Un-Gatekeeping w/ Abbey Page

Summary

Title: Slay The Gatekeeper
Episode: Un-Gatekeeping w/ Abbey Page
Host: Courtney Johnson
Guest: Abbey Page, Personal Style Strategist for Single Men
Release Date: August 12, 2025

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Introduction to Abbey Page

In the episode "Un-Gatekeeping w/ Abbey Page," Courtney Johnson welcomes Abbey Page, a personal style strategist dedicated to helping single men enhance their fashion sense. Abbey shares her journey from being a VIP client of Courtney’s to launching her own offering focused on reducing the overwhelm men face when it comes to fashion and personal style.

Understanding the Fashion Challenges for Men

Abbey delves into the primary reasons why men often struggle with dressing well:

• Overwhelm from Choices: The vast array of brands and fashion information can be daunting. Abbey notes, “Men just kind of don’t think about style maybe as much as females have” ([00:28]).

• Societal Misconceptions: There's a prevalent misconception that being well-dressed is linked to being gay, which deters many men from investing effort into their appearance. “They kind of connotate that with, like, if you're well dressed, that means you're gay. And that's not definitely not the case” ([02:50]).

• Impact of the Pandemic: The lockdowns led to a reliance on athleisure and a neglect of personal appearance. “Maybe that's why things evolved and we, like, kind of stopped taking our appearance seriously” ([04:15]).

The Importance of a Strategic Approach to Style

Abbey emphasizes that men don’t need to spend exorbitantly to look good. Instead, a strategic approach can make a significant difference:

• Customized Style Formulas: Abbey uses a “less is more” philosophy, helping clients build a cohesive wardrobe that aligns with their personal style goals. “You don’t need to be dressed out, dressed in Gucci and Louis Vuitton… You just need a strategy” ([02:44]).

• Building Confidence: By developing a tailored style guide, men can feel more confident and self-assured in their appearance, which translates into various aspects of their lives.

Cheat Codes for Enhancing Personal Style

Abbey shares several actionable cheat codes designed to help single men elevate their style and confidence:

1. Let Your Outfit Do the Talking for You ([07:14])

• Self-Expression Through Clothing: Use unique elements like hats, funky rings, or colorful shoes as conversation starters. “Let your clothes be your wingman” ([07:14]).

• Low-Effort Icebreakers: These stylistic choices provide natural opportunities for others to initiate conversations, especially beneficial for shy individuals.

2. Effort Is Hot—Maybe Because It's Rare ([10:10])

• Stand Out by Putting in Effort: Putting effort into one’s appearance is attractive precisely because it's not commonplace among men. “Effort is attractive. It's really rare” ([11:03]).

• Avoiding the “Austin Uniform”: Abbey criticizes the uniformity of men’s fashion in certain locales, urging men to break away from overly casual or uninspired styles.

3. Being Well-Dressed Improves Your Mental Health and Confidence ([13:10])

• Psychological Benefits: Dressing well can significantly boost one's mental health and confidence. “When you put effort into my appearance, my mental health is better that day” ([13:18]).

• Enclosed Cognition: This concept explains how our attire influences our feelings and behaviors, encouraging men to dress in a way that positively impacts their day.

4. Stop Buying Roses on Hinge and Invest in Your Wardrobe Instead ([18:37])

• Prioritizing Wardrobe Over Superficial Gestures: Investing in quality clothing has a more substantial and lasting impact than temporary gestures like buying roses on dating apps.

• Quality Over Quantity: Abbey advises focusing on natural fibers and durable materials, suggesting brands like Buck Mason and platforms like Huckberry for quality pieces without breaking the bank.

5. You Don't Need to Learn Fashion, Be Gay, or Spend a Ton of Money on Clothes. You Just Need a Strategy ([22:51])

• Customized Style Strategies: Developing a personalized style strategy involves defining style keywords, conducting a wardrobe audit, and creating outfit formulas that reflect one’s personal brand.

• Color Palette Sessions: Understanding which colors complement one's natural features can elevate overall appearance and coherence in styling.

