what got me here won't get me to the next level.

My LinkedIn presence still books me a ton of calls every week. That's the foundation.

But now it's about scaling beyond just me.

The mission is to make CURAT—D the best personal branding partner ever created.

White-glove service for founders making $1M to $30M a year.

Build personal brands that get them leads, visibility, trust, authority, all of it.

I'm healthy. I've got an incredible team.

Now we keep pushing. We keep building.

Here's to 24.

Founder at CURAT—D | We partner with service & tech founders to build authority that compounds into clients, capital, and opportunities

I'm hiring our first full-time Content Strategist at CURAT—D.

If you want to work with founders who've exited for 8/9 figures, Hollywood talent, global leaders, and CEOs building legendary companies, this is it.

You'll be paid to extract stories, shape ideas, and turn them into content that drives results.

And if things go well you'll grow into Head of Content next year and own the entire department.

If you're in apply, or tag someone who should :)

Thank you Antler.

8 weeks ago, I'm thinking about a problem. 
My clients keep asking: "Can we do video content?" Sure. But then:

"What's the script?"
"What lighting?"
"Which camera? Should I use my phone?"
"Who edits it?"

It becomes this whole thing. So they don't do it.

But video is how leaders are communicating now. Fortune 500 CEOs speaking directly to stakeholders. 

Video forces you to be real. You're either authentic or you're not. There's no hiding behind polished copy.

That's the power of it.

Then came the idea…

What if I made it stupid simple for founders to shoot video?

Show up. Sit down. Answer questions. We handle everything else.

That's when The Booth idea hit me.

I called Ted Merz, CFA. He spent 3 decades at Bloomberg. Incredible person. Perfect partner for this.

"Let's do it."

Two weeks later, we had a spot at Antler to test it.

We set up the booth on a Saturday. Had to be ready by Monday.

Ted looks at it: "This isn't soundproof."

He's right. It's in a co-working space. If someone's recording, no one can work.

Panic mode. Went to Amazon. Bought the best soundproof panels I could find. Installed them overnight.

The results:

30 founders interviewed. 15 minutes each. 7.5 hours of footage.

We asked everyone: "How was your Antler experience?"

Every single person said the same thing. Life-changing. Amazing community. Incredible tools.

4,000 applicants. 150 accepted. Only 8-10 get funded. Everyone's dialed in from morning to night for six weeks.

The emotions were real. It was the end of their cohort, the last week.

We compiled all the answers into one video showing gratitude to Antler and what the experience really means to founders.

Thank you, Antler and the whole NY team, Kaila Jeff McKenzie Malcolm-Wiley Sam Allie Wouter.

Ps: If you want the booth in your space, send us a DM :)

There was a moment I decided I wasn't going to live a normal life.

I was 16.

My dad used to travel to the US for work. He'd come back and tell me: "That place is full of opportunities. Full of ambitious people. If you want to be successful, discover the world, meet interesting people, that's where you need to go."

I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life yet. But I asked my parents if I could spend a year abroad in the US. 

They said yes.

I spent a year in Denver, Colorado with a host family I still consider my second family.

That's where I discovered entrepreneurship.

Books. Business conferences. People like Gary V and Tai Lopez (yes I know…) telling the young generation: "You can write your own story. You don't have to follow the traditional path."

I read everything I could. Started thinking about building businesses.

And I came back to France thinking: this is what I want to do.

I wanted freedom. Agency over my own agenda. The ability to travel whenever I wanted. To be my own boss, not over other people, but over my own life.

So I finished high school in France. Started a clothing brand with my best friend. Learned a ton.

Then went back to the US for university. Joined a company as Director of Partnerships at 19. Built my personal brand on LinkedIn. Content was crushing it.

People started asking: "How are you generating this content while working and being a student?"

I started helping them.

That's how I got into this world.

But here's the thing, I've never struggled with anything in my life. 

My trauma isn't from high school or some personal hardship.

My trauma is from seeing people who couldn't afford things.

My dad also used to go to Africa when I was a kid. Every time I didn't finish my plate, he'd say: "I'm going to take you there and you'll see if you ever leave food on your plate again."

