The Blue Ocean Messaging Mistake: A Clever Trap That Keeps Great Clients Away (Clarity Before Creativity Series)
Establish Yourself® Podcast | Episode 61
What if the reason messaging feels hard… is because you’re trying to sound too original?
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I can’t use that word—it’s so overused,” you’re in good company. A lot of smart, experienced coaches and consultants have been trained to believe that differentiation means inventing brand-new language.
And I get the desire. The industry does have a jargon problem. No one wants to sound fluffy, vague, or like “just another coach.”
But here’s the twist: when you avoid common words in the name of standing out, you don’t end up in a Blue Ocean.
You end up in an empty ocean—where you might feel unique… and your best prospects can’t find you, recognize themselves, or trust what you do.
The Messaging Trap Behind “Overused” Words
Effective Blue Ocean Strategy is about innovating the solution—not inventing unfamiliar vocabulary.
Great clients don’t hire the most poetic headline. They hire the message that feels obvious and safe to their brain:
“Oh. That’s me.”
“This person gets it.”
“I know what this is—and I want it.”
The goal isn’t to use vague language. The goal is to use recognizable language and then ground it with context so it’s specific, credible, and clearly yours.
Here’s what that shift does for your business:
Makes you more findable (because you’re using client-language)
Makes you more trustworthy (because you sound clear, not performative)
Makes you easier to hire (because people immediately understand what you mean)
Gives your creativity a better home: packaging, delivery, experience—not basic positioning
Ready to Stop Overthinking Your Words?
If you’re tired of rewriting your headline like it’s a creative writing contest, this episode will help you come back to clarity and the right ocean to be in—without sacrificing what makes your work truly different.
🎧 Listen now to find your best “ocean”👇
Put this into action👇
Want to avoid the Blue Ocean Mistake and get clear on the real, recognizable language that belongs in your messaging? 👉 Book a free consultation with me here, and we’ll pinpoint how to clarify your message and offers from here
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