The Core Messaging Playbook
From swirling ideas to sharp messaging IN ONE WEEK
A done-for-you sprint that pulls your product vision out of your head and into sharp, repeatable language. Built for early-stage founders who can’t afford to launch to crickets.
One week.
One flat fee.
Is this the file you’ve been waiting for?
The Core Messaging Playbook is for founders at the earliest stages of building an audience, pitching for funding, or preparing to launch.
If you recognise yourself here, clearance has been granted.
USE CASE
You’re preparing to pitch
Investors, crowdfunders, early partners… your story is everything. Without sharp messaging, even the best idea won’t stick.
USE CASE
You’re starting to build an audience
Your content feels scattered, inconsistent, or confusing. (Or nonexistent.) You need a simple set of talking points people actually remember.
USE CASE
You’re getting ready to launch
Your product is nearly ready. What’s missing is the language that convinces people to back it, buy it, or believe in it.
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Idea-stage dreamers still deciding if they want to build something.
Founders ready for a full-scale brand identity (you want Identity Architecture).
Anyone who thinks “people will just get it.” (They won’t.)
department of clarity
I’m Liv Steigrad, Behavioural Strategist and founder of The Identity Dept.
I use psychology-led messaging systems with scaling businesses. But most founders can’t wait until they’re scaling. That’s why I built this sprint. The same process, compressed into one week, so you have clarity now, not someday.
If you’ve ever felt like your idea is strong but your words aren’t landing, you’re not alone.
The Playbook exists because clarity isn’t optional. It’s the difference between people getting it… and people passing on it.
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It’s like a second brain for my messaging…
“Working with Liv was exactly what I needed at this stage of the business. The Playbook rounded up all my swirling ideas into a clear set of instructions and concrete actions, like a second brain for my messaging. It’s taken the mental load off and given me the clarity to move forward.
Our 1-on-1 sessions were a real highlight. Liv has a way of asking questions that tease out your thinking in full. Her work helped me organise my thoughts into a usable execution plan, which we’re now using to launch our first campaign and attract sponsorship. It’s without a doubt a necessary stepping stone towards progress.”
- Jamil Kahn, Founder (Dancecard)
how it works
A one-week, done-for-you sprint that turns your fuzzy product story into language people remember, and act on.
You walk away with one clean source of truth that includes:
Your core idea, distilled
One-liner + short pitch that explains what you do and why it matters. (You’ll want to memorise this one).
Founder story
A narrative that captures people’s emotions and demonstrates why you’re the one to make this.
Audience messaging maps
We define the 2-3 audiences you need to talk to and get clear on what they need to hear and how they want to hear it.
Voice & tone guardrails
How to sound like you, consistently.
Sticky phrases + talking points
Anchors for your site, socials, and invites.
Content starter kit
Mapped themes so you’re never starting from zero.
Priority next steps lan
Immediate actions build traction. You get a checklist of what to do today, this week, and this month.
“It’s like a Marie Kondo for your messaging, rounding up all the swirling ideas in your head and organising them into something you can use right away.”
– Jamil
THE TIMELINE
DAY 1
Half day workshop. Face to face or online.
DAY 2-4
I write, build, and refine.
DAY 5
Half day feedback and implementation workshop. (Translation: You won’t be left wondering what to do with it.)
Investment
Includes all deliverables, coffee and snacks on me, and an immortal feature in The Dept’s coveted Case Files.
$2000 AUD + GST
YOU NEED THIS
Because if people don’t get it, they won’t back it, buy it, or believe in it.
Your product deserves more than polite nods and confused faces.
It deserves sharp, memorable language that makes investors lean in, users click yes, and your team (or your future team) feel aligned.
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Gives you the clarity to talk about your product with confidence.
Provides tangible scripts and assets you’ll actually use.
Delivers a simple process with direct support so you’re never left guessing.
Turns “someday we’ll figure this out” into “next week, it’s done.”
By the end of the sprint, you’ll have more than messaging.
You’ll have a system that makes every pitch, deck, and post easier– and infinitely more effective.
FAQ
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Yes. The Playbook is built for non-brand founders. You’ll get scripts, say-this-not-that lines, and an organised system you can hand to your team or drop into a deck.
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This isn’t theory. It’s a done-for-you, customized manual with examples in your context + personalised instructions showing exactly where to use what.
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Most strong products do. I’ll surface the deeper thread and turn it into a coherent story that sounds persuasive.
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Right before you start investor/customer conversations or spin up content. It’s the bridge between “prototype in your head” and “traction in the real world.”