Welcome to the debut issue of Marketing By One, the weekly newsletter for time-starved, budget-conscious solo entrepreneurs, creators, and marketers.
I’ve had this idea for several years. (Hello to those of you who signed up a couple of years ago 😁) But I never got the time to do it the right way. Well, let’s be honest, I never made the time to work on it. As a solopreneur, I default to those projects that promise money in return for my work. After all, the bills need to get paid.
However, when The Tilt newsletter (and my contract) ended, I knew it was time to take the leap into my own content business. So, welcome. Let me know how I can help you and your business (reply to this email or connect with me on LinkedIn).
And if you want, forward this email to a friend who's in business and interested in content to help their marketing. I would appreciate it. And if you’re that friend? Subscribe today.
Let’s start the journey!
— Ann Gynn
The Hotline
How To Write a Bio That’s On Brand
I’ve watched a few episodes of Jimmy Fallon’s new reality show, On Brand. He’s the CEO of a made-for-TV marketing agency. Bozoma Saint John – the former CMO of Netflix and a star on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – serves as the CMO.
Frankly, despite the ridiculously rapid pace (contestants get two hours to generate an idea and pitch), it’s entertaining and a little educational for anyone who wants a glimpse into the creative mind (but not for anyone who wants to learn about what it’s really like to be a marketer).
NBC promotes the concept as "10 everyday Americans" pitching creative campaign ideas for major brands like Dunkin’ Donuts and Southwest Airlines. But these aren’t random people walking down the street.
I discovered that when I read their bios — not in the on-screen description below their name — the ones published on the website. All the contestants have their toes dipped in (or plunged) into marketing. There’s a ghostwriter for an influencer, an owner of a digital media agency, a professor of global marketing, a YouTuber, a honky tonk dance hall emcee, and so forth.
What delighted me wasn’t uncovering the truth that they do marketing, but the creativity and conciseness of the online bios.
Here are three of them:
Elijah Bennett is a Diet Coke-loving film school graduate from Chicago with a background in directing and screenwriting. He has a twin sister and a dry sense of humor, and he's currently working as a swim instructor and a ghostwriter for an influencer.
Pyper Blue is a multi-talented artist and entrepreneur who lives in Brooklyn, New York. She's a sculptor, crafter, martial artist, and YouTuber who founded a Brooklyn art collective and a clothing label and has never held a corporate job. She was raised partly in China and partly in the U.S. and currently runs a brick-and-mortar store with her mother.
Lauren Karwoski is a former news reporter and former Miss Orlando who left her job, broke up with her partner, sold all her belongings, and became a full-time solo traveler and content creator.
Sure, I desperately want to edit them (removing “currently” would be my first cut), but I appreciated how, in a few sentences (or just one in the case of Lauren), the person comes to life in the context of the On Brand show.
It got me thinking about solo entrepreneurs. You often ARE the show in your brand. How do you describe yourself in the context of an entrepreneur leading the brand? Your prospects, customers, and partners want to know.
The Challenge
So, that’s my challenge to you this week: Write your bio. Keep it to 500 characters or fewer. Get creative but not too wild. Make it relevant to your scenario.
Want an AI assist? Write a prompt that describes:
the type of bio (creative, formal, professional, etc.)
how it will be used (website about page, speaker description, LinkedIn bio, etc.)
how long you want it to be (one or two sentences, 500 characters or less, etc.)
Don’t forget to include links, relevant documents, or facts about you. And you don’t need to accept the first answer; give follow-up prompts to get more helpful results.
Review the AI-provided options, take the bits and pieces you like, and write the final version yourself. Then, use it!
Make it relevant. Then, use it!
BY THE WAY: Read this article that shares a couple of more lessons from Jimmy Fallon’s reality marketing show.
[Want help shortening your bio from a human? Send it to me and I’ll get out my editing scissors – no charge!]
The Marketing Minute
Get Engaged
Go to the social media platform where your audience lives. Comment thoughtfully on one post from someone in your audience (even better if you’re not connected to them). Make sure you follow them, and a few days later, extend an invite to connect.
The Shortlist
AI isn’t a yes-or-no decision, and it’s not the only marketing trend you need to pay attention to. I spoke to 10 agency owners about what brands should be thinking about in 2026, and the Content Marketing Institute published it.
Measure what counts. LinkedIn released this guidance on the new rules of B2B measurement. Whether your audience is businesses or consumers, the four-step process is smart for any initiative:
Define.
Capture.
Activate.
Measure and maximize.
You have a leg up on big brands. You can “develop an intimate and unique experience” to gain a foothold in competitive markets.” When I read the Shopify piece with that observation, I also chuckled at the comment about spending wisely. Do they really think solo entrepreneurs believe billboards are a better investment than social media ads? But I did like this advice: Limit your social channels to one or two.
Solopreneurs have one of these mindsets. Joe Procopio reacts to the news that the solopreneur industry will hit $1.7 trillion by sharing the two types of solopreneurs: 1. People doing it after a forced or proactive career break, or 2. People doing it to fund their startup idea. I would add a third: People doing it to operate a self-sustaining business. Which one are you? Or do you have a fourth option? Reply to this email to let me know.
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Got a question you’d like me to answer in The Hotline? Email me or DM me on LinkedIn.