His message: You're privileged to have food. Finish it. Because there are people who would die for the scraps you're leaving behind.

I've seen both ends. People who had everything and were unhappy. People who had nothing and it was tough.

That's why I wanted my reality to be different.

I saw what was possible and what wasn't, and I wanted to be on the side where I had control.

I've been building toward this ever since.

If you're a Head of Marketing or Head of Comms at a company right now and you're NOT convincing your CEO to create video content in 2026, you're missing the biggest shift in founder-led communication we've seen in years.

Here's what's changing:

Leaders are speaking directly to their stakeholders.

No PR or corporate comms team polishing the message. Just raw, honest communication through their own channels.

And it's working.

Look at the examples:

Guillaume Moubeche from lemlist (company valued at +$150M) is crushing it with video content, speaking directly to customers.

Jon Gray from Blackstone does polished earnings calls in a suit, then sits at his desk and breaks down the three takeaways like a YouTuber. 

Jensen Huang does the same thing with his keynotes.

And don’t make me say what i didn’t say…this isn't about "being on social media." It's way deeper than that.

It's about trust, authority, and visibility. And it's a positive-sum game for your business.

Now why video?

Because the future of communication is more honest, more transparent, more raw. And video is the medium that makes that possible.

You can't fake authenticity in a 2-minute video the way you can in a polished press release.

Your stakeholders, (customers, investors, employees, partners,) want to hear from YOU. Not through a third party, or a filtered through a medium. 

Directly from the source!

The pushback I hear:

"My CEO doesn't want to be on social media."
"They're camera shy."
"They don't have time."
"They don't know what to talk about."

I get it. But there's SO MUCH to talk about.

What brought you to where you are today? What challenges did you face building the company? What details about your industry do people not understand? What decisions are you making right now that matter?

Finding which stories to tell (and how to tell them without sounding like everyone else) is the hard part. That's where we come in.

What we do:

We help you figure out which story to tell the world about you. Not making you look like someone you're not. Just finding who you are as a person, what matters to you, and packaging that in a way that resonates.

We build deep relationships with every partner (client, whatever you want to call it). We get to know you. We pull the stories out. We help you communicate them in your voice.

And with AI becoming more prevalent, choosing the right words, the human words, matters more than ever.

The bottom line: 

If you're in marketing or comms, your #1 job in 2026 should be getting your CEO to take the mic.

Video content from founders drives trust, authority, and visibility. It's not optional anymore. It's table stakes.

And if you need help figuring out what to say or how to say it, that's exactly what we do at CURAT—D.

Let's talk.

I haven't taken a day off in two years. Not a single one. For +900 days, I've worked for a few hours minimum. Usually more.

If I get in a car accident tomorrow, no one will take care of the business. I’ll even lose a few clients.

If something happens to my family, I still have to show up.

Entrepreneurship is way too glorified online.

"Be your own boss." "Work from anywhere." "Make millions."

But let me glorify it for you:

Some Saturdays I'm working at 11 PM. Some nights I'm sending emails at 2 AM. Some mornings I wake up stressed about what happened overnight with my US clients while I was asleep in Europe, some I won't sleep at all

There's always something that can go wrong. Deliverables. Client expectations. Cash flow.

It's not glamorous, yet I personally wouldn't do anything else.

Yes, it's hard. Yes, I work every single day. Yes, there are no sick days or vacations.

But I get to build something from nothing. I get to work with incredible people. I get to learn by doing.

And I'm grateful for it every single day.

Just don't let LinkedIn fool you into thinking it's easy.

Re-introducing CURAT—D.

We're a personal branding partner for founders and CEOs.

what we do:

We extract stories (the real ones, not the LinkedIn versions). We dig into your entire life, your company, how you actually operate, how you hire, what happens behind the scenes. Who you are as a person.

Then we amplify those stories at scale.

Two engines: video content and written content. Mostly using LinkedIn as the vehicle to get your voice out there in a way that actually sounds like you.

We work with founders for 6 to 12 months. Sometimes longer.

founders we work with are doing $5M to $20M in revenue per year. They're at the stage where their personal brand matters, for hiring, for partnerships, for deals, for authority in their space.

Our process is not quick.

