How to become a category of one

Most solopreneurs are stuck, trying to shout louder, create more content, and squeeze themselves into an oversaturated market. They think, “If I just keep pushing harder, maybe I’ll stand out.” But here’s the truth: competing doesn’t work. If you want to stop being part of the noise and start being the one people turn to, you need to become a category of one.

Why competing is the slow lane to nowhere

Competing is exhausting and, frankly, a waste of your time. When you’re constantly fighting for attention, it feels like you’re treading water. You spend your days chasing leads, trying to get noticed, while the Hollow Hustlers - those people with more hype than substance - are grabbing attention with slick marketing tricks. You’re working hard, but it’s not working.

The reality is, your value doesn’t come from outshining everyone else. It comes from creating something that’s impossible to compete with. You don’t need to be the loudest in the room - you need to be the one your audience can’t ignore. This is what it means to create a category of one.

The five elements that make you impossible to compete with

Becoming a category of one isn’t about doing more or trying to be everything to everyone. It’s about nailing down five core elements that, when combined, make you irreplaceable. These aren’t just random tactics - together, they create a magnetic pull that draws the right clients to you. Let’s break them down.

1. Your personality: The magnetic force that pulls people in

Your personality is what makes your brand uniquely you. Think about it - people don’t just buy your service; they buy into you as a person. This is where most solopreneurs fall short. They try to water themselves down to appeal to everyone. But here’s the truth: showing more of your real self doesn’t drive people away; it pulls the right ones closer.

Why this matters:

• Authenticity is magnetic. The more of your real personality you show, the stronger the emotional connection with your audience. It’s that connection that builds trust and loyalty.
• No one can copy your personality. They can copy your services, but not you. It’s the one thing that truly sets you apart from your competitors.

Ask yourself:

• Am I showing up as my authentic self, or am I holding back?
• Do my clients get a sense of who I really am, or do I blend in with everyone else?

When you let your true personality shine, you become unforgettable. Your personality isn’t just an accessory to your business - it’s a core part of why people choose you over someone else.

2. Your audience: A group within a group

Defining your audience isn’t just about demographics - it’s about finding a specific group within a larger market that resonates deeply with your message. Speaking to a niche doesn’t limit you; it focuses you. The more focused your message, the more powerful your brand becomes.

Why this matters:

• Clarity creates confidence. When your audience knows exactly who you’re for, it builds trust. They see you as the expert who understands their unique needs.
• It’s easier to stand out. When you speak directly to a smaller, more specific group, your message cuts through the noise. Broad, generic messaging is forgettable; specific messaging sticks.

Ask yourself:

• Have I defined a clear, specific audience that I want to serve?
• Am I speaking directly to their needs and desires, or am I trying to appeal to too many people?

By honing in on a clear audience, you position yourself as a leader within that space. You become the go-to person for a specific group of people, which makes you stand out.

3. Solve a specific problem with a clear outcome

Vagueness is a killer when it comes to building a strong personal brand. If your offer is too broad, nobody will remember it. People don’t buy services - they buy solutions to their problems. The clearer you are about the problem you solve and the outcome you deliver, the easier it is for people to choose you.

Why this matters:

• Specificity sells. When your audience knows exactly what problem you solve, it makes the decision to work with you easy. You’re not just another option - you’re the solution to their problem.
• It gives you authority. Being crystal clear about the problem you solve positions you as an expert. You become the person who’s known for solving that problem.

Ask yourself:

• Can someone instantly understand the problem I solve when they visit my website or profile?
• Am I solving a specific problem, or am I offering too much without clarity?

If you’re vague, you’re forgettable. But when you solve a specific problem with a clear outcome, you make yourself indispensable. People know exactly why they need you.

4. Your methodology: Your unique approach that sets you apart

Every solopreneur has experience and expertise, but few package it into a unique methodology. Your methodology is your signature way of doing things - a process or system that gets results. This is what makes your approach different from everyone else’s.

Why this matters:

• It makes you the expert. When you have a defined methodology, you’re not just offering a service - you’re offering a proven framework that gets results. It positions you as an authority.
• It’s harder to copy. Your methodology is a proprietary part of your brand. It’s something clients can only get from you, which gives you a competitive edge.

Ask yourself:

• Have I created a signature process or framework that delivers consistent results?
• Is my methodology something that differentiates me from others in my industry?

Having a unique methodology elevates your brand. It’s not just about what you do; it’s about how you do it and why that matters.

5. The brand enemy: Uniting your audience against a common foe

Let’s be clear - your brand enemy isn’t a person or a competitor. It’s a mindset, practice, or way of thinking that your audience is tired of. It’s what they’re trying to escape. Identifying this enemy helps you position yourself as the solution to a common problem, and it creates a sense of belonging for your audience.

Why this matters:

• It gives your audience a cause to rally behind. People love being part of something bigger. When you define an enemy - something your audience is frustrated with - they’re more likely to align with you.
• It clarifies your positioning. By standing against something, you make it clear what you stand for. This strengthens your messaging and makes your brand more memorable.

Ask yourself:

• Have I identified a clear belief, practice, or approach that I disagree with?
• Is this something my clients are also frustrated with?

Your enemy isn’t about negativity - it’s about drawing a line in the sand and giving your audience a reason to stand with you. It makes your brand stronger and more relatable.

How these five elements work together

Each of these five elements is powerful on its own, but when you combine them, something incredible happens. Together, they create a magnetic pull that attracts your ideal clients and makes you impossible to compete with.

• Your personality makes you authentic and relatable.
• Your audience focus sharpens your messaging and gives you clarity.
• Solving a specific problem with a clear outcome makes your value undeniable.
• Your methodology differentiates you as an expert with a proven process.
• Your brand enemy unites your audience and gives them a cause to follow.

When you master these five elements, you don’t just build a business - you build a brand that leads, not follows. You stop competing and start setting the standard.

Time to take action

If you want to stand out and lead, take a close look at your business and ask yourself: Am I building a category of one, or am I just another option? Go back to those five areas and evaluate where you stand. If you’re not nailing all of them, it’s time to take action.

Stop trying to be better than your competitors. Start being different.

Ready to become a category of one?

My Social Selling Accelerator gives you the blueprint to build your personal brand, stand out in your market, and win clients without chasing them. Let’s talk about how the Accelerator can help you dominate your space.