Staying true and unapologetically authentic to who you really are, it really is one of the most important things in life, on both a personal level and in business too.
In business we are often left feeling a bit disconnected, people want genuine, they want honesty and a really nice experience. When you are honest, real, and can offer them a genuine sense of connection people remember that and they feel valued.
What does being authentic mean?
When you’re authentic, you stay true to you; your values are reflected in everything you do and it shows. It results in a much happier and more fulfilling life. Being authentic with your business can also be beneficial because:
- It helps you stand out from the competition, you’re not all advertising and marketing.
- Customers will relate to you better – You are human, you are real and you are raw. It’s refreshing and what people like to see.
- People will see you and your business as reliable and trustworthy, you have nothing to hide, and why should you?
How can you be authentic?
Be real. It’s as simple as that.
It’s really important, think about why you started your business, why you have put all this effort in and worked so hard to find the best way to share your passion. You don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not, and shouldn’t spend all of your time copying what your competitors are doing. It is YOUR business and you have built it around your values. What is important to you?
I am always transparent. I know sometimes it can be tempting to just try to do what someone else is doing because it is working so well for them, but be realistic about exactly what you offer people and what you’re worth. If you are offering your services for far less than what you know you’re worth, you won’t be as motivated to do a good job and you won’t attract customers who’ll value you, your services, or your experience. I’m not saying don’t offer people incentives, just don’t stray too far from what you know you’re worth in your own heart.
It all pays off
Being authentic and not just doing as others do really does pay off, especially in my experience. I still love what I do, even after many years in the industry. Being authentic could pay off for you too. Think about it, why would you not want to be yourself, rather than wasting all of your energy on creating and maintaining an impression and your business that isn’t real. You should focus on building a business that you genuinely love and that aligns with your deepest values. That will attract more customers that value you, any day of the week.
“Be so completely yourself that everyone else feels safe to be themselves too”