We audit everything. your story. your company. how you do things differently. what makes you interesting. what pisses you off. what you believe that most people in your industry don't.

We meet you in person after a few months because you can't build someone's brand over Zoom calls alone. You need to see how they move, how they talk when they're comfortable, what they're like when the camera's off.

We don't use frameworks nor we apply the same playbook to everyone.

Every founder is different so is every story. That's the whole point.

If you're a founder who's tired of sounding like everyone else, let's talk.

I do manually what everyone else tries to automate. I have enough data right now to automate everything. The content creation. The commenting. The outreach. All of it.

I could plug an AI tomorrow and watch my profit margins go up.

But I don't, why?

Because I've seen what happens when you optimize for scale over soul. Founders end up with content that performs but doesn't feel like them. Posts that get engagement but don't build trust. Frameworks that work on paper but miss the whole point.

Personal branding is really messy, emotional, human.

Our content calls with clients…Sophia Kelly told me they feel more like therapy than marketing interviews. She told me once they helped her with self-discovery, questions she hadn't even thought to ask herself.

Most CEOs never sit down and reflect. They're in the weeds all day, working their asses off, then they go home. Repeat.

But when we do these extraction sessions, something usually clicks. "I haven't thought about it that way." "That's actually interesting."

I have an author as a client, he's used to this kind of thinking. But for most CEOs, these calls are more valuable than actual therapy sessions.

A lot of founders are blind to their own stories.

They don't see what's interesting about their journey until someone goes in and pulls it out. That's what we do. We extract. We find the emotion, the energy, the thing that makes them different.

Not a hook or a framework. 

If you look at our case studies, there's a pattern, storytelling that feels unique. Content that sounds like the person, not like everyone else running the same playbook.

Could I automate this and scale faster? Sure.

Would it work as well? No chance.

I'm running my own race here. Focused on depth. On the stuff you can't systematize.

And that's exactly how I want it.

Are you looking for a digital marketing expert who can help you achieve your business goals? Look no further. As a skilled marketer with expertise in social media, Facebook and Google Ads, and video editing, I have a proven track record of delivering results for my clients.

With my social media campaigns, I have increased engagement, followers, and website traffic for numerous clients. My Facebook and Google Ads campaigns have also generated impressive results.

Additionally, my video editing skills have enabled me to create engaging and effective content that resonates with audiences and drives conversions. 

Now, let's talk about how I can help you achieve your digital marketing goals. Whether you're looking to increase brand awareness, drive conversions, or improve your overall digital presence, I am here to help. Let's connect and discuss how we can work together to take your brand to the next level.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to grow your business. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and let's get started.

Sheza Yazdani

Helping CEOs and Founders Grow and Monetize Their Personal Brands on LinkedIn | $100K+ Results from intentional LinkedIn Growth Strategies | Personal Branding Strategist | CEO Focus Solutions

$1M+ organic reach. 13K+ followers. 200+ leaders positioned for influence. 

That’s what strategic authority-building looks like, and that’s what I build.

You’ve got the credibility. The track record. The offer.

But your audience still doesn’t get why you’re the one. 

That’s not on them, it’s on your positioning.

Closing that gap (between how good you are and how clearly the market sees it) is exactly what I do.

I help CEOs, founders, and coaches go from “posting online” to becoming the voice of their industry.

As CEO of Focus Solutions, I build authority systems that do 3 things exceptionally well:

1. Craft a strategic narrative that separates you from the noise
2. Position you so your audience wants to engage
3. Architect content that pulls in clients, media, and opportunities

Not tactics. Not hacks.

A real, repeatable system designed to make your name the one people remember.

The results speak for themselves:

- Took a coach from overlooked to a $100K closed deal after a single high-authority post (1M+ views)

- Grew my own presence to 10K+ followers in under 12 months without paid traffic

- Helped 20+ founders, coaches, and service providers build positioning systems that attract, convert, and compound

- Enabled clients to consistently generate qualified inbound leads without cold outreach or algorithm chasing.

If you're:

A coach who’s brilliant but overlooked

A founder tired of posting with no traction

A CEO who knows your voice needs to lead the market, not follow it…

Then your next move isn't more content. 

