Make Peace With Annoying People (and Other Secrets to Standing Out)

Perfectionism will keep your best ideas stuck in a Google Doc graveyard.

And “waiting until the universe takes over” — whether it’s launching a campaign, selling tickets, or promoting your book — is just procrastination dressed up as faith.

Because as Laura Belgray says, “The universe is not a book publicist.”

Here’s the truth: visibility takes momentum, obsession, and a willingness to be “that person” — the one who follows up, pitches again, and sends one more email even when it feels like too much.

If that makes you cringe? Congratulations, you’re human. But if you want people to actually see and support your work, it’s time to make peace with annoying people — including the version of you who’s bold enough to ask for the thing you want.

1. Do one thing every day

You don’t need a 40-step launch plan or a perfectly color-coded spreadsheet. You just need to ask one question every morning:

“What’s one thing I can do today to move this forward?”

That might be sending a DM, writing a post, asking for a testimonial, or following up with someone who said “maybe.”

Momentum creates momentum. Most people stop when things get quiet — the magic happens when you keep going.

2. Let people help you

Laura built a “titty committee” — a group of superfans who hyped her book, left reviews, and shared it far and wide.

You can do the same. I call it a social street team. Your most loyal supporters want to help — they just need you to show them how.

The key? Know that only about 25% will actually do what they say they’ll do. Plan for that. Appreciate the ones who go all in. And remember: the ripple effect of a few people shouting about your work can turn into hundreds more paying attention.

3. Flaunt your flaws

We don’t trust people who act like everything’s fine all the time.

Vulnerability has been overdone to death (and often faked), but real honesty — what Laura calls “philosophy” — is magnetic. It’s the difference between “I’m crushing it!” and “I’m tired of pretending I’m crushing it.”

Your audience doesn’t need another polished leader. They need someone who tells the truth and still shows up anyway.

4. Drop the “perfect professional” act

If your content reads like it’s been through four rounds of legal review, people will skim right past it.

Even the most serious missions deserve to be human. Humor and honesty build trust faster than jargon ever will.

People give — and buy, and share — from those they like. So give them something likable: personality, imperfection, and real voice.

5. Obsession beats discipline

You don’t need to be perfectly organized — you need to be obsessed enough to keep talking about your work when everyone else has moved on.

Book launch, campaign launch, year-end appeal — whatever it is, it’s not over when you hit “publish.” Keep showing up. Keep talking about it. Keep finding new ways in.

An object in motion stays in motion.

Final Word

Make peace with being a little annoying.
Make peace with being seen.
Make peace with not having it all figured out.

That’s how your work gets noticed. That’s how movements grow.

And if you’re looking for permission to keep going long after everyone else has stopped talking about it — this is it.