Did you know that 88% of consumers say authenticity is important when deciding which brands they like and support?
People want to connect with other real people, not just faceless brands!
Creating meaningful interactions and showing the real you (even if that’s a slightly more professional “you”) is one of the best ways you can build trust and loyalty between your brand and your audience.
Here are some of our best tips on how you can strike the right balance between business and casual!
SPEAK TO YOUR FOLLOWERS DIRECTLY
When you hop on Stories or create Reels, don’t shy away from showing your face. 70% of consumers report feeling more connected to a brand when their CEO is active on social!
It might be a little bit daunting if you’re not used to being in front of the camera, but speaking directly to your audience helps them see the human side of your brand and is a great way to make your followers feel as though you’re chatting to them 1:1 and establish a personal connection with them.
SHARE BEHIND-THE-SCENES CONTENT
People looove a sneak peek! It doesn’t have to be anything too serious - 68% of consumers say social media content being authentic and relatable is more important than polished, high-quality content.
Just sharing some real, behind-the-scenes moments gives your followers an idea of the energy and time you put into your brand. It could be a glimpse of your workspace or a quick video of your creative process - either way, transparency builds trust. Your audience will likely appreciate the effort you put in and feel more connected to your journey.
GET YOUR TONE OF VOICE RIGHT
Finding the right tone of voice is so important. If your social media posts don’t feel natural or sound like something you’d say in real life, they can come across as inauthentic.
So, if your brand is fun and quirky, don’t be afraid to let that influence what you say and write! 55% of buyers say they’re more likely to buy a product if they love a brand’s genuineness.
A stiff, corporate tone won’t resonate with your audience - even if that might feel like the “proper” thing to do when writing copy for a business. Instead, use language that feels comfortable and true to who you are.
GENUINELY CARE ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS
Listening to your customers is absolutely key! Take the time to respond to comments and messages - people love knowing their voices are heard.
When customers feel connected to brands, 57% will increase their spending with that brand and 76% will buy from them over a competitor.
Plus, it gives you valuable insights that can help fine-tune your operations and come up with new ideas!
AVOID SPAMMING OR OVER-PROMOTION
We’ve all been subjected to brands that only push sales, promotions, and self-promotion - and you’ve probably unfollowed them!
The truth is, audiences don’t want to be constantly sold to. 70% of consumers prefer informational content over intrusive ads! Instead of constantly selling, aim to provide value with your content.
When your focus shifts to building relationships rather than just making sales, you’ll create a more authentic and engaging brand presence.
DON’T BUY FOLLOWERS OR LIKES
This one’s straightforward… please just don’t do it (please)!
While it might be tempting to boost those numbers, buying followers or likes doesn’t lead to genuine engagement. Instead, focus on growing your audience organically.
Buying followers can also violate Instagram's Community Guidelines which state you should not “artificially collect likes, followers, or shares”, and could result in your account being suspended or your reach and engagement decreasing. Remember - quality over quantity ALWAYS!
SO… DON’T TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY!
Whilst building an authentic brand presence on social media takes time and a genuine effort to connect with your audience, the main thing is to really just have fun with it and let your genuine personality influence your content. The rewards are worth it - loyal customers, stronger brand connections, and lasting trust.
If you’re looking for some more personalised guidance around creating content, we’d love to help! Check out our services here to see how we can support your journey, or reach out directly here for a one-on-one chat.