It’s clarifying who you are, what you stand for, and why your market should care.

If you’re ready to become a thought leader of your industry, book a call via my Featured section and let’s discuss your strategy.

Let’s make LinkedIn your most profitable asset and the proof of the authority you already are.

DM me or book a call

https://calendly.com/sheza-yazdani/new-meeting

Most CEOs think personal branding requires volume.

This newsletter digs into a problem most founders never say out loud which is:

The more the world pushes you to “show up,” the less space you have to think.

It connects Josef Pieper’s old warning about the loss of silence to today’s reality, where CEOs are expected to post daily, be vulnerable on cue, narrate every move, and keep up with a content machine that drains more than it delivers.

Instead of telling leaders to do more, it argues for the opposite:

A brand built from clarity, not performance.

Partnering with CEOs Founders and Coaches to Build Industry Thought Leaders through Strategic Narrative Positioning and Content Architecture | CEO at Focus Solutions

View newsletter: The Positioning Playbook

In 1985, philosopher Josef Pieper wrote Leisure: The Basis of Culture, where he warned of a world where work becomes so consuming, it eats the very si

Open article: The founder’s paradox: Everyone sees your business, but no one sees you. by Sheza Yazdani • 3 min read

The founder’s paradox: Everyone sees your business, but no one sees you.

Everyone keeps saying “just be clear.”

But clarity is not the reason people remember you.

Clarity is why they understand you.

What makes them remember you is coherence.

A pattern. A worldview. A presence they can feel.

If your content is clear but still invisible, it’s probably not a messaging problem.

It’s a depth problem.

Here’s what to build instead (and why your brain is wired to forget the rest):👇

If your content is clear but still forgettable, this is for you. There’s a moment where every founder realizes that people understand what they do… an

Open article: Clarity is a trap. Here’s what to build instead. by Sheza Yazdani • 2 min read

Clarity is a trap. Here’s what to build instead.

“Visibility doesn’t just attract attention. It earns recognition.”

And today, I’m honored to share something special:

I have been featured in Titanium Magazine’s Top 50 Global Inspirational Women to Look Out for in 2026. 

From building a business while raising three kids.

To help over 80+ CEOs, founders, and experts build personal brands that create demand before the first call.

To lead Focus Solutions as CEO.

This recognition isn’t just about me.

It’s about what happens when women own their story and show up every single day even with all the odds stacked against them.

Over the past 3 years, I’ve:

→ Built systems that convert content into high-value clients
→ Helped 50+ experts turn dead profiles into trusted personal brands
→ Challenged the noise of vanity metrics by building brands that actually drive business ROI

Being recognized alongside change makers like Dianah kamande, Heba Othman, Sally Hammoud, and Dr. Pavani Kadiyala reminds me:

There is power in being intentional.

There is power in building a legacy that leads.

And I’ll keep showing up for the voices that haven’t been heard yet and the leaders ready to rise with clarity and credibility.

P.S. A Special thanks to the The Prodigy and Love Charmaine Uychoco for the recognition.
#TheProdigyOfficial #TitaniumMagazine #Top50 #Trailblazers #WomenOfPurpose #Thailand2026

Professional portrait of a woman smiling confidently, dressed in business attire, standing against a clean background. This image accompanies an announcement celebrating her recognition as one of Titanium Magazine’s Top 50 Global Inspirational Women to Look Out for in 2026.”
(If the image is different, just tell me and I’ll tailor it.)

✅ HIGH-PERFORMANCE HASHTAGS (Authority-based + Discovery + Niche)
I’ve kept them balanced so LinkedIn won’t suppress the post (max 8–12 recommended).
Hashtags:
#WomenInLeadership
#InspirationalWomen
#Top50Women2026
#TitaniumMagazine
#PersonalBrandingExpert
#FounderStory
#WomenWhoLead
#CEOLife
#BrandStrategy
#WomenInBusiness
#LeadershipJourney
#TheProdigyOfficial
Want me to rewrite the post for maximum reach, authority, and depth — or give you an optimised hook + format based on LinkedIn’s 2025 algorithm?

Thank you New In Asia, for the feature!

