How many licks does it take to get the center of a tootsie pop? My son claims the answer is 110.
How many layers stand between your personal brand and the real you? Hopefully zero. No one wants to have to work through a ton of layers to get to you and your awesomeness!
Bringing your true, authentic self into your work, your writing, and your personal brand is a treasure, both for you and for those you work with.
- For you, it eliminates stress, loneliness, anxiety, and the extra work of pretending to be something you are not.
- For others, it’s refreshing and comforting to know we are getting the real deal from the first hello.
You are a wonderful human being. Use that to build trust, deep connection, and a foundation for success that stands on authenticity.
How To Remove Sticky Layers And Write Authentically
You build up unnecessary layers around your personal brand when you chase “shoulds”: I should be talking about this; I should be capitalizing on this trending style; I should listen to [insert your favorite influencer here].
If you’d like to stop throwing words around and start genuinely connecting with your audience, try these three things:
1. Ditch the jargon and speak/write like YOU.
Forget the corporate lingo that makes you sound like everyone else. Write like you are talking to a friend. Record yourself explaining a concept aloud then infuse that natural way of speaking directly into your writing. When your content sounds like you, it resonates.
2. Share your “why” and your story.
Your story matters, even if you think it doesn’t. Your ups and downs, your why, your passions: it all points to you being human, relatable, and worth a connection. Weave your story and experiences into your message to show your audience who you are to move away from a purely transactional relationship. (Because no one likes those.)
3. Write for one person.
Everyone loves getting a handwritten letter in the mail, specifically addressed to them. Your messaging should feel like that: a genuine, fully-focused, one-on-one conversation. Building out customer personas can help with that, as they allow you to tailor your message directly to their challenges, motivations, and interests. Your writing will feel personal, impactful, and truly engaging if you write for an audience of one.