{"id":1249,"date":"2025-05-13T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internship.infoskaters.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/13\/be-human-or-be-ignored-why-authenticity-matters-and-how-my-brand-helped-me-launch-a-business\/"},"modified":"2025-05-13T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T11:00:00","slug":"be-human-or-be-ignored-why-authenticity-matters-and-how-my-brand-helped-me-launch-a-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internship.infoskaters.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/13\/be-human-or-be-ignored-why-authenticity-matters-and-how-my-brand-helped-me-launch-a-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Be human or be ignored \u2014 why authenticity matters and how my brand helped me launch a business"},"content":{"rendered":"

I still remember how uncomfortable I felt the first time someone suggested I needed to \u201cbuild my personal brand.\u201d It seemed so … self-promoting. Weren’t my ideas and work supposed to speak for themselves?<\/p>\n

But as I looked around at who was actually gaining traction in my industry, I noticed something important. The most talented people weren\u2019t necessarily getting opportunities. The ones who showed up as themselves, shared what they knew, and helped others along the way truly thrived. Then, I realized being authentic isn’t just nice to have \u2014 it\u2019s essential.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

My breakthrough came when I stopped trying to sound like everyone else in my industry. I stopped using jargon that made me feel important but put distance between me and the people I wanted to help. Instead, I started writing and speaking exactly how I talk to my closest friends. The response was immediate and powerful. Here’s what actually worked for me.<\/p>\n

How An Authentic Personal Brand Leveled Up My Career<\/h2>\n

When I first opened LinkedIn, it felt like a corporate graveyard. Everyone sounded the same. Buzzwords. Status updates dressed up as leadership. That\u2019s not what my personal brand is, and I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what a personal brand should be.<\/p>\n

A personal brand isn‘<\/span><\/span>t just a logo or catchy tagline attached to your name \u2014 it\u2019s the authentic expression of who you are, what you stand for, and the unique value you bring to others. It’s the intersection of your genuine expertise and distinctive perspective that creates an impression in people\u2019s minds when they encounter your work or hear your name.<\/p>\n

When I was newly promoted to head of social content at Gymshark, I didn\u2019t want to fall into the brag-post trap. I wanted to create content with value.<\/p>\n

I posted five times a week \u2014 win or flop, rain or shine. Some posts got 10 likes. Some got 10,000. But the rhythm built trust. It built recognition. And recognition, over time, became credibility. Here\u2019s my guide to building that authenticity online.<\/p>\n

How I Built Authenticity on My Social Channels<\/h2>\n\n

\n1. <\/strong>Getting<\/strong> Crystal Clear About What I Do<\/strong>
\n<\/h3>\n

For years, I tried to be everything to everyone. I was afraid of niching down, thinking I’d miss opportunities. But, I was drowning in a sea of sameness. Nobody could remember what made me special.<\/p>\n

So, I forced myself to complete this sentence: \u201cI help [specific people] achieve [specific outcome] through [my unique approach].\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

It took me about 27 attempts to get it right. But once I had that clarity, everything else became easier. People finally understood what I was about in seconds. And more importantly, they started thinking of me when specific opportunities came up.<\/p>\n

This wasn’t just a statement \u2014 it became my operating system.<\/p>\n

Tactical approach<\/strong>: I developed three specific questions to achieve this clarity:<\/p>\n

What am I really good at helping with? (My genuine expertise.)
\n Who do I most want to help? (My ideal audience.)
\n Why should someone choose me over others? (My unique difference.) <\/p>\n

The people who stand out focus on ONE thing. Think about how Seth Godin is instantly connected to marketing ideas or how Gary Vaynerchuck is known for helping new entrepreneurs. They’re remembered because they don\u2019t try to be everything.<\/p>\n

Action you can take today<\/strong>: Write your one-sentence description: \u201cI help [specific people] achieve [specific outcome] through [your unique approach].\u201d Test it with five people who know you well \u2014 if they say, \u201cThat’s so you,\u201d you’ve nailed it.<\/p>\n

2. Showing Up Until I Couldn’t Be Ignored<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Consistency was never my strong suit. I’d get excited about sharing ideas, post a flurry of content, and then disappear when client work got busy.<\/p>\n

The turning point came when I committed to sharing an idea everyday on LinkedIn, no matter what. Even when I was tired. Even when I thought nobody was listening. I picked this one platform where my ideal clients actually spent time, and I became a fixture in their feed.<\/p>\n

This approach eventually led me to becoming part of the 1% that drives 99% of all LinkedIn engagement. It wasn’t an overnight success \u2014 these results were the compounding effect of consistent presence.<\/p>\n

Tactical approach<\/strong>: I focused on three specific content strategies:<\/p>\n

Share what you know.<\/strong> I started passing along helpful tips, lessons I’d learned, and stories that demonstrated expertise \u2014 not theory. <\/p>\n

Join the conversation.<\/strong> I identified where people in my field were already talking and became an active participant rather than just starting new threads. <\/p>\n

Pick my spot.<\/strong> I focused exclusively on LinkedIn because that’s where my audience spent time, rather than diluting my efforts across multiple platforms. <\/p>\n

I didn’t focus on follower count. Instead, I measured success by the quality of conversations my posts sparked. The most meaningful posts weren\u2019t the ones that went viral \u2014 they were the ones where someone messaged me saying, \u201cIt’s like you were reading my mind. I needed to hear this today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Action you can take today<\/strong>: Choose your primary platform (LinkedIn was mine) and commit to sharing valuable content at least three times per week. Make each post something that could stand alone as your manifesto.<\/p>\n

3. Giving First, Asking Later<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The most counterintuitive lesson I learned was that the less I focused on selling, the more business came my way.<\/p>\n

I started each week by asking myself: \u201cHow can I add value to my community today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sometimes, that meant sharing a resource I‘<\/span><\/span>d created. Other times, it meant making an introduction between two people who needed to know each other. Often, it was simply shining a spotlight on someone else\u2019s great work.<\/p>\n

Tactical approach<\/strong>: I focused on three specific giving strategies:<\/p>\n

Share what you know freely.<\/strong> I published insights that others in my industry charged for. People remember those who helped them without strings attached. <\/p>\n

Shine a light on others. <\/strong>I became known as someone who celebrated others’ wins and amplified their voices. The reciprocity effect was powerful. <\/p>\n

Solve actual problems.<\/strong> Instead of posting for engagement, I identified real challenges my community faced and provided actionable solutions. <\/p>\n

Action you can take today<\/strong>: Identify three specific ways you can add value this week. That can be sharing a resource, making an introduction, or helping someone in your industry solve a specific problem. Do this before asking for anything in return.<\/p>\n

Authenticity Helped Me Level Up<\/h2>\n

The more I gave without expectation, the more opportunities, partnerships, and business flowed back to me \u2014\u00a0without any awkward asks.<\/p>\n

This approach became the foundation of my personal brand’s growth, amassing over 500 million impressions, 9 million engagements, and 350k followers. I was ranked as the number one most influential marketing creator globally on LinkedIn and second overall in five years.<\/p>\n

That success translated to real value for my business. When I launched Butterfly Effect, my marketing business, we generated \u00a32 million (about $2.5 million U.S.) without needing a traditional sales team. So remember, your digital self can drive dividends beyond what you expect. Just be sure to be authentic.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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