I wrote this for founders doing meaningful work but still fighting for attention.

When I started Focus Solutions, I wasn’t sure what would resonate.

I just knew one thing:

Founders deserve messaging that does justice to the value they deliver.

Because it’s frustrating to do exceptional work and still be overlooked.

It’s exhausting to show up with heart and still feel like you’re shouting into the void.

The truth I’ve learned?

Content isn’t about more posts, better visuals, or perfect hacks.

It’s about earning the belief that leads to action. You can read the complete feature here:

To read the complete feature see the link in the comments ⬇️

If people need to pull up your profile to describe what you do, your brand isn’t sticky.

Your positioning should live in their mind, not your headline.

And yet, I see profiles every week with lines like:

“Transformational coach for high performers.”

What does that even mean?

Here’s the test:

Can your dream client explain your value in 3 seconds without looking you up?

If not, your positioning won’t get you clients. Or referrals.

Sticky positioning does 3 things:

It’s emotionally precise (“burned-out founder” > “ambitious professional”)

It’s visually concrete (“build a business that doesn’t burn you out”)

It’s memorable (triggers a mental shortcut like “She’s the one who helps…”)

I help clients craft lines that stick.

So they become the first name their clients think of when a problem hits.

📌 If your positioning isn’t working while you sleep, it’s not working at all.

DM me “STICKY” and let’s fix your positioning today.

Carousel showing a breakdown of what makes brand positioning sticky with short statements highlighting emotional precision visual clarity and memorability. The graphics emphasize how clear positioning helps clients remember you instantly and how vague headlines weaken credibility. The final slide invites readers to refine their positioning so it works even when they are offline.

Everyone’s bragging about their new AI tools. But let’s be honest.

AI didn’t make you sound smarter.

It just exposed that you never had a voice to begin with.

Here’s what I’ve seen after working with 50+ founders and CEOs on their LinkedIn strategy:

AI can write.

But it can’t position.

It can’t pull from your lived experience, your client results, your real tone of voice.

That’s why some posts get 100 likes and zero leads.

Because they’re structured well but say nothing new.

The truth?

→ The most powerful content doesn’t come from a tool.

It comes from knowing what only you can say.

Here’s how I help clients stand out in an AI-cluttered feed:

✅ We don’t start with “write this post.”

We start with: What are you the go-to for?

What stories earned you trust offline?

What proof do your clients rave about?

Then (and only then) do we let AI assist.

As a second brain.

Because content that converts isn't generated.

It’s distilled from your authority.

And if you can’t hear yourself in your own post.

Neither can your next client.

Want to use AI without sounding like ChatGPT?

DM me “VOICE” and I’ll help you build a brand that sounds like you, on your best day.

Bold minimalist text reads: ‘Everyone’s bragging about their new AI tools. But let’s be honest… AI didn’t make you sound smarter. It just exposed that you never had a voice to begin with.’ The visual introduces a thought-leadership post about authentic personal branding in the age of AI. The content argues that AI can write—but it can’t position, interpret lived experience, or build authority. It explains why posts that sound polished often fail to convert, and how founders and CEOs can use AI as a second brain instead of a replacement. The image aligns with topics like voice, positioning, and authority on LinkedIn.”

SEO / Hashtags (add to caption or comments for discoverability):
#PersonalBranding #LinkedInStrategy #AIContent #AuthenticVoice #ThoughtLeadership #ChatGPT #AIWriting #ContentMarketing #FounderBrand #AuthorityBuilding #AIAssist #HumanVsAI #BrandVoice #MarketingStrategy #ContentThatConverts #AIAgency #Positioning #Copywriting #LinkedInGrowth #VoiceOverVolume #ContentStrate

People do not buy talent

They buy certainty that you are right for them

Trust is built through proof not promises

Random testimonials are noise without a system

Real authority comes from repeated visible patterns

Your brand is trusted when your results feel predictable

Read the full article to build your Proof Ecosystem and turn trust into demand

When people don’t buy from you, it’s rarely because you’re not good. It’s because they’re not sure if you’re good for them. That’s the difference betw

Open article: What if people trusted you without needing to be convinced? by Sheza Yazdani • 4 min read

What if people trusted you without needing to be convinced?