Building Community and Creating Content

Abbey offers insights into leveraging social platforms to build a community and enhance personal branding:

• Utilizing Threads for Community Building: Regular engagement and sharing style tips on platforms like Threads can foster genuine connections and a supportive community.

• Content Creation Tips:

  • Ask Your Audience Questions: Engaging the audience with questions can boost interaction and foster a sense of community. “Ask your audience a question” ([32:14]).
  • Consistency Over Perfection: Focus on consistent content creation rather than striving for perfection to avoid burnout and maintain momentum.

Conclusion and How to Work with Abbey

The episode concludes with Abbey providing information on how listeners can connect with her for personalized style consultations. She emphasizes the transformative power of strategic personal styling in improving confidence and attracting positive connections.

Notable Quotes

• “Clothes are very powerful communication tool.” – Abbey Page ([05:25])
• “Look good, feel good. Like, it's true. It's cheesy, but it's true.” – Abbey Page ([18:26])
• “If you don't know what to post, ask your audience a question.” – Abbey Page ([32:14])

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This episode of Slay The Gatekeeper provides invaluable insights into how men can overcome fashion-related challenges through strategic styling. Abbey Page’s expertise offers actionable advice for building confidence, enhancing personal branding, and fostering meaningful connections through thoughtful attire.

Transcript

[Abby]

Foreign.

[Courtney Johnson]

Welcome to Slay the Gatekeeper.

I'm your host, Courtney Johnson, and I.

Am here to un. Gatekeep the gatekeep.

Thank you so much for being here.

Enjoy. Abby, welcome. Thank you. I'm so excited to have you here, guys. Abby was one of my VIP clients, and I just love her so much. You launched a really cool offering and. Yeah. Tell me about yourself and what you do. Yeah.

[Abby]

Yeah. I am a personal style strategist for single men. I help make single men hot while dressed. Right swipe. Single men kind of reduce the overwhelm with time spent figuring out fashion and what to wear. Money just, I think with men, it's. It's really overwhelming and like, through conversations I've had with men and like, things I've seen, like in social settings at work, even in, like, the dating pool, I just feel like there's such a need for men's styling. And I like, I said, like, they just kind of don't think about style maybe as much as females have. I don't think they've had as much like, resources or tools to figure that out. I feel like it's like the mom or the girlfriend that's always kind of helping them and, you know, buying them clothes and helping them, like, guide their. Their style journey. And so then I think that leaves men, like, really confused and not really sure how to get started. Yeah, my process is very simple, strategic. I build custom style formulas. So it's. It's very much a less is more approach. Um, I work with as much as I can with the, the current wardrobe and then kind of identify different gaps in the wardrobe and how to make, you know, build a tailored style guide and recommendation guide to make the closet more cohesive and more aligned with their current style goals. So you don't need to be, you know, dressed like you're. You don't need to be dressed out, dressed in Gucci and Louis Vuitton and follow every single fashion trend to be good or well dressed. You just need a strategy. And once you have the strategy, it's so much fun. You can get creative with it, you can get funky with it. And it's such a self care and like, personal self discovery hack and tool that I think a lot of people overlook. They don't really take it seriously, especially men. So, yeah, essentially I'm here to help men become chick magnets and.

[Courtney Johnson]

Make them hot. Why do you think men are, like, so bad at dressing?

[Abby]

I think it's just overwhelm. It's. There's a lot and I think especially because of the. The, like, landscape we live in right now. Tons of over consumption, tons of different brands and marketing things being thrown our way. I think it's just really overwhelming. They don't even want to touch it, or they think it's really expensive, or maybe they don't have the time, or they think it's gay. I think they kind of connotate that with, like, if you're well dressed, that means you're gay. And that's not. Definitely not the case. So I think it's like, an element of a lot of things, but I would say for the most part, from what I hear, it's just, like, overwhelmed. They just don't even know how to get started.

[Courtney Johnson]

It's so interesting because it's like an American culture thing. Like, men from other places dress really well.

[Abby]

Yeah.

[Courtney Johnson]

You know, like, maybe it's, like, the conditioning of, like, athleisure. Like, I don't know, but it's weird.

