What Comes After the Shapes?

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Over the past 12 weeks, we’ve explored the power of visual frameworks together. From circles, triangles, and squares to paths and networks, we’ve seen how simple shapes can explain, clarify, and inspire.

This series was never about design tricks. A well-drawn framework can do more for your product or service than a dozen paragraphs of text. It helps your audience understand quickly, remember clearly, and see themselves inside your story. That’s persuasion at its best.

A shape sampler

My approach to visual frameworks is based on five essential shapes. Each one is easy to draw — even if you believe you have zero artistic ability. And each one gives you new ways to show ideas so they click, stick, and spread.

Circle = wholeness, cycles, completeness

Square = structure, stability, correlation

Triangle = hierarchy, priority, direction

Path = story, journey, transformation

Network = connection, complexity, richness

These are more than drawing tools. They are persuasion tools. Each one can help you present your ideas and offerings more effectively by showing value in a way that words alone cannot.

The bigger point

The real point of this series was never the shapes themselves. It was the way they open doors. Frameworks give your ideas form and make them easier to share. They are assets that support your authority, your message, and your business growth.

And this is only the beginning. Frameworks are stepping stones. Once you start using them, you discover new ways to adapt, combine, and expand them. They are not the final word. They are starting points.

The next path

Next week SOLO will shift into a new format I’m calling Solo Field Notes. Instead of three big questions, you’ll get shorter, more informal observations, tools, and experiments from my own work and explorations as a solopreneur.

Think of it as moving from paved roads to dotted trails. Still guiding you forward, but with more space to wander, notice, and try things along the way.

I also want this to feel less like a formal newsletter and more like an ongoing conversation. My hope is that you’ll enjoy the shift as much as I do.

Your thoughts?

Before we move forward, I’d love to know which part of the series stood out most for you. As always, your answers are anonymous and you’ll see how others responded.

For new readers​ If this is your first issue of SOLO, welcome. You’ve arrived at just the right moment. We’ve just wrapped up a 12-week series on visual frameworks (find them in the SOLO archives). Starting next week we’ll move into a new format called Solo Field Notes. Each week I’ll share fresh observations, tools, and experiments to help you stand out and grow as a solopreneur. I’m glad you’re here. Got this from a friend? Subscribe to get future issues.

When you’re ready for more… Here are a few resources from the Solo Business School to help you grow: Try the free Solo Business Canvas to clarify your next steps Check out Content Velocity, my course on creating quality content with AI support Browse the Resource Hub for tools I use and recommend

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Authority By Design is a registered trademark, and Content Velocity and Working Solo are trademarks, of Make International LLC. Issue #078