In my work with artists, there’s one thing I’ve come across repeatedly. There is a resistance to “messaging”.
It’s not that they have nothing to say. It’s more about the the fact the work itself already carries meaning. The making is the message. There’s a reasonable hope that if the work is honest and strong enough, it should speak for itself.
And sometimes, it does.
But when it comes to being visible, understood, funded, or supported, clarity starts to matter just as much as craft.
When momentum comes before message
In the familiar pressure at the start of a new year to move quickly, it’s easy to move into action mode. To plan, launch, post, apply, promote, so you can generate momentum.
But momentum without a clear message often comes at a cost. Without clarity, people tend to:
- say yes to opportunities that don’t quite fit
- create more than they can sustain
- feel busy, but oddly unanchored
The result is often noise rather than connection, or activity without direction, and for creative people, that kind of momentum can be especially draining. It asks you to keep producing without first giving you a stable place to stand.
Message is translation
When I talk about “message,” I’m not really talking about slogans or sales copy.
I’m talking about language that helps others understand:
- what you care about
- why your work matters, and
- who it’s really for.
A clear message acts as a bridge between your inner world and the people you want to reach.
It allows your work to be met, not just seen.
This is where that spark of human connection begins. When we find ways to to authentically connect with our people through our messaging, we’re doing it through being understood, rather than for the sake visibility through volume.
Message creates connection
People don’t connect to everything. They connect to what feels meaningful to them.
That’s why having a clear message:
- gives people a way in
- helps them recognise themselves in your work, and
- turns attention into relationship.
This matters whether you’re:
- applying for funding
- growing an audience, or
- inviting people into your work in any form.
Without clear language, even the most powerful work can remain opaque. With it, your work has a chance to land where it’s needed.
Message creates external and internal direction
This is the part that’s often overlooked, because when your message is clear, it doesn’t just help other people understand you, it helps you make decisions.
This clarity gives you:
- a filter for what to say yes (and no) to
- a throughline for what you share publicly, and
- a steadier sense of what you’re actually working toward.
Planning becomes lighter because you’re not starting from scratch each time. Instead, you’re responding from a place of alignment. In this way, your core message becomes a form of internal support; a north star to guide you.
Why starting with message puts you in a stronger position
When you begin with message, you:
- reduce wasted effort
- conserve creative energy, and
- create momentum that’s actually sustainable.
Instead of pushing forward and hoping things align later, you start from a place of intention. That doesn’t mean you need everything figured out, but it does mean you have enough clarity to move without forcing.
Why this matters now
After a year that has stretched many people beyond capacity, pushing harder isn’t always the answer. In a world of uber productivity and AI efficiency, the creative act is almost a form of resistance.
But, for a lot of creatives, it’s not about stopping altogether. It’s the desire is to move forward in a way that feels steadier, more humane, more true. Starting with message is a way of honouring that desire.
It allows you to:
- take small, intentional steps
- reconnect with what matters, and
- move forward without urgency.
In short, it’s about beginning from a stronger place, before moving forward with confidence.
Message before momentum
This is the thinking behind Message Before Momentum, a low-lift planning and messaging session I’m hosting on 28 January 2026 at 2pm EST.
It’s designed as a quiet space to pause, clarify values, and shape language that supports both connection and direction.
If you want to begin with intention in 2026, reserve your spot for Message Before Momentum