If people can't describe what you do in 6 words, they'll never refer you. They like you. They jus...If people can't describe what you do in 6 words, they'll never refer you. They like you. They jus...
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M Aadil's avatar
M Aadil Ali
• Sep 20
If people can't describe what you do in 6 words,
they'll never refer you.
They like you. They just can't repeat you.
That's a positioning problem, not a talent problem.
 
Here's why the number matters:
 
Referrals happen inside a 10-second gap in someone else's conversation.
"Do you know anyone who...?"
 
Whoever comes to mind in that gap gets the work.
Usually that's the person with the simplest sentence attached to their name.
 
Not the best portfolio in the city.
So try it right now.
Say what you do out loud. Count the words.
If you needed 20, cut with these 3 rules:
 
1. Name the person, not the industry
"I work with brands" becomes "I write for dental clinics"
2. Name the outcome they'd brag about
Skip your process. Keep the result they'd repeat to a friend.
3. Delete every word that could describe 400 other people
Strategic. Data-driven. Storytelling. Solutions. Nobody passes those along.
 
The template:
I help [who] [get specific outcome].
Six words. Boring on purpose.
 
"I help dentists fill empty Tuesdays."
"I write SEO pages that rank."
 
(Six words is brutal. That's the point.)
If you can't compress it, nobody else can either.
Impressive sentences get compliments. Repeatable ones get referrals.
 
What are your 6 words?
Drop them below and I'll tell you which one to cut.
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Jose's avatar
Jose Luis
• Sep 20
This is such a real distinction. Being memorable beats being “impressive” when referrals are the goal.
Jose's avatar
Jose Luis
• Sep 20
That 10-second gap example hits hard 👀 If people can’t repeat what you do, they can’t refer you.
Bayejid's avatar
Bayejid Hawlader
• Sep 20
Okay this explains SO many positioning problems 😂 People can like your work and still have no clue how to introduce you.
Bayejid's avatar
Bayejid Hawlader
• Sep 20
“Repeatable beats impressive” is the real takeaway here. 🔥 Simple positioning is underrated.
Sobia's avatar
Sobia Aslam
• Sep 20
That 6-word challenge is actually brutal 😭 But honestly, it forces you to get ridiculously clear.
Sobia's avatar
Sobia Aslam
• Sep 20
The “delete words that describe 400 other people” rule >>> Generic expertise doesn’t stick.
Shagufta's avatar
Shagufta Naaz
• Sep 20
This is why being “good at many things” can hurt your positioning. People need something specific to remember you for.
Shagufta's avatar
Shagufta Naaz
• Sep 20
The referral conversation example makes this click instantly. 👀 You get remembered when your value is easy to explain.
007's avatar
007 Gamer
• Sep 20
Oof, “They like you. They just can’t repeat you.” 😮‍💨 That line explains a LOT.
007's avatar
007 Gamer
• Sep 20
The simpler the sentence, the easier the referral. No fancy words needed.
Larry's avatar
Larry Brin
• Sep 20
This is such a good test for anyone building a personal brand. Say it out loud and see if you actually sound clear.
Larry's avatar
Larry Brin
• Sep 20
And deleting generic words is harder than adding impressive ones 😂 But that’s exactly where the clarity comes from.
Mr's avatar
Mr Beast
• Sep 20
The “who + outcome” framework is so simple yet so effective. 🔥 Specificity really does the heavy lifting.
Mr's avatar
Mr Beast
• Sep 20
People don’t remember your process. They remember the result they can tell someone else about.
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