[Abby]

I was thinking about it. I was like, I think the pandemic really screwed up style for, like, men and women because we were trapped in our houses. We weren't going to work. We weren't putting effort into our appearances. We were just sitting home. And so I'm like, maybe that's why things evolved and we, like, kind of stopped taking our appearance seriously. But, yeah, like, I've seen it's definitely taken way more seriously in other countries and other places. And the US We've just kind of relied on that athleisure look. Yeah.

[Courtney Johnson]

And that doesn't. That doesn't get you swipes.

[Abby]

No, no. It, quite frankly, repels, I mean, the right women. I mean, I think that. I don't know, I. I just see, like, the classic Austin men's uniform of the. The on clouds, the disgusting enclosure, and the chubby tan shorts and then the. The golf polos. Like, it's just the. The uniform and, like, talking to friends and stuff. We're just like. It's not rocket science, you know, like, just a little bit of effort into your appearance goes a long way. It's insane.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah. That's so funny. The Austin men uniform, it's, like, kind of the same everywhere. What. What was, like, an aha moment for me and, like, learning from you and talking to you and, like, I work with a lot of male clients, too. Is, like, a lot of times their appearance, their dress could actually be holding them back from opportunities, holding them back from making more money, holding them back from dating. Like, there is. It is really crazy that that, like, how much opportunity costs there is to not dressing well.

[Abby]

Absolutely. Like, you can be so, like, people don't realize how, how powerful, powerful of a tool, personal style and clothes are. Clothes are very rooted in history and they're, they're used for communicating, Communicating, messaging. Messages and who we are. And it's a, it's a self expression tool. And like, this hat, for example, the amount of compliments and conversations that this hat has started for me is insane. I wore it today strategically and went to the store. I've already had three compliments. One girl literally tracked me down in Target and she was like, she's like, I just told my roommate over there, like, you are absolutely magnetizing. Like, you look incredible. And I'm not even trying to toot my own heart, but like, it's just so powerful. And like, when you figure out your personal style and when you really, like, discover that part of yourself, you become magnetic and it does the communicating for you. You don't even have to go out and network. It comes to you. It's crazy.

[Courtney Johnson]

So, yeah, where is the hat from? Like, drop the link.

[Abby]

I got this in Fredericksburg at the Felt Boutique.

[Courtney Johnson]

Okay. Yeah, these were some good. And then this is Buck Mason dress, right?

[Abby]

It is Buck Mason.

[Courtney Johnson]

I can clock Buck, right? And these are vintage.

[Abby]

These are vintage. Yes. I got these from a guy. He does buy appointment only boots.

[Courtney Johnson]

Is it on south first?

[Abby]

Yes.

[Courtney Johnson]

Okay. Yeah, yeah, Love that guy.

[Abby]

Yes.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, he's got some crazy boots.

[Abby]

Amazing boots.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah. Yeah, love that. Okay, let's dive into some cheat codes. There's some cheat codes for, for single men's style. I think a lot of these relate to women too. But first, cheat code. Let your outfit do the talking for you. Tell me more.

[Abby]

Yeah, so kind of like we were talking before. Clothes are very powerful communication tool. And especially if you're a shy guy or a guy who doesn't know how to communicate very well, like, let your style be your wingman, literally. And it can be as simple as, like, wearing a cool hat with a funky saying or cool rings or, you know, shoes that are a fun color. Like, those elements that you add to your outfit are magnetizing to people. And they are. They give people a reason to start a conversation with you. It's just a low effort icebreaker for people to strike up a conversation. So, yeah, let your clothes do the talking for you, especially if, if you're really shy or you're scared to approach them and like, they truly can do that.

[Courtney Johnson]

So what I'm hearing is if You're a single man. You don't really want to, like, go approach women. Just have. I. There's this book called the Game, and it's a really problematic dating book by this, like, pickup artist that was like, this narcissist that uses, like, NLP and hypnosis. Whatever. It's a really problematic book, but it's extremely effective. Funny enough, I. When I was a cheerleader in high school, I was like, a competitive cheerleader.

