7 Small Habits That Make Your Personal Brand More Authentic
People don’t just buy into your products or services. They buy into who you are. Yet so much of branding focuses on the business and not the person whose grit and vision drive it forward every day. (AKA you!)
That’s something I believe needs to change.
Allow me to have a quick megaphone moment here:
📣 A strong personal brand is an opportunity magnet! 📣
We know 67% of people will pay more when a founder’s personal brand matches their values. We know 48% of a business's reputation depends on the personal brand of its founder or owner. We even know that 45% of folks Google a person before doing business with them—so just imagine how wildly valuable it would be to have a personal brand strategy that clicks, sparkles, and feels authentic to your unique brilliance.
Not only would it build trust with your target audience, but it’d set you up for long-term professional success, thanks to a community of online followers who feel like they’re completely in sync with you and your values.
Sounds fantastic, right? But how do you turn it into a reality?
You embrace your individuality and start building an authentic personal brand that lets your personality shine (while delivering real value people won’t forget)—and I’ve got some simple tips to help you get started!
7 Small Habits That Make Your Personal Brand More Authentic
1. ADDING MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS TO YOUR POSTS
Details make stories more believable. They prove you know your stuff and add credibility to what you’re saying.
Here are a couple of examples:
“I attended Harvard Law School and graduated magna cum laude.”
“I attended Harvard Law School and graduated magna cum laude in 2005. During my time there, I was a dedicated member of the Environmental Law Society, as well as the Harvard Moot Court Board (HMCB).”
Notice how you’re more inclined to believe the second statement? This is because it convinces us the storyteller has deeper knowledge or a more concrete, exact recollection of events, which increases perceived authenticity.
You can replicate this effect in your personal branding by making more detailed statements in your social media posts, website content, and email newsletters.
For example, instead of:
“Excited about my new product!”
You could say:
“After 6 months of testing and 3 rounds of feedback, I’m finally launching my handcrafted soy candles—each scented with lavender from right here on my farm.”
2. SHARING YOUR DEEPER THOUGHT PROCESSES
Another great tip on how to be authentic in personal branding? Share the why behind your decision-making. As entrepreneurs, we tend to focus on action: the product we launched, the project we wrapped up successfully, the networking events we attended. But we often overlook that the thought processes that lead us to those actions can be powerful opportunities for authentic connection.
Here’s what sharing your “why” might look like:
“You’ll notice we’re switching to local suppliers this month. It costs a bit more, but we believe fresher ingredients and supporting local farms is worth the investment.”
“I’ll be posting less frequently this month to focus more on developing my next online course.”
“I picked these three products for our bundle because they’re our top sellers, and I want our loyal customers to be able to enjoy them all at a discounted rate!”
Remember, giving your audience context makes them feel like insiders, not just spectators.
3. REPOSTING CONTENT YOU RESONATE WITH
Feeling like you have to crank out new content 24/7 to stay relevant? That’s not the case! You can stay visible and show up with heart by resharing posts that genuinely speak to you. Your audience will love seeing you support other businesses, plus they’ll get to know you better through posts that highlight your values, beliefs, and vibe. It’s a win for your feed and a little breath of fresh air for you too!
4. USING YOUR ACTUAL VOICE FOR VOICEOVERS
Have you been using robotic, AI generated voiceovers or bland stock pictures? It’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make when trying to establish personal brand authenticity. Your audience can spot what’s real vs fake and they’ll likely gravitate towards competitors who show up as their true selves—unless you’re willing to make a change.
Even if it’s not studio-quality or perfectly rehearsed, using your own voice gives your content warmth, honesty, and personality. The same applies to using real photos of yourself. They add a human touch that stock images just can’t match!
5. POSTING WITHOUT A CTA (OCCASIONALLY)
Optimizing your social media posts to drive sales, bookings, or clicks is highly recommended—but not every post needs to end with a call to action. Sometimes, the purpose of a post can simply be to connect with your audience.
CTA-free posts make your followers feel like they’re part of your world, not just a target for your offers. Posting without always asking for something keeps your content balanced and stops your followers from feeling overwhelmed by nonstop promotions.
6. RECOMMENDING OTHERS WHEN YOU’RE NOT THE RIGHT FIT
Self-awareness is an invaluable trait when building an authentic personal brand. When you’re clear on your skills and where you add the most value, you can serve your audience with honesty and purpose, even if that sometimes means saying, ‘This isn’t for me, but here’s who can help.’
Choosing honesty over a sale shows people you have their best interests at heart, which makes them more likely to trust and respect you as a professional.
7. SHOWING GRATITUDE SINCERELY (AND OFTEN)
Gratitude plays a big role in learning how to build a personal brand that feels authentic and genuine. No matter how well you share your unique perspective or communicate your shared values to your audience, without occasionally expressing gratitude for your audience’s support, your strategy risks feeling distant and impersonal.
Luckily, showing a little gratitude is simple and goes a long way.
Here are a few ideas for inspiration:
Offering special deals as a token of appreciation for loyal customers or followers.
Replying to comments, online reviews, and messages with genuine gratitude.
Dedicating a monthly newsletter edition to thanking your audience and sharing positive news.
Drop a helpful guide, checklist, or video tutorial without an opt-in form or sales pitch—just to say thanks.
Give your loyal followers exclusive priority sign-ups for events, courses, or product launches.
MORE QUICK TIPS ON AUTHENTIC PERSONAL BRAND DEVELOPMENT
Avoid generic messaging. You know the phrases we’ve all heard before: ‘Striving for excellence’, ‘exceeding your expectations’, ‘your satisfaction is my top priority’. These lines are way too common—switch it up and talk like you would over coffee with a close friend.
Let go of the pressure to be perfect. Making mistakes is a normal part of life and business. Instead of brushing them under the rug, share how they’ve helped you improve and grow.
Commit to being consistent above everything else. When your online presence is in consistent alignment with your core values, areas of expertise, and vision for the future—everything else tends to fall into place. Stay true to your mission, and ensure every message, visual, and interaction reflects the real you.
Invite honest feedback. Welcoming input from others shows you’re open to hearing other perspectives and growing—and nothing is more respectable than someone who values self-improvement!
Showcase your humanity. Your personal brand doesn’t have to be strictly business. It’s okay to show the little quirks and interests that make you the person you are. Have a hyper-specific Starbucks coffee order? A song you love to blast when you need a mood boost? Do you collect obscure band t-shirts? Share it proudly and give your online presence a little extra personality.
Ready to Build an Authentic Personal Brand That’s Bold, Brilliant, and 100 Percent You?
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No fluff. No weird jargon. Just straight-up brand work that gets you noticed, remembered, and talked about for all the right reasons.