Most people think building a brand means posting more, showing up louder, or chasing attention.
In reality, strong brands are built the same way strong bodies are built:
with structure, consistency, and a clear point of view.
One of the most useful frameworks for thinking about brand-building is outlined in Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley. The book breaks influence down into five clear components — the Five Ps — that explain how people become known, trusted, and sought out for something specific.
What makes this framework especially relevant for 2026 is that it focuses on clarity over noise. In a world flooded with content, AI-generated posts, and constant self-promotion, the brands that last will be the ones built intentionally.
First, What “Brand” Actually Means
Before getting into the Five Ps, it helps to define brand properly.
A brand is not:
- a logo
- an aesthetic
- a follower count
A brand is a signal.
It’s what people associate with you.
It’s what problem they trust you to solve.
It’s how they describe you when you’re not in the room.
Just like fitness, brand isn’t about one big moment — it’s about the cumulative effect of repeated, aligned actions over time.
The Five Ps of Key Person of Influence
Think of the Five Ps as a training plan for your brand. Each element builds on the others.
1. Pitch: Clarify Your Point of View
Your pitch is not your job title or your bio.
It’s your point of view, clearly articulated:
- Who is this for?
- What problem do you help solve?
- Why does your approach matter?
A strong pitch filters your audience. It attracts the right people and repels the wrong ones — which is a good thing.
How to apply this in 2026
Write one sentence that explains your brand clearly:
I help [specific group] do [specific outcome] by focusing on [your distinctive approach].
If it feels too narrow, it’s probably getting closer to the truth.
2. Publish: Make Your Thinking Visible
Publishing isn’t about becoming an influencer.
It’s about making your thinking visible so people can understand how you see problems.
This can include:
- blogs
- newsletters
- short posts
- frameworks
- practical breakdowns
The goal isn’t volume. The goal is consistency and coherence.
In fitness terms, publishing is like tracking workouts. You don’t guess your progress — you document it.
How to apply this in 2026
- Choose one platform your audience already uses
- Publish one clear idea regularly
- Focus on explaining, not impressing
Over time, people begin to associate you with clarity in a specific area.
3. Product: Package Your Ideas
At some point, ideas need structure.
A product doesn’t have to be a big launch. It can be:
- a guide
- a checklist
- a framework
- a short program
- a repeatable method
Products turn your thinking into something people can use without you being present every time.
This is where a brand becomes portable.
How to apply this in 2026
Ask yourself:
If someone wanted to apply my ideas on their own, what would I give them?
That answer is the beginning of a product.
4. Profile: Be Findable and Coherent
Your profile is the public expression of your brand.
When someone lands on your page, they should be able to tell quickly:
- what you care about
- what you’re known for
- who your work is for
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be consistent where it counts.
How to apply this in 2026
Audit your online presence:
- Does your bio match your content?
- Does your content reflect your pitch?
- Does everything feel aligned?
Your profile should confirm what people already suspect about you — not confuse them.
5. Partnerships: Let the Brand Expand Through Proximity
Brands don’t grow in isolation.
The people you collaborate with, appear alongside, and engage with shape how your brand is perceived.
Partnerships don’t need to be formal. They can be:
- shared conversations
- guest appearances
- aligned communities
- collaborative projects
In fitness, environment shapes behavior.
In branding, proximity shapes perception.
How to apply this in 2026
Be intentional about who you build alongside. Alignment compounds.
Why This Framework Matters More Than Ever
As we move into 2026:
- attention is fragmented
- content is abundant
- credibility is harder to assess
The brands that stand out won’t be the loudest.
They’ll be the clearest.
The Five Ps don’t create hype. They create trust — and trust compounds over time.
A DAOFitLife Note
DAOFitLife was built using this framework — not as a marketing strategy, but as a way of staying consistent and grounded while growing something real.
The lesson isn’t to copy any one brand.
It’s to be intentional about the signal you’re sending.
Your brand is already forming.
The question is whether you’re training it — or leaving it to chance.
A Simple Starting Point
If you do nothing else:
- clarify your pitch
- publish one clear idea
- package one useful framework
- align your profile
- choose your proximity wisely
That’s enough to begin.
Just say the word.