[Abby]

It shocks me. You were a cheerleader? Really? Yes. I was too, dude.

[Courtney Johnson]

I was a professional cheerleader.

[Abby]

That's saying.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah. And I was, like, a professional dancer. I was like, my whole lore.

[Abby]

Yeah, you have a lot of lore. I love.

[Courtney Johnson]

I do have a lot of lore. Yeah. Anyways, this is. I gotta do a whole episode about. About that. You do. But, yeah, so I wanted to cheer professionally, and my cheer coach was like, you have to read this book, the Game. And really, it was about personal branding and, like, psychological manipulation. And it really interested me. And I was like, oh, shit, I want to do this for work. I realize now that that was, like, a really dark side. There's a light side of it, and that is using psychology to improve yourself. Whatever. The point is, the biggest takeaway I have from this book was what's called peacocking. And that's exactly what you're describing, is, as a man, if you want to pick up a woman, you have to wear something crazy so they have, like, something like that they can grab onto, meaning, like, why the fuck are you wearing that hat? And here, even if it's. Even if they're tearing you down and being like, come on. Like, those shorts are way too short.

Men.

[Abby]

Like.

[Courtney Johnson]

Like, it is a point of communication.

[Abby]

It totally is. And it's. It's the easiest icebreaker. It's. It's so low effort. Icebreaker. And, yeah, I just. I feel like men, they don't understand that concep. Um. So, yeah, I. That's. That's. I didn't know it was called that. That's really cool. I'm gonna have to go, like, research that and maybe even read that book.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, it's the most problematic book. That and the Art of Seduction, both extremely problematic. They're just, like, very. The. The dark side of psychology. But good to know, because then you won't be manipulated. But I also feel like this would really work for, like, networking events. Like, what comes to mind is, like, south by Southwest, like, shit. Like, something like that. To wear something crazy, like, walking down the street. Like a really crazy Printed coat or something.

[Abby]

Yes. It can be used in dating. It can be used in work events, social events. Like, you can really be strategic with what you wear and how you wear things to, you know, magnetize yourself, to start conversations and going back to, like, the personal branding concept. Your style is your personal brand, and whether you like it or not, people are making impressions about you. I forget the statistic or the saying, but it's like within seven seconds of meeting someone, they're deciding whether they trust you, whether they want to interact with you. And it's like we. We look at people based on aesthetics. Like, it's kind of the name of the game. It happens, you know, it's like human behavior. Yes.

[Courtney Johnson]

All right, our next cheat code. This is good. Effort is hot. Maybe because it's rare. Okay, tell me more. It's so rare.

[Abby]

Like, just being in the dating pool and also chatting with friends. Like, the stories I hear about what men are wearing on dates is insane. Chocos with jeans or.

[Courtney Johnson]

No. Or Choco tan line.

[Abby]

Choco tan line. Yeah. Which, I mean, there's a time and a place.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, it's hot. If you're, like, in college and, like, it's like the lifeguard as a Choco tan line. Yeah, yeah, I was a lifeguard in college. That was, like a marker. You're a lifeguard guard, too, which I guess that's peacocking.

[Abby]

That is. That is peacocking. Yeah. Effort's attractive. It's really rare. And I feel like we, like, it's really easy to spot men that do put effort into. Into their style and into their appearance, because I. I just don't see it happening. Like we were talking about. It's like the Austin uniform. That is what men are wearing on dates. They're wearing the polos. They're wearing the chubby. Not all men, but they're wearing the. The Chubby shorts. And then the. The On Clouds or the Hokas. And it's like, you don't have to be dressing like you're running going down the Runway, but put in a little bit of effort. Wear some clean sneakers. Throw your freaking Hokas in the trash. Please.

[Courtney Johnson]

Except for the run club.

[Abby]

Like, please, like, us women are begging you. Just put in a little bit of effort. It goes such a long way.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, yeah. Do you. What about, like, when you have an athletic date, what should you wear?

