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Solo Field Notes, a newsletter to help solopreneurs stand out

Mixed Signals Eroding Your Authority?

Published about 2 months ago • 2 min read

SOLO is your weekly design and visibility lab — part of the Solo Business School, and dedicated to helping solopreneurs stay small and play big.

Welcome to issue #076, and the many new readers who joined us this week!

Are Mixed Signals Undermining Your Credibility and Authority?

Have you ever looked at a visual and felt something before you understood it? That’s no accident.

Shapes, lines, arrows, and colors speak their own language, instantly and subconsciously. Before your audience reads a word, these elements are already shaping someone’s first impression of you and your work.

Every visual you share sends a message, whether you mean to or not.

A QUESTION I'VE BEEN ASKED

How do I stop my visuals from sending mixed signals?

Before pen hits paper (or cursor hits screen), remember: your visuals have a personality, and they shape how people judge your expertise.

The following silent signals can strengthen your authority, or quietly erode it.

  • Shapes carry values.​
    A circle suggests unity, a triangle signals hierarchy, a square telegraphs stability. The wrong shape can make you seem out of sync with your message.
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  • Design cues set tone.​
    Arrows imply movement or causality. Size and placement signal importance. Get it wrong and your visual can look sloppy or misleading.
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  • Style changes meaning.​
    A network diagram can look like an elegant interconnection, or a tangled mess. That difference can boost your authority or make you seem disorganized.
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  • Typography signals professionalism.​
    Fonts, and how consistently you use them. shape how polished and trustworthy your framework appears. Inconsistent typography can quietly chip away at credibility.
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  • Language matters.​
    Labels, headings, and naming reinforce (or undermine) your authority as an expert. Sloppy or vague language can erode trust faster than you think.
Each of these choices, from shapes to typography, is a cue your audience uses to decide whether to trust your expertise.

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A QUESTION TO REFLECT ON

Is your visual saying what you mean?

Once you know what your shapes, arrows, and labels might be saying, pause to make sure they’re saying what you want.

Reflection question: What first impression should your visual leave? Does it reinforce your credibility and authority, or undermine them?

Your turn: I’d love to hear your thoughts. Click reply and tell me what first impression you want your visuals to leave. (And yes, I read and respond to reader email. 🙂)

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A QUESTION TO CONSIDER TOGETHER

What’s your visual priority?

This is a fun part of each newsletter, where we see how your thinking aligns with other readers. Your answer is anonymous, and you’ll see the results right after you respond.

When tradeoffs force a choice, one quality will matter most. That bias becomes your North Star. I’m curious what that is for you.

Last week’s poll results: Readers shared that they’re most likely to create their next visual framework for a course or e-book, followed by using them in client presentations and websites.

Your visuals aren’t just organizing ideas, they’re shaping how people judge your expertise. Make sure they build the authority you want, on purpose.

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Quick Links

When you’re ready to explore further...

🔵 Download the Solo Business Canvas, a free visual tool to map your one-person business.
🔵 Learn to create quality content with AI as your personal assistant.
🔵 Browse the free solo resources of handpicked tools and resources I actually use.
🔵 Send me an email to book a 1:1 Coaching Session or ask a question
🔵 Explore the archives of past issues​

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Until next week: Stay small and Play big!

Terri Lonier, PhD

Founder, Solo Business School

Want to send a question or comment? Please do — I read my email.

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Authority By Design is a registered trademark, and Content Velocity and Working Solo are trademarks, of Make International LLC.

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Solo Field Notes, a newsletter to help solopreneurs stand out

Terri Lonier

Solo Field Notes is your weekly design and visibility lab — part of the Solo Business School, and dedicated to helping solopreneurs stand out with smart systems, sharp visuals, and AI that unlocks your edge. Each week, you get fresh ideas to help you stay small and play big.

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