10 Lessons From Atomicon That Changed How I Think About Branding, Marketing & Showing Up

I went to Atomicon 2025 thinking I’d pick up a few clever tips on content and conversion. What I didn’t expect was a full-on shift in how I think about showing up, for my clients, my business and even myself.

Some sessions gave me clarity. Some challenged how I’ve been doing things. Some confirmed everything I already know as a strategist - but hit deeper this time.

I walked away with mega amounts of notes, loadsss of catchy quotes, new ideas and a fire in my belly that hasn’t quite gone out yet.

So instead of hoarding all that energy, I’m passing it on.

Here are 10 real things that shifted how I think about showing up, selling and building a business that actually works. For me and for you.

1. Marketing = Getting Strangers to Give You Money

– Ryan Deiss

The most no-nonsense definition of marketing I’ve ever heard, it was the reminder I needed and I know you probably do too - it snapped me back into focus.

We talk about funnels and content and engagement and “warming people up.” but none of that has ever really landed right for me - businesses have been running for years and years without all of this and although I know times have changed and some of it is needed the focus isn't quite as heavy as the gurus would make you think. Ryan broke it down:

Marketing is getting strangers to give you money.

Clean. Clear. Consise. Marketing is less of a funnel and more of a popcorn popper - this was my YES moment. This is why none of the other stuff has ever landed properly with me...because everyone buys at different rates and some may never buy!

From my expert eye - branding is what gets those strangers to trust you in the first place.

Branding is the vehicle. Marketing is what it drives. If your marketing isn’t getting traction? Check the vehicle. If your brand isn’t clear, strategic and consistent - your marketing is running on fumes.

→ Now ask yourself: Is my branding strong enough to make strangers buy from me?

2. The Sale Is Just the Start

Yes, yes, YES.

You can have the strongest brand identity, the smoothest sales page, the most gorgeous website… but if your client experience is shocking? That’s what they’ll remember. And that’s what they’ll share.

Your brand isn’t created to just look pretty and get people to say yes to the thing that you do (although it does need to do both of those things!) - it’s what makes them say yes again. Referrals. Reputation. Repeat business. All built off the back of what happens before AND after the invoice is paid.

→ What this means: Your brand experience doesn’t end at checkout. It’s just getting started. Think about your onboarding, offboarding, follow up - every single touchpoint you have with your clients and then some.

3. You don't need to be the loudest, but you do need to show up.

There was a strong message across every single talk at Atomicon, but these came from the brilliant Robin Waite:

👉 Sit at the front.

👉 Pay to play.

👉 Speak up.

👉 Be in the room.

👉 Always work on building trust and being true to you.

I get it - if you’re introverted like me, that can feel like a lot. But if you didn’t want to be visible, you didn't think you could help people with your service - you wouldn’t be running a business.

Here’s the reframe that I took away in accordance with what I do:

A strong brand strategy does the heavy lifting when it comes to this. It gives you the words, the tone, the visuals. So you’re not trying to “be more confident” - you’re just showing up as yourself, it all feels easier, you feel more confident, its like a permission slip - it's backed by strategy.

→ Don’t hide behind “I’m not good at marketing.” Build a brand that does the talking for you - one that is not exhausting - one that allow you to be you.

4. Connection Beats Content. Every. Single. Time.

– Laura Belgray

Laura came in hot with this one: stop obsessing over delivering value in every single thing you post. Instead, make people feel something.

→ Make them laugh.

→ Make them feel seen.

→ Tell a story they’ll never forget.

→ Make them say “oh my god, it’s like you’re in my head.”

That’s how you build a brand that’s magnetic and memorable - not just “valuable.”

Your audience isn’t looking for more information that they have to puzzle together themselves. They’re looking for connection and understanding. We need to be making them say "OMG it's like you're inside my head".

→ Strategic branding = knowing what to say, how to say it and who actually needs to hear it.

5. Tell People What to Do. Repeatedly.

– Ryan Deiss again, being iconic

Another quick-win tip I’m already implementing: Every. Single. Email. Should have a clear next step.

Marketing email? Booking link. Client email? Here’s how to work with me. Friendly reply? Still an opportunity to lead someone somewhere helpful.

Because people don’t take action unless you tell them what to do and tell them often.

→ It is something I say over and over again but often forget myself - branding is all about repetition. You don't need to keep changing you offer or changing your message - or changing your business structure. You just need to keep telling people who you are and what you do.