[Abby]

I think Hokas or, like, the On Clouds. They can pass, but make sure they're clean. Like, don't. Don't wear your most disgusting beater shoes that you wear. To the club or that are like, your dog chewed, your dog chewed. Or they reek because you don't wear socks with your shoes. Like, just make sure they're clean and, you know, a little bit more put together. If you have a sneaker that does that. Perfect.

[Courtney Johnson]

I love that. Amazing. Okay, our next cheat code. Being well dressed improves your mental health and confidence. It's science. Whoa.

[Abby]

It's literal science.

[Courtney Johnson]

Whoa. Okay, wait, I never heard this. So this is affecting your mental health?

[Abby]

Absolutely.

[Courtney Johnson]

Wow.

[Abby]

I mean, okay, think about when you say you go out to the grocery store and you're just, maybe you're in athleisure, you just maybe rolled out of bed, you're just running a quick errand. Like, you don't want people to see you, you don't want to talk to people. You're not in a good mental space to be like, I don't know, approached for a conversation at least. I don't feel that way. I know that, like, when I put effort into my appearance, my mental health is better that day. Really, just any day I put in more effort, I'm like, okay, I see the benefits. And then there's a concept called enclosed cognition. And essentially it's just, it's a, it's a concept that teaches. It's, it's like how we dress impacts how we feel, how we act, how we show up, how we, you know, communicate with people. And yeah, I have this hack that like, days, I don't want to put effort into my appearance. Those are the days I should be putting effort into my parents because I know how much it will impact my mental health for the better. And I, I show up better. I'm not scared to conversate. If somebody talks to me out at the store, I'm not like, you know, hiding or feeling weird. I'm like excited to chat and it's great.

[Courtney Johnson]

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I was listening to a podcast today and it said like there's this study that when you're hiring two people for a job like, they will hire the person that's the most attractive or just better. So, like, mental health, money, all the things like this is so important. It's so true, though, because if I feel like shit, I'm gonna act like shit, you know?

[Abby]

Exactly.

[Courtney Johnson]

And if I look good, I'm gonna. I'm gonna feel good, I'm gonna act good.

[Abby]

The, like, cheesy saying, dress good. What is it? Wear, look good, look good, feel good. That one. Yeah. Look good, feel good. Like, it's true. It's cheesy, but it's true.

[Courtney Johnson]

It's like the queer eye of it all. Yeah.

[Abby]

Yeah.

[Courtney Johnson]

Why people, like, leave being like, ah. Wait, is that show still going?

[Abby]

I don't know. I've never really even watched much of it.

[Courtney Johnson]

You're like the girl Queer Eye. Love that. Okay, our next cheat code. Stop buying roses on Hinge and invest in your wardrobe instead. How much is a rose?

[Abby]

I don't know. I have no idea. But it's like, stop buying dumb shit. Like, stop investing in roses.

[Courtney Johnson]

Stop. Stop buying vapes, please.

[Abby]

No, actually, sorry, Zin. Stop buying zins. Stop buying vapes. Stop buying roses on Hinge. Like, investing in your wardrobe, that's going to do more for you than Hinge ever will.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah. What if you're like, yo, I want to invest in my wardrobe. But that sounds really expensive.

[Abby]

It doesn't need to be expensive. I, again, less is more. I recommend investing in quality versus quantity. Natural fibers. Leather, suede, cotton. You know, stay away from polyester, stay away from plasticky clothes. Like, not. You can find quality items out there at a good price point. There are certain brands also thrifting. Go to the thrift store. They have so much stuff that you and I know. Not everybody's a thrifter, but it is such a great way to get natural fiber clothing at a good price point. If you want me to go thrift for you, I'll go thrift for you.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah. Also, there's thrift stores that are not as overwhelming. Like it's overwhelming to go to a Goodwill, but there are curated thrift stores.

[Abby]

Totally. In New York City, there's so many in Austin. Austin is literally the hub for vintage thrifted clothing.

[Courtney Johnson]

So what are some brands that you recommend to your clients?

[Abby]

I love Buck Mason. Natural fibers.

[Courtney Johnson]

Buck Mason sponsored podcast.

[Abby]

Yes.

