Authenticity.
How do you carry Authenticity into your brand? It starts with you as a leader being Authentic. Remember Snow White in that famous scene “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” Well, the Mirror never lies. Take a true look at yourself and then base the core principles of being authentic and how that relates to your business.
Reliable and Approachable
Do you show up to meetings? Are you consistent in your messaging? Do you make your clients feel comfortable? Do you show a true genuine connection with your community?
Imperfect and Vulnerable
Are you transparent? Believe me that can be scary. Can you admit when you make mistakes? Can you credit all your support that helped you get where you are today.
Respected And Respectful
Do you make your clients feel acknowledged, and do you thank them? It is not always about money.
Attentive And Responsive
One of the most significant areas that I focus on with my clients. I am attentive to their needs and listen to their pain points. I respond to emails, calls, etc., in a timely manner. According to a recent survey, at each stage of the customer lifecycle, 82% rated an immediate response from businesses as ‘important’ or ‘very important’ when they posed marketing or sales-related inquiries.
Being authentic comes down to being real, reliable, and trustworthy. Whether you’re a small business owner or leading a larger corporation, establishing who you are as a brand—your tone, beliefs, values, personality, and more—is the first step to creating an authentic presence online and behind the scenes.
See below messaging I use in my business:
I’m a yoga enthusiast and always down for some downward dog. I’m a Diet Coke fan who believes that it beats Pepsi hands, and cans, down. I am a bead collector and wine lover (you had me at Merlot……but also at Cabernet, Pinot, and Port). I believe that nature nurtures and am beach-obsessed; sand between my toes is my favorite fashion accessory. I love Frida Kahlo and her artistry influences my work each day.
I live in the small town of Dunedin, Florida as part of an LGBT family. I am a dog mom/dog servant and I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2005. I have eight nieces and nephews and work hard to maintain my reputation as the coolest aunt in The Sunshine State.
I am a transparent person, and that trickles down to my business, which shows in how I speak and respond to my clients. Marketing isn’t an easy service to provide. It has many depths of Authenticity.