Is Your Message Polarizing Enough?

As a recovering people pleaser, eldest daughter, and natural diplomat, it’s not in my nature to be too polarizing. Walking the middle line was my default for a long time. So to be an effective copywriter and messaging strategist, I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone (much easier to do when writing other people’s copy than for myself). 

And that’s because safe messaging is forgettable. And forgettable messaging doesn’t sell.

If your words don’t make someone lean in or make someone else walk away, you’re not standing out enough. Your people can’t find you if you’re blending in with the noise. And let’s be real—do you really want to attract clients who need to be convinced you’re the right fit? Or do you want people who see your message and think, Damn, this is my person?


If you’re not repelling, you’re not attracting


The best brands, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs aren’t for everyone—and that’s exactly why they’re successful. They draw a line in the sand, plant their flag, and say, this is who we are and what we believe. The right people? They flock. The wrong ones? They self-select out. And that’s a good thing.


Polarizing messaging is NOT about being controversial for clicks. It’s about having a clear opinion and perspective—one that makes your ideal clients know, without a doubt, that you’re speaking directly to them.


And it’s about taking a stance.


So, are you playing it too safe?


If your messaging is lukewarm, it’s time to turn up the heat. Ask yourself:

🔥 Are you saying what you really think—or what feels “acceptable”?
🔥 Are you speaking to everyone instead of calling in your people?
🔥 Can your audience instantly tell what you stand for?


How to Make Your Messaging More Impactful
🎈 Own your stance. What do you believe? What do you not stand for? Say it with your chest.
🎈 Ditch the fluff. No corporate jargon, no trying to please everyone. Say it straight.
🎈 Be willing to repel. If your message doesn’t turn some people off, it’s not strong enough.
🎈 Lead like you mean it. Wishy-washy doesn’t convert. Confidence does.

Your job isn’t to convince the masses. Your job is to speak so clearly that your right people recognize you immediately. And that? That’s how you build a brand that’s unforgettable.

So tell me—are you polarizing enough? Or are you still playing it safe?

Stay curious,
🎈Justine

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Red Balloon Station is a creative hub for storytelling and brand messaging services that help BIPOC + women-owned businesses and creatives use the power of their words and storytelling to better strategically and meaningfully connect with their target audience so that together we can all have a more positive impact on people, planet, and culture.


Justine Wentzell-Chang is an Eldest Daughter of Immigrants, Mother, Activist, and brand storyteller/copywriter for phenomenal BIPOC + woman-owned businesses and creatives on a mission to change the status quo, create culture change, or save the planet! With a law degree, over a decade of experience writing & making movies that sell globally, an impactful book filling readers with “A Pocket Full of Dreams,” and a handful of songs written for indie films, Justine knows how to tell stories that sell like nobody else's business. And she is here to help you use the power of storytelling to grow your community, turn them into devoted superfans, and click the “yes” button on you.


Justine created Red Balloon Station, because for too long someone else has been inaccurately writing or erasing our BIPOC and women's stories. It’s time to direct our own narratives so that together we can create a culture of empathy, equity, and positivity.