[Courtney Johnson]

This is Buck Mason. This is Buck Mason. This is Buck Mason. I'm posting this as a clip and I'm tagging them. I love you, Buck Mason. Love you. Yeah. Buck Mason.

[Abby]

I love. There's a website Online called Huckberry.

[Courtney Johnson]

I love Huckberry.

[Abby]

Yes. They've got good men's stuff. Cost C O S. It's like, I would say a more elevated Zara and Mango. A little bit higher price point, but the quality is there. And, like, the tailoring is really nice brand. It's hard to recommend brands, I would say a little bit just because there's different esthetics people have. And it's like there's not like a one size fits all brand. But I would say those core brands are probably my, like, top three that I recommend to any. Any guy.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, I also love all of those. I feel like price points on that is like 50 to 300 per piece is like, not crazy. Maybe even like 30 to 300 or something. It's not.

[Abby]

No. And it's worth it.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, Absolutely worth it. For sure. Like, stop wearing the dingy ass shit.

[Abby]

That you have, please. And genuinely get pair of shoes too. Like, they will make or break an outfit. Like a guy. That's the first thing I'm looking at on a guy.

[Courtney Johnson]

Really?

[Abby]

Yes. It tells me really kind of anybody. I'm like, all right, what shoes you're wearing. I feel like it just tells so much about a person, weirdly. I know that's kind of a. There's like a concept that goes around about that, like, women really care about men's shoes. So I'm one of them.

[Courtney Johnson]

What's it like dating in Austin?

[Abby]

It's really interesting. It's really, really fascinating. I've had some fun experiences.

[Courtney Johnson]

Any, like, horrible outfits?

[Abby]

No, because I really. I don't date men that dress horribly. Like, that's one thing that I really pick up on kind of going back to aesthetics. Like, once you understand aesthetics, it. It's kind of like a different language that you understand. Like, you can. You can kind of read other people's aesthetics really a lot more easily. And I just don't even put myself in a position to date somebody with a shitty style, so.

[Courtney Johnson]

Okay, our next cheat code. You don't need to learn fashion, be gay, or spend a ton of money on clothes. You just need a strategy. Tell me about the strategy. Like, what does that look like? What is like a style strategy?

[Abby]

Yeah. So it's really customized and tailored for each person. Each client, we go through like a. A questionnaire process, the style discovery process. We define kind of their keyword. Style keyword, three style keywords, and those just kind of work as like, kind of like block out the noise. So, like, if you're shopping, if you're thinking about adding things to your wardrobe, you can kind of lean on those keywords and determine if it really, that item fits in with those keywords in your style. So we go through that. We also do, like a very intensive closet audit process where we determine what we have, kind of filter through what we. I don't have. And then I'll buy. I'll build custom style formulas that are, you know, strategically using their own clothing and then other clothing that I think could be added to their closet to make it more functional. So, yeah, just like outfit formulas and then just having a clear strategy keywords. I think putting words to your style is such a game changer. And then also colors, knowing your colors. I do a color palette session as well, so you can understand your colors. And then like, once you have that strategy, that's when it gets really fun and you can be creative with it and you can really develop a strong signature style and strong personal brand. But that, that foundation, that strategy is so important to have.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, I feel like that's like, very simple and easy to digest. Dude, colors are so important. Like, sometimes I see like a really light skinned, like, ginger dude wearing like neon or something, and I'm like, bro.

[Abby]

That is not your color, sir.

[Courtney Johnson]

Don't do that. Don't do that.

[Abby]

I've even, like, there's been colors I've worn in the past, and I'm like, and it was before I. I had understood my colors. And I'm like, why didn't this color ever work? Or like, the shirt never worked. I never wore that shirt. And then as soon as I got my colors, I was like, oh, that's why it's a color I'm supposed to, to avoid. And there's no rules with that, but it's just kind of guidelines. And there's different colors that enhance your natural features better. And so knowing that can really help elevate your style. Yeah.

