6 unconventional writing rules that make you stand out

I’m guilty.

When I edit people’s writing, I talk a lot about writing rules - cutting, shortening, improving readability, bla bla bla…

Those rules are important, but they are secondary.

What’s more important is to show you in your writing.

If you can’t show yourself in your writing, you won’t grow a brand.

And that’s not an easy task (if you don’t know how).

Most creators ignore the work nobody wants to do. As a result, they drown in the crowd without influence, growth, and clients.

So today we talk about writing rules that guarantee you to stand out from the masses.

Let’s dive in.

#1 Reflect on the right questions

Why do most creators not stand out?

The primary reason is that we think we know ourselves, but we don’t.

Let me explain.

Our minds are full of other people’s thoughts, past experiences, and borrowed opinions.
To build a brand, you have to learn how to think for yourself:

• What do I believe in?

• What mistakes have shaped me the most?

• What common “rules” do I think are wrong?

• What risks have I taken that changed everything?

• What have I experienced that most people haven’t?

• What do I wish someone had told me 10 years ago?

• What do I see in my industry that nobody talks about?

• What thoughts do I hold that most people never say out loud?

Reflect on these questions and voila - you have a personal brand 🙂 

Unfortunately, this isn’t easy; most people skip it, and it’s hard to teach.

But it’s necessary.

Deep reflection on those questions gives you depth in your writing, unique storytelling that nobody can copy, and guarantees to hook the interest of the reader.

So what makes creators stand out?

Self-awareness.

The more self-aware you are, the more original your brand becomes.

People follow those who bring them new ways of thinking.

That doesn’t come from repeating “The Power of Now” (sorry Eckhart)

It comes from:

• Reading books nobody else reads

• Putting yourself in situations others avoid

• Reflecting deeply on your own experiences

That’s why journaling and self-reflection are non-negotiable. They are the doorway to finding the thoughts that are truly yours.

#2 Use a simple writing format that works

Once you reflect on the right questions, live an interesting life, and consume information other people usually wouldn’t… now you can go to the next step (so you should probably ignore this section haha…including me…Let’s all ignore this part and go back to reflection, it’s never enough 😄)

But if you think you did enough reflection (which we never did, but it’s okay, I’m guilty too 🙂 )

Put your thoughts into a format that works. One of my favorite post formats is:

“I did this and I believe”

It’s to pair your credibility/experience with a belief.

• “I studied Psychology and I believe…”

• “I’m a hiring manager and I believe…”

• “I’m a father of 2 girls and I believe…”

• “I’ve treated 10,000 patients, and I believe…”

• “I’ve run marathons on 5 continents, and I believe…”

• “I’ve worked in corporate for 20 years, and I believe…”

• “I’ve been on antidepressants for 3 years and I believe”

• “I’ve been in an abusive relationship for 5 years, and I believe”

As you can see, it works in every niche - if the belief is unique and true to you, it will resonate.

#3 Focus on honesty, not controversy

Being controversial for the sake of it is fake. But being honest will naturally bring some controversy.

Honesty leads to occasional controversy - this cannot be avoided.

When you speak your truth, the right people rally around you. The wrong people leave. Both outcomes are good. 🙂 

You need to understand:

You can’t build a personal brand without repelling someone. If everyone agrees with you, you’re saying nothing.

#4 Turn short form into long form

Maybe not so unconventional, but I thought it was important to mention here.

Sometimes a one-line post will explode:

Don’t let it die there.

If a short form does well, expand it into a long-form piece:

• Keep the opening line the same

• Build on it with stories, examples, and your reasoning

• Use it to go deeper into your belief

This way, your beliefs can be tested in a one-liner and expanded on later.

#5 Find new angles

Another way to stand out:

Take a common idea in your niche and look at it differently.

• Challenge a popular belief

• Teach the one exception to a rule

• Share why a “rule” doesn’t work for you

• Offer an alternative that comes from your real-world experience

This is where your journaling pays off; you’ll catch thoughts you’ve never seen written down before. Those are gold.

Examples:

#6 “I’ve never thought about it like that before”

If you want more authentic posts, you have to catch them when they’re fresh.

Don’t wait until you sit down to write and say, “Okay, I need to post something.” That’s when you get generic.

Instead, build a habit of collecting your ideas. When you have an aha moment, write it down.

This means:

• When something makes you pause and think, “Wow, I’ve never seen it that way before.”

• When you see something that sparks a strong reaction—good or bad.

• When someone does something you admire and you think, “That’s smart. I love that.”

• When you learn something new that shifts your perspective.

Your emotions are your radar.

If you feel inspired, curious, angry, moved, or even uncomfortable - capture it.

Keep a running note on your phone. Use a voice memo if it’s easier. Write it on a napkin if you have to. The point is:

Don’t lose it.

These little moments are seeds for powerful content. They come from living your life with awareness.

Gandhi said, “My life is my message.”

If you want to be a writer, live in a way that gives you something worth saying.

That’s it from me for today 🙂 

These 6 tips are not the usual writing tips that promise you quick virality. Rather, it’s an attempt to show you, great writing requires great reflection.

Hope it helps.

And if you have any questions regarding those rules or anything related to writing, I’m here. Just respond to this email and I'll get back to you (I read every message).

With love,

Heythem

P.S. Sameera added 7,000 followers in under 3 months inside Full Circle⭕. If you want the same results, join now for a 7-day free trial here.