Wow. I was excited to see the response to my last post about positioning blurbs!
Honestly, it’s been the highlight of my week reading through them. Some of you clearly nailed it right out of the gate (impressive), others are wrestling with the classic “I do everything for everyone” trap (been there). There’s quite a range, and that’s exactly what makes this so interesting.
I’m still working through all the submissions, but I wanted to jump in here with some patterns I’m seeing and a few quick wins you can apply whether you submitted or not. Plus, I have some thoughts on why most of us struggle with this whole positioning thing in the first place.
Here are the blurbs
Here are 5 excellent blurbs I'd like to highlight (with names redacted for privacy):
#1
I help founders punch above their weight in fundraising and execution. As a former VC and startup operations leader I work with series A/B startups 12 months pre/post investment round — wrangling, launching, and executing on funding and growth plans to get the money and put it to work.
Amanda's Feedback
What really works: "Punch above their weight" is fun and specific, plus your VC background gives you strong credibility. The 12-month window is smart positioning. You clearly know your sweet spot.
Some tips: Think about how a startup founder would actually describe their needs. Instead of "wrangling and executing", they're looking for someone who can help them nail their pitch, avoid fundraising mistakes, or deploy capital without burning through it. Tell the client what box to put you in. Don't assume they know what to do with you. Fundraising and execution are important but two distinct offerings. As a generalist, you may want to have different blurbs for different audiences.
#2
I help growing companies build AI into how they operate. Most companies see AI's potential but can't figure out how to actually make it work in their business. As Chief of Staff at [Company Name] who led AI integration during 20→500 scaling, I know how to connect people, process, and technology to build systems that get real results. Companies stop thinking about what AI could do and start using it to realize its potential.
Amanda's Feedback
What really works: You've identified a real pain point. Companies see AI's potential but struggle with implementation. Your experience during that growth phase is solid proof, and you're clearly onto something valuable.
What could be improved: You have an interesting niche (AI-Fluent Chief of Staff), run with it. Focus on your concrete angle. Instead of "connect people, process, and technology," tell me you help companies automate their customer onboarding or build AI-powered sales forecasting.
#3
I'm an ex-founder turned fractional Head of Growth for pre Series A AI companies, building product-led growth engines that scale beyond founder-led sales. I've led growth at all stages from bootstrapped startups to VC-backed companies and Fortune 100s (ex Slack/Salesforce, Best Buy) and know where to apply outsized energy to drive systematic growth from <$2K MRR to $100Ms in ARR.
Amanda's Feedback
What really works: "Ex-founder turned fractional Head of Growth" immediately establishes credibility, and focusing on pre-Series A AI companies is nice and narrow. You're in a hot space with real expertise.
What could be improved If the sentence jumbles in your mouth, you've lost the reader. I do this all the time. Don't worry. Break up those long sentences and resist the urge to prove everything at once. Your core positioning is already strong.
#4
I’m [Name]. After leading HR at high-growth companies like Headspace, Elemy, and F45, I launched [Company Name] to bring that same hands-on, scale-ready approach to startups. I work with founders who are growing fast and buried in people problems. Onboarding is a mess, comp is all over the place, and managers are winging it. I step in as a fractional Head of People to clean it up, build what’s missing, and help the company grow without falling apart.
Amanda's Feedback
What really works: This is the strongest blurb of the bunch. You paint a vivid, relatable picture of startup chaos, then position yourself as the solution. The problem description ("onboarding is a mess, comp is all over the place") makes founders nod their heads.
What could be improved: Honestly, not much. Maybe tighten up that last sentence, but you nailed the positioning.
#5
[Name] is a fractional strategist and executive coach passionate about helping companies thrive at the intersection of profits and purpose. She works with first-hires to Series A+ startups to help them build strong systems, and cohesive teams. By working together, this talent stays longer and the company's heart stays intact.
Amanda's Feedback
What really works: You're addressing an important tension that many growing companies face, and the range from early hires to Series A shows you understand different growth stages. There's real wisdom here.
What could be improved: Here are some questions to think about to make your blurb more concrete. Profits and purpose sounds like you're interested in mission-driven companies. Is that your focus? Do you focus on culture? If so, say that. Are you offering coaching or consulting or something else? From first hires to Series A, where do you specialize? Narrowing down and avoiding broad terms like "fractional strategist" would help people understand exactly what you do.
If any of these sound like someone you'd want to hire, let me know. I'd be happy to make the introduction!
Join me: Lightning Lesson on August 6 – NEXT WEEK!
And speaking of positioning…
I’m hosting a free Maven Lightning Lesson on August 6th, 2025 (9:30 AM Pacific) called “Position Your Expertise for Consulting in the AI Era” where we’ll dig into:
Mapping your expertise to find your actual consulting sweet spot (not the one you think sounds impressive)
Crafting positioning that highlights what AI can’t do—your judgment, taste, and ability to read the room
Getting clarity on whether this path actually fits your life (spoiler: it’s not for everyone)
Looking forward to seeing you there!
<3
Amanda