Do your prospects and clients see you as a logo instead of a real person?

Are you showing who you are in your communication, content and marketing?

Whether you’re posting on social media, emailing your database, or filming your next video, your personality is what separates you from anyone else out there.

When you think about the people you enjoy following online, I’m sure you feel a connection to them. You probably feel like you know them even though you’ve never met them in person before.

Personality makes your marketing more authentic and you more approachable.

Adding a hint of your personality to your communication is a great way to build an emotional connection with your audience, engage more viewers, and make your business more relatable.

Personality empowers you to create relationships before you’ve ever met your next client because they feel like they already know you.

Yet, many small business owners aren’t sure how to show themselves or they feel awkward doing it in their marketing.

To help you… here are 10 ideas how to authentically and confidently inject some personality into your marketing:

1. Tell Your Story

Every company started somewhere. Going back to where you started and sharing the story of your journey can add a great personal touch. Don’t be afraid to be open and honest. Share relevant life experiences. If you had to overcome challenges, share about them.

2. Blog. Blog. Blog.

If you don’t have a blog – start one. If you don’t publish on a regular basis – do it. Your blog is the perfect tool to let your personality shine. Remember – the content you’re sharing is part of the experience you’re providing to your clients or future clients. You’re not sharing because you want the whole world to know everything about you. You’re sharing to help a small, select group of people overcome a problem they’re facing.

3. Write With Personality

Being authentic doesn’t have to mean revealing your soul. You can share honestly about your working life without talking about the things that feel private and sacred to you, like your health or family life. Or perhaps you’re someone who feels comfortable sharing some aspects of your personal life, but you draw the line at talking about the struggles you’re facing in your business.

4. Write Like You Talk

Writing the way you talk helps you get clearer about who you are in your business and who you’re here to help. And it’ll help you attract like-minded people who want to work with you because it feels familiar and unique and they like who you are. After you write something, read it back to yourself out loud. Does it sound like you? Does it feel natural? Would you feel comfortable saying the same thing to someone face-to-face?

5. Share Personal Experiences

Make a list of some of the most exciting experiences you’ve had (e.g. an illness you’ve overcome, the birth of your child, a special trip you took, falling in love…) Then find a way to use this life story to demonstrate a point or teach a lesson to your audience (e.g. I often shared the story of an extreme asthma attack that led me to a healing path – to teach the value of “enough is enough” moments).

6. Show Your Face on Camera

Visual content is a big part of marketing, and it’s the perfect tool to really show who you are. Each image you create and share should align with your online personality. For example, if you focus on showing your exciting, fun-loving personality you will use different photos of you than if you want to emphasize a trustworthy, meticulous personality.

7. Get. On. Video.
Have you ever watched a video and felt like you knew the person on the other side of it? That’s because video allows you to communicate in the most authentic way. Be yourself. Let your passion shine through. Speak naturally as if you’re chatting to a friend. Don’t try to be perfect – not in your words, nor in the production. Go behind the scenes (your office, home, outdoors…)

8. Show Off Your Team
A great way to introduce your personality into your marketing is to post (once in a while) about your team (in-house or freelancers). People relate to people. It can be as simple as a photo of your team members in the office, behind the scenes, or in a company activity.

9. Use User-Generated Content
User-generated content is text, images, videos, or reviews that are created by your followers and clients. This is an amazing opportunity to add personality and a human touch to your marketing. Ask them to share their success (and struggle) stories, upload photos or videos relating to what you’re doing (or using your products – if applicable), or interview them for case studies…

10. Engage. Engage. Engage.

When you talk to followers, