In today's fast-paced, influencer heavy and supremely noisy marketing landscape, authenticity has become as rare as a natural blonde. However, embracing authenticity in your marketing efforts can have a profound impact on the level at which your customers trust you, and it can go a long way to building trust, connecting with your audience, and creating lasting customer relationships.  Translation:  Authenticity equates to a greater chance that your business won't fail quickly, and also that you won't be labeled as an asshole.

So let's talk about it. 

Authenticity is the cornerstone of trust in marketing. In a world saturated with overly polished and scripted advertisements, your customers - and my customers -  are literally begging for genuine connections. They spend so much time online that they feel alone. Crazy, right?  By embracing a slow approach, you take the time to align your messaging, visuals, and customer interactions with your authentic brand identity- which I know is a lot of jargon - but doing this allows your audience to connect with the real of your business.  The parts that they see in themselves, the YOU they see in themselves and the connection they so desperately crave. When customers feel the authenticity in your marketing, they develop a sense of trust that transcends mere transactions, leading to an indestructible brand loyalty and advocacy.

Meaning, your clients will fight for you because they trust you so deeply.  

That's the goal.

How do we do this?  There are 3 things you need to think about.

One:  Connections that make your audience feel like people - not numbers.

A slow approach to marketing allows you to focus on building genuine connections with your audience. It involves going beyond surface-level interactions and engaging in open and transparent conversations. Actively listen to your customers' needs, empathize with their challenges, and provide solutions that genuinely address their pain points. Many entrepreneurs will focus on products and services that they know will help their audience, BUT the audience has no idea they need it.  So it flops.

Your job is to listen. Listen to what they THINK they need, and then lead with that.  Connection comes so much faster when you actually listen to where they are at instead of project your own assumptions on to them. This can be achieved through personalized interactions, concern and attention within customer service, and a genuine commitment to adding value to their lives before profit.

In this, you foster more meaningful connections, you create a loyal community that supports and ultimately a group of people who advocate for your brand. 

Two: You gotta tell some stories. Truthful ones.

The power of storytelling is largely underestimated in marketing.  But the reality is that humans are naturally drawn to narratives that resonate with their own experiences and emotions. Your job is to share your brand's story, values, and mission in a genuine and relatable way. Craft compelling narratives that highlight the human element behind your brand, revealing the passion and purpose that drive your business.

Doing this creates a powerful emotional connection that resonates with your audience on a far deeper level than if you just hid behind the scenes spewing the party line. Authentic storytelling not only demands attention but also creates an incredible sense of transparency, making your brand more relatable and memorable - and ultimately: more shareable. 

Remember: your audience more deeply appreciates businesses that are open about their products, services, and business practices. By choosing to be forthright about your strengths and limitations, clearly communicating what sets your brand apart, and even admitting when you make mistakes, you skyrocket your credibility and cement in the trust in your brand. As always, remember that honest marketing practices also include being realistic about what your products or services can deliver, avoiding overpromising or exaggeration.  

Three:  Play the Long Game

Transparent, authentic marketing prioritizes the nurturing of long-term relationships with customers.  This is not a wham-bam-thank-you-maam situation here. You want people who are going to STAY. People who will love you enough to spread the word. People who are obsessed with you and how much you've changed their lives. 

Instead of solely focusing on acquiring new customers, allocate resources and effort to building loyalty and repeat business. Invest time in personalized interactions, exceptional, top notch customer service, and continuous, powerful communication. The most successful entrepreneurs have strategies for staying connected with their audience through email marketing, personalized offers, and loyalty or customer retention programs. In doing this, they - and you - are showing your audience and your customers that they matter. That their needs beyond the initial sale are important to you.  This creates a community of loyal brand advocates who willingly spread the word about your brand. Nurturing long-term relationships is a testament to your authenticity and genuine commitment to your customers' satisfaction, which ultimately fosters a positive reputation and sustainable growth.

Bottom line friends: put people before profit.  The world is tired of feeling like a number, and like they don't matter at all. Think about the state of the world right now.  Everyone is experiencing some level of loneliness, and they just want to be SEEN. Heard. Understood.  

When you bring authenticity - which is just a fancy word for acting like a human who is kind - into your marketing, it's an incredible step up in business.  Because there are so many who don't do this in business - which means that YOU, by adding transparency and a human first approach to marketing can instantly set yourself apart.  

In a world where consumers are constantly bombarded with marketing messages, authenticity stands out as a refreshing and genuine approach. When customers perceive authenticity in your marketing efforts, they feel a deeper connection with your brand, and ultimately appreciate businesses that are transparent, honest, and true to their values. Authenticity breeds trust, and trust is the foundation of strong customer relationships.

Remember that people are drawn to narratives that resonate with their own experiences and emotions. By sharing the journey behind your brand, the values that drive your business, and the positive impact you aim to make, you create an emotional connection that goes beyond the transactional level. This connection can lead to brand loyalty and advocacy, as customers feel aligned with your purpose and values.

The slow approach to humanity in marketing is not just a marketing tactic; it becomes the essence of your brand, guiding your actions and shaping the perception of your business in the minds of your customers.

That's a hell of a legacy to leave in a broken world.

Remember that The Quiet Marketing Membership is open - it's a great option if you want to chat 1:1 with Jessica and tackle the pieces of business that are holding you back: marketing, social media, visibility and of course: funnels. 

xo, 

Jessica