[Courtney Johnson]

Again, I just feel like this is one of the things that really, really makes you stand out, because so few people do it, especially men. Like, so few men do this that, like, I talk a lot in my work about, like, unconscious biases. And I use the word bias like neutrally. You can have positive or negative unconscious biases, but if you glance at someone for one second, you're going to have unconscious biases about them. And this is a way to, like, create positive biases immediately. Immediately. And like, the things that, that can lead to again, like dating, work, opportunities, like connections coming to you is just crazy. Like, it really is invaluable no, it truly is.

[Abby]

One of my really good friends here in Austin, he follows me on threads, and I posted a thread yesterday and I said, style hack, like, wear things that. That give people the opportunity to start a conversation with you. And he quoted me today in a post, and he's like, I actually, he's like, I strategically wore a Lakers hat to an event and a random stranger struck up a conversation with me. And he was like, you know, it made me think of you and how you truly can use style so strategically, whether that's in networking, whether that's in dating, or just even in your social circles.

[Courtney Johnson]

Dude, content too. Like, what you're wearing in content can really farm some comments and engagement. If people are sports fans, I always tell them to wear like, sports hats in their content because people will be in the comments being like, the cowboys suck or whatever, or just like something. Like, even if you can kind of mess it up, sometimes I'll tell my clients, like, wear one earring.

[Abby]

The comments start doing that. You forgot your other earring. Yes, the threads trolls will definitely come for me doing that.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, you've really got a lot of trolls. Like, how have you moved through the. The trolls, they're just.

[Abby]

They just make me laugh at this point. They're hilarious. Like, you say, trolls are tools, trolls are trolls.

[Courtney Johnson]

Trolls are engagement fairies. I'm curious if you have any cheat codes or tips around build, like, launching content? Because you really went from like, no content, didn't have a personal brand to, all right, I'm going to step into this. I'm starting to build it. And now you're so consistent, you're having multiple shit pop off and get viral. Like, like, really consistently. Do you have any tips or cheat codes for people that are like, I want to start creating content, I want to start getting consistent, but it' really scary.

[Abby]

Yeah, I think just finding a low effort way to post content. Like you said, like, you literally ring in the back of my mind every time. Like, literally every day. It's like, you just have to build the habit. It's building the habit, it's being consistent. And just find a platform where you can be consistent. Threads was that for me? That was probably my. I don't think I'd be where I am on my content journey without threads, truly. Um, I just. I love it. Um, so. And it's. It's just such a low effort way that I can post and not really think about it. And then, like, if something does work or pop off, then it's like, okay, how can I repurpose this or add this to my Instagram? I'm still struggling with Instagram, but I am working to not get so caught up in the design work. I feel like that was a big, a big problem or like pain point for me. I just started kind of adding photos and, you know, adding things directly through Instagram and just posting it, not thinking about it and that. That's what's helped me.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah. It's really important to remember that there's two different games. There's the game of mastering consistency and then there's the game of optimization. And if you try to play both games at one time, it's gonna overwhelm.

[Abby]

It's exhausting. So exhausting.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, it's like, I don't know why more people don't talk about this. Because it's like, it's almost like, let's say I really wanted to get in shape and I'd never been to the gym before. And my first day at the gym I'm like, how can I optimize my fitness routine? Give me my macros and I'm running a triathlon and I want to cold plunge and I want to take all these supplements.

[Abby]

You'd be so burnt out.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, you'd be so burned out. So overwhelmed. Like, no, step one is just like getting to the gym and doing like a 10 minute workout totally day or whatever. It's like just walking. Like you have to be able to walk a mile before you can run a marathon. So many people just like jump into marathon training. Meaning, like jump into. My content has to be perfect. But it's multiple, multiple skills. But yeah, you're consistent as fuck.

[Abby]

Well, also your content club like that, that and just, I mean hiring you for accountability was, was really what I, I needed. The, the accountability part is also just such a hard part because it's like, ah, I don't want, you know, I don't want to do this. I don't want to. But I'm like, okay, Courtney's in the back of my head all the time.

[Courtney Johnson]

All the time.

