What separates you from everyone else? There’s only one YOU, that’s what! And the same thing goes for your business. Sure you may sell products and/or services that are similar to your competition but YOU are what makes your business unique.
On social media, it’s understood that most people put their best selves forward. Instagram moments and Facebook memories are a reminder that those who originally posted MUST live a blessed, possibly a perfect life. The problem is, it’s not the truth.
If you post similarly on your business social platforms, once you meet your customers for the first time they will be taken aback. And those customers that already know you will wonder what in the world is going on! The truth will always rise to the top. Authentic businesses inspire and prosper.
Whether you’re posting videos or behind the scenes pictures, the way you post should be your authentic personality. If 2020 has taught us nothing, it’s taught us that right now we’re living in a virtual world. The more virtual our lives get, the more we hunger for something genuine.
If your business can stay true to who you are, what you do and who you serve, amazing things can happen! Authenticity can elevate your business above your competition, enable people to relate to your business and it encourages engagement which can turn audiences into advocates. Remember: Know, like and trust. What is less known is, once customers are at the point of trusting you and spending their hard earned money on your products and/or service, many become raving fans. Those are the best customers to have because A) they share their excitement for you with anyone who will listen and B) you don’t have to pay them to do it!
Remember, people like buying from people, not companies. Show a little personality in your social posts from time to time. Show that you’re, in fact, human! But, understand, this isn’t as easy as it seems (if it was, every business would practice this!). Being real comes with the caveat that you must exhibit empathy and intuition in order to make this work. There is a very real chance at some point, you will be made fun of, probably starting with your competition. Taking the high road is of the upmost importance, although you still find yourself in the position to protect your brand and employees.
All this becomes much easier if you have a business plan that includes what your ‘why’ is and who your ideal target audience is. Your business plan is your working document of your business. As the day to day grind of running a business ebbs and flows, the core of your brand must stay consistent and that’s what a business plan provides.
When you stay authentic to who you are you will attract those customers who resonate with your product and/or service. You will spend less time with people who aren’t your ideal target audience and more time with those who are.
Rachel DeAlto says “Large, shallow networks feed your ego. Small, deep, authentic connections feed your soul.” She explains there are three things you can do to become more authentic:
- Be more vulnerable
- Check your why
- Be patient
Once you get used to showing the real “you” on social media, you’ll stop spending energy on trying to be someone else! Life becomes easier. BUSINESS becomes easier. And people will know the real YOU inside your business.