Being Authentic: Why You Don’t Need to Follow Social Media Trends to Succeed
Being Authentic: Why You Don’t Need to Follow Social Media Trends to Succeed
If you haven’t been showing up on social media through video or other content formats because you don’t feel comfortable doing the same thing other people are doing (like lip syncing and dancing) you’re going to love this episode because we’re talking about why you don’t need to follow social media trends to be successful. We are also sharing ideas for HOW to show up in an authentic and impactful way that feels right for you.
Here’s what we’re diving into in this episode:
- What it means to be authentic on social media and examples of how to do it
- How trends can actually backfire when it comes to growing your following
- Why your videos don’t need to go viral to build your brand
- How to come across as real and relatable (authentic) before you do a video (Kathleen shares what helps her with this)
First a little back story. When reels first came onto the scene on Instagram back in 2019, I thought – well this is nice, but I’m not going to dance or do lip syncing, so this isn’t for me. As time went on though, I realized I didn’t have to do what everyone else was doing and I could figure out what worked for me, my personality and my brand. I decided I would use reels as another form of short video content and use it to share quick helpful tips. This video format was appealing to me because it’s very easy to come up with content that is short and to the point. I remember watching Dr. Daniel Amen’s reels and he gets hundreds of thousands of views on most of his reels, and they are just very simple face to camera videos with no fancy editing. So, sometimes simple is the way to go and it helps you spring into action more quickly.
I’m sharing this story because it’s so easy to compare ourselves to what everyone else is doing and we think we need to follow the latest trend or fad, when in fact, NOT going with the crowd will help you stand out more and will help you feel more authentic when you figure out how to show up in a way that feels comfortable for you.
We’ve both heard stories about people who have had their videos go viral but, in the end, it didn’t help them generate more revenue because while they reached a large audience, they weren’t the RIGHT audience, so they got an influx of new followers, but they weren’t their ideal clients. This could happen from using a trending audio that reaches a lot of people, so it’s something to be aware of – you don’t necessarily WANT to go viral because it doesn’t mean you’re going to get an influx of your ideal clients.
We’re going to share 3 reasons why you don’t have to follow social media trends to be successful and 3 ways to show up in a way that feels authentic to you.
Here are 3 reasons why you don’t have to follow social media trends to be successful on social media:
- You’ll actually stand out more: If you’re true to yourself and your brand, people can sense it and you’ll come across as being more genuine which people are naturally drawn to.
- Trends come and go quickly. By the time you jump on a trend, it may have already peaked, and you’ll be left chasing the next one. Instead, focus on creating content that’s timeless and evergreen. This doesn’t mean you CAN’T use any trends, but you don’t want to do it all the time.
- Following trends can stifle creativity. By focusing on what’s already popular, you may miss out on the opportunity come up with something unique. By being true to yourself, you’ll have the freedom to explore your creativity and do something truly original if you want.
So, what does it mean to be authentic and how does it work? Here are 3 examples:
- Be yourself: Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Embrace your uniqueness and share your true personality with your audience. People will appreciate your authenticity and relate to you more easily. One mindset shift that helped me with this in the beginning was asking myself “How would I show up if I were talking to a couple of my good friends or a couple of my favorite customers?” When I record a video or do a livestream, that’s who I imagine I’m talking to and it comes across more natural and I feel at ease.
- Show your vulnerable side by sharing personal stories: Share your experiences, struggles, and imperfections along with your successes. People love this and it will help your audience get to know you on a more personal level and it shows them that you’re not perfect either.
- Share behind-the-scenes moments: Let your followers see what goes on behind the scenes of your work or personal life. This will give them a glimpse into your daily routine and help them connect with you on a more personal level. Only share what you are comfortable sharing for privacy reasons of course, but people also love seeing behind the scenes of other people’s lives. I do this more in my stories than I do on my reels, so you can do what works for you.
Following a trend might be easy, but it won’t necessarily showcase your creativity or set you apart from the competition. Look at the people you follow that you are drawn to and take inspiration from what they do if it feels right to you and figure out a way to make your own spin on it.
It’s important to remember that social media is not about you; it’s about your audience. Your followers are looking for valuable content that will educate, entertain, or inspire them. Figure out what fits your personality the best, knowing that it’s okay to test and experiment to find what works best.
We can’t wait to see what you do!
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