[Abby]

Truly. I'm like, I gotta get some content out.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, this is a good plug for content Club and my VIP program. So yes, listeners, slide in the DMs. She's the best. It is so important. I mean, that's why I created it because I had hired people before and they were just like, go do this. And like never checked up on me. And also weren't going at my pace. Like they're going at a pace that was so much faster than I was, like, emotionally resonant with. And it just became so overwhelming. And really, it's a process. It's a process of, like, overcoming your limiting beliefs and like, overcoming. It is all mental. It is, it is like, like, it is all mental. You've seen that you can go viral. You've seen that you can be consistent like the rest of it. Like, you already have the actions and it's not physically hard. It's not physically hard to pick up your phone and do this? Like, no, it's not physically hard. It's not.

[Abby]

I'm like, okay, instead of scrolling on my phone and looking at stuff that's just gonna rot my brain, like, let's make some content and get it posted.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, it's, it's powerful. But you've, like, you've really, like, moved through a lot.

[Abby]

Yes.

[Courtney Johnson]

I feel like you all also have, like, cheat codes around community. Like, I. That's, that's a really big part of the growth that I've seen in you. I'm curious, like, how that's been a part of your journey and what you would recommend to others that are, like, stepping into this.

[Abby]

Yeah, I feel like Threads is such a good community avenue. If you're really trying to build a community, do it there. I'm still, like, learning. I'm still on my community building journey. But I would say just like, like recently I started posting every single day, just like, hey, good morning. What's everybody wearing today? And then all these, like, threads friends of mine, like, they're like, posting their outfits and like, sharing what they're wearing for the day. And then like, I'll post an outfit of like, whatever I'm wearing. And it's just like, I've made like, friends, like genuine friends on there and I, I feel like I'm building a stronger community. But yeah, I think it's just like finding like, little ways you can connect with people and just, just adding value to, to that community. Like, I'm constantly thinking of things that I can share or like, things that I think about psychologically or, I don't know, like style hacks that I have or utilize on, on my days or like when I'm getting dressed. And I'll just try to share as much value as I can.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yeah, one, one last cheat code. And this is a content cheat code that you do so well. It's like, if you don't know what to post, ask your audience a question.

[Abby]

Yes, I do that all the time.

[Courtney Johnson]

You do that so well. Okay, tell me about this strategy. Cause it's so good. Like, you could have a whole content strategy just off of this. In fact, you know what? I'm gonna make this my content club prompt for tomorrow. Love Ask a question.

[Abby]

Yes, Yes. I just, like, people love answering questions. Like, they want to be asked questions. They love answering questions, and they love giving their advice. They love giving their feedback, and it's just. It's the perfect way to engage with people. And then, you know, you can kind of go through and, like, argue back and forth with people. I've gotten in plenty of arguments with questions I've asked, and it could be fun. It could be fun, but it can also be spicy. But, yeah, questions are. Are a serious cheat code for engagement. Yeah.

[Courtney Johnson]

If you want to find good questions, go to Ask Reddit. Oof. Go to Ask Reddit. Type in a keyword.

Yeah, there's.

They're really good questions. Yeah. Like, amazing. And they're already proven to work. So, yeah. If you're in my content club, you know that.

[Abby]

Yeah. Cheat code.

[Courtney Johnson]

Cheat code. Cheat code alert.

[Abby]

That's when you kind of, like, really opened up my mind with, like, the question asking. I was like, that's a, like, brilliant idea.

[Courtney Johnson]

It's so simple, and you do it so well, and. And a lot of them are spicy and they get.

[Abby]

Yeah, they're fun.

[Courtney Johnson]

Okay, Abby, where can people find you? How can they work with you?

[Abby]

They can find me on Instagram threads. If you want to see my spicier stuff, go to threads. LinkedIn. I'm not as activ. Active on LinkedIn. I'm working on that. But, yeah, threads, LinkedIn. I've got a stand store set up as well. Link is in my buy on Instagram, so. Yeah.

[Courtney Johnson]

Okay. Yeah. Abby Page. Go find her.

[Abby]

Yes.

[Courtney Johnson]

Beautiful. Thank you for coming on the pod.

[Abby]

Thank you for having me.

[Courtney Johnson]

Yay. That was so good.

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