6. If Your Business Only Works Because You Do - It’s Not Scalable

– Rachel Harris, Accountant She

This one’s for my ambitious clients:

If the experience changes depending on whether you personally show up or not - you haven’t built a business. You’ve built a bottleneck.

This is why I focus on repeatable brand experiences - the kind where every client gets the same clarity, communication and magic, whether it’s their first time working with you or your tenth year in business.

→ Want referrals? Get consistent. Want to scale? Build systems.

7. You Can’t Brand Your Way Out of a Broken Experience

Yes, I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it. Over and over again.

If your client journey is chaotic…If your delivery is inconsistent…If your communication is all over the place…

No logo, colour palette, or website template is going to save it.

Your branding should match your level of service. If your service is exceptional, your brand should be too. If your brand is slick but your onboarding is a nightmare for you and your client? People will feel the disconnect, even if they can’t name it.

→ Branding and delivery go hand-in-hand. One without the other just creates friction.

8. Strong Brands Know Exactly Who They’re Talking To

Let’s talk about Atomicon itself - as a brand - for a sec. Pink pineapples. Glitter cannons. Balloons. Big energy. Big personalities. And 2000 small business owners who didn’t need convincing - because they already got it.

You know why?

Because every inch of that event - from the speakers to the marketing - was built for people like us.

That’s the power of brand clarity.

• They knew who they were talking to.

• They knew how to speak to them.

• They built an environment where people could show up fully as themselves.

And that’s exactly what I help my clients do.

Because branding isn’t just about what looks good - it’s about creating something that feels like home for the right people. It's a "hell yes" this person is for me moment for the client - which is what we all want as business owners essentially isn't it?

→ Be brave enough to stand out. Be clear enough to call people in.

9. You Can Want More - Without Rushing to Get It

I left this year’s event with fire in my belly to do all the things - but also clarity on my direction. I want to grow. I want to be seen. I want to do more. But I also want space. I want alignment. I want my business to keep working for my life. And guess what? That’s allowed.

I’m not rushing toward “the next thing.” I’m building a brand that gives me options. So when I’m ready for more - my audience already knows me, trusts me and wants in on the more too.

→ You don’t need to scale at full speed. You just need to stay aligned to your vision and values.

10. I’ve Built a Business That Finally Feels Like Mine

Last year, I went to Atomicon overwhelmed - couldn't put down my phone, felt mithered. Left Atomicon overwhelmed, straight back into work that night. This year? I left 100% energised.

Not because everything’s perfect. But because I’ve built something that gives me clarity, space, and confidence to take action.

But let me tell you the part that really hit...

I didn’t leave inspired just because of the speakers.

I left inspired because of the people I was sat next to.

Before the event, I created a little WhatsApp group. Just a few online biz pals I thought should connect. Fast forward to the day actual and we’d built something even bigger, real connection. Support. Familiar faces, creating a safe space for everyone involved in a sea of 2000 people.

People I’ve worked with, got to know and built this business with, cheered each other on, voice-noted, and laughed together.

I travelled from Warrington to Newcastle with Kayleigh - my brand photographer turned real-life friend I met on the internet. We met up with Katie - my business consultant - again, turned real life- human friend. Kayleigh and Katie finally met in person rather than just over zoom. It felt full circle.

Then there was Jen, a fellow brand designer that I chat with weekly. Nic, a friend that I have had for over 15 years - we went to school together and Atomicon brought us back together. Alex, we have moved in the same online circles for a while and I got my hands on her branding last year. Jenna, a gorgeous soul who I met through Kayleigh. Jess, yet another brand designer in my circle and probably my closest "competition" within the circles we move in. But I honestly DO NOT believe in competition - give me a community of like minded go getting women any day, you do what I do? GREAT - Lets swap tips and even clients. Women who run their businesses with purpose and heart. Women I’m genuinely proud to know.

That’s what I left Atomicon with. Gratitude for the business I’ve built and the people it’s brought into my world.

Thinking of Going to Atomicon? Go.

If you want connection, clarity and content that hits harder than “post three times a week and hope for the best - Atomicon delivers that .And if you want a room full of people who actually get it? This is it. Honestly, even if you are curious and you're introverted like me - life only happens one step outside your comfort zone, do it once. You might just enjoy it.

[Here’s my affiliate link for 2026 – I’ll be there, on the front row, asking for selfies with the speakers!]

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