The biggest myth in personal branding?

That confidence equals self-promotion.

I have spent the last 12 months helping 50+ CEOs, founders, and coaches who hated the idea of “selling themselves.”
 
Yet, they built authority without a single humble-brag.

They didn’t want to sound salesy.

They didn’t want to boast.

They didn’t want to look desperate.

But here’s what we did instead:

- We positioned them clearly.
- We showcased what made them different, not just better.
- We told real stories of transformation.
- We gave their brilliance the visibility it deserves.

Because leadership today is not just about doing great work.

It’s about making your work undeniably visible without feeling fake.

You don’t need to say “I’m the best.”

You say:
“I help founders scale through storytelling that converts.”
“I guide teams by building cultures that retain talent.”
“I specialize in sales that feel like trust, not pressure.”

That’s not salesy. That’s specific.

And specificity builds trust faster than buzzwords ever could.

LinkedIn’s 2025 algorithm now favors expert led content posts where the voice of experience beats the voice of noise.

That means authority wins over virality.

So no, personal branding isn’t bragging.

It’s making it easy for the right people to say:

“You’re exactly who I’ve been looking for.”

If you want to promote your value without feeling like a walking pitch deck,
comment AUTHENTIC. I’ll share the exact positioning framework we use to make experts magnetic (without selling out).

“A confident professional standing in front of a blurred audience, symbolizing authentic visibility and leadership. Represents the idea of building authority through clarity, credibility, and connection — not self-promotion.”

(Tip: if you use a carousel, the first image alt text should include “personal branding strategy” and “LinkedIn thought leadership” — that improves accessibility and SEO indexing.)

🧠 SEO-Optimized Keywords (for AI & Google relevance)

Add these subtly in your caption or comments to help both Google and AI models associate your post with high-value concepts:

personal branding strategy

LinkedIn authority building

authentic visibility

expert positioning framework

storytelling for leaders

thought leadership on LinkedIn

self-promotion vs authority

🏷️ Hashtags for LinkedIn (balanced for reach + niche authority)

Mix broad + specific + branded tags. Keep it to 5–7 total (LinkedIn’s sweet spot).

Recommended:
#PersonalBranding
#LinkedInStrategy
#ThoughtLeaders

Most personal brands are stuck in what I call the “Timeless Bubble.”

They craft an evergreen pitch.

One message.

One line.

One promise.

But the market doesn’t live in a bubble.

Your buyer’s context changes weekly.

→ The startup founder in June? Wants visibility before their Series A.
→ The same founder in September? Needs to hire. Their content should attract talent.
→ In Q1? They want deal flow. Your message better reflect that shift.

If your positioning doesn’t evolve with your audience’s environment, it becomes noise.

So instead of trying to be “the only,”

Be “the only one who gets it right now.”

That’s what I help my clients do.

→ We map your ICP’s decision cycles
→ Identify seasonal urgency (fundraising, hiring, launching, market fear)
→ And position your voice as the most relevant solution for the moment they’re in

That’s what creates magnetic pull.

Not just clarity.
Not just consistency.
But timing.

Most ghostwriters write posts

I build positioning calendars.

So every single post does two things:

✅ Matches your offer to their mental state
✅ Reflects what your audience is silently Googling at 11 PM

If you feel your message is “clear” but still not converting…

You don’t have a clarity problem.

You have a context problem.

And context is where positioning really lives.

P.S. Want to see how I time my clients’ content to their buyers’ decisions? DM me “CONTEXT”, I’ll send you a sample positioning calendar breakdown.

“Text-based graphic explaining why content without context fails. Highlights how founders’ priorities shift across the year, why positioning must evolve with buyer environments, and how mapping decision cycles creates more relevant, higher-converting content.”

Hashtags:
#Positioning #MarketingStrategy #PersonalBranding #ContextualMarketing #LinkedInStrategy #ICP #BrandPositioning #ContentStrategy #Ghostwriting #B2BMarketing

Big audiences don’t build category leaders. Clear language does.

Most experts compete by saying: “I’m the best at what I do.”

Category designers flip the script.

They say: “I’m the only one who sees it this way.”

That’s the difference between being a “leadership coach” vs. being the creator of “anti-burnout leadership.”

One competes. The other commands.

Want to design your own category?

Here’s how:

1. Find your enemy.

What’s the outdated belief your market still clings to? Name it.

(Ex: “More visibility = more leads” is a belief I challenge.)

2. Reframe the game.

What do your best clients need to believe before they buy from you?

(Ex: “LinkedIn isn’t content. It’s a dealflow engine.”)

3. Name your lens.

Give your POV a name. Make it yours. That’s your intellectual property moat.

(Ex: My Brand DNA Method, because most content misses the source code.)

You don’t need more reach. You need language people repeat.

Comment “CATEGORY” below and I’ll send you my Category Clarity Template.

Minimalist text graphic on category design and clear positioning over generic expertise.
Highlights how naming your enemy belief and unique lens creates authority.

After auditing 100+ brands this year, one pattern stands out.

The smartest brands aren’t just differentiating.

→ They’re de-positioning. 

(Not just standing out. But making the old category feel obsolete.)

Think about it:

Slack didn’t win by saying, “We’re a better email.”

They won by making email look like a slow, outdated way to collaborate.

They didn’t just differentiate.

They de-positioned email as the wrong tool for modern teams.

That’s how they reframed the entire communication category, and that’s the real power of de-positioning.

In personal branding, it’s the same game.

You don’t need to shout louder.

You need to shift the frame of comparison.

Here’s how I help founders and CEOs do it:

✅ We don’t just position your offer.

We de-position what your audience used to settle for.

→ Generic consultants.
→ Influencer-style ghostwriters.
→ Brands built on tips, not systems.

Suddenly, you’re not just “different.”

You’re necessary.

And your competitors?

They start to feel like last year’s model.

That’s when your brand becomes a category of one.

Are you differentiating or de-positioning?

Most executives get this wrong.

Drop “DIFFERENT” in the comments if you want to see what your current brand is really doing.

A bold LinkedIn carousel or text post showing the concept of de-positioning in branding — explaining how modern executives and founders can make old categories obsolete instead of just differentiating. Mentions examples like Slack vs email, and includes a three-step framework for de-positioning: identifying outdated beliefs, exposing frustrations, and reframing the category with a new promise. Written by a personal branding strategist helping CEOs and founders build category-of-one brands in 2025.


Hashtags (High-Intent, Mixed Density)
#DePositioning #BrandStrategy #PersonalBranding #CategoryDesign #MarketingStrategy #Positioning #BrandDifferentiation #LinkedInStrategy #BrandBuilding #BusinessStrategy #FounderBrand #GoToMarket #StrategicMarketing #BrandNarrative #B2BMarketing #Storytelling #MarketingTrends2025 #LinkedInContent #ThoughtLeadership #GrowthStrategy #AIandBranding #ChatGPTMarketing #DigitalPositioning #ContentStrategy


You’re being ignored because you’re not showing up like an expert.
(and it’s wasting your time)

Here’s why it matters.

- You’ve hit the top.
- You’ve got the title.
- You’ve made the money.
- But on LinkedIn? Crickets

Why?

Because 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵

Experts are defined by the unique value they bring. 

Not by titles, not by accolades, but by the 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 you can offer that no one else can.

It’s a familiar trap:
→ Post your success story
→ Talk about how you “made it”
→ Hope people see your expertise

𝘕𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴.

Success is a given.

Expertise? 

That’s earned by teaching what others can’t.

Try this:

Stop showcasing what you’ve done
Start showcasing what you’ve learned.Real expertise comes from:
→ The tough lessons,
→ The decisions that didn’t work,
→ The unique insights you’ve gained that no one else has.

I did this for a client last month. 

A CEO with a massive following. 

But on LinkedIn? 

He wasn’t seen as an authority.We changed the game:

→ Focused on depth, not breadth.
→ Shared lessons from real failures
→ Highlighted decisions, not just outcomes

Now he’s seen as a thought leader, not just another CEO with a successful business.

The key:
→ Focus on what only YOU can teach
→ Share the hard truths
→ Go deeper, not wider.

Want to stop blending in and start being the expert you were meant to be? Let’s talk

A minimalist text graphic emphasizing that success and job titles do not equal expertise on LinkedIn. Highlights the shift from showcasing achievements to sharing real lessons failures and unique insights to build true authority and thought leadership.

Seth Godin never says “I’m a marketer.”

But everyone sees him as one anyway.

Why?

Because he didn’t build his positioning through a title.

He built it through decades of behaviour that made the label obvious.

You recognise him as a marketer because:

• He wrote 20+ books about how people make decisions
• He publishes daily essays that dissect attention, trust, and change
• He founded altMBA, a school built around teaching people how to create value
• He popularised concepts like “tribes,” “shipping,” and “permission marketing”
• He shows up with the same worldview every single day, consistently, relentlessly

That’s how positioning works.

Not by declaring an identity…

 …but by repeating a perspective so consistently that people start naming it for you.

This is brand psychology 101:

We assign roles based on patterns, not titles.

It’s how the brain reduces complexity: we create shortcuts.

And that’s exactly what most founders get wrong on LinkedIn.

They put “Coach” or “Strategist” in their headline and expect people to believe it.

But people don’t believe titles.

They believe behaviours.

They believe:
• Your worldview (what you stand by)
• Your transformations (who you’ve helped)
• Your lived experiences (what shaped your perspective)

These repeated patterns form your “mental shortcut”... your real positioning.

If you want people to see you as the go‑to expert in your niche, don’t announce who you are.

Show them, consistently, until the title becomes inevitable.

👇 Save this as your positioning starter pack.

Minimalist quote graphic featuring the line “When your brand earns trust, awards follow” over a clean neutral background, paired with a short branding lesson inspired by Seth Godin about how positioning is built through consistent behavior, worldview, and proof over time rather than titles or self-declared labels.

This year proved one thing:


Your name is leverage.

And most people still treat it like an afterthought.

Build your brand now.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving with love and happiness 💗

My content didn’t start working when I had more time. 

It started working when my third kid was born.

Pressure forces clarity. 
Clarity builds authority. 
Authority drives inbound.

For context my LinkedIn profile tells you I have worked with 50+ CEOs. And helped clients attract leads without chasing them.

But here’s what it doesn’t tell you:

→ I posted for 6 months with zero inbound leads
→ I posted daily for 1 year until I saw one viral post
→ I wasted hours writing “smart” posts no one read
→ My first few clients found me through referrals, not content
→ I had no niche, no clear message, and no offer that converted
→ I almost gave up because I thought I was too late to stand out

I made every mistake in the book:

– I copied what top creators were doing instead of finding my voice
– I confused reach with relevance, and burned out chasing likes
– I built a content system before I had a positioning strategy

Here’s what changed everything:

✅ I stopped writing for the feed and started designing perception.
– Content is not just content; it’s your pitch, your proof, your positioning
– The best content doesn’t just go viral, it gets forwarded to decision-makers

✅ I stopped talking to everyone and started writing for one person.
– One ICP per post
– One problem per message
– One goal: build trust before the DM

✅ I stopped chasing clarity. I engineered it.
– I defined my POV
– Created boundaries for what I do (and don’t do)
– Built systems to scale without sounding like everyone else

None of this happened overnight.

I just kept showing up.

Even when the algorithm was working against me.

Even when I wasn’t sure if anyone was watching.

Even when the leads didn’t come.

If you’re creating and it feels like no one cares.

Keep going.

You don’t need to be perfect.

You only need to be real and consistent enough for the right people to find you.

Join my newsletter https://lnkd.in/dxGpK6AZ and follow me for more posts on personal branding Sheza Yazdani

“Screenshot-style text post about the founder of a personal branding agency sharing the real path behind growing her business: posting for months with no leads, early mistakes in content, lack of niche, and the eventual shift toward positioning, perception design, ICP focus, and message clarity. Encourages creators to stay consistent and authentic so the right clients can find them.”

HASHTAGS (High-signal, low-noise):
#PersonalBranding #LinkedInGrowth #BrandStrategy #ContentMarketing #MarketingAgency #FounderStory #AudienceBuilding #ChatGPT #GoogleSEO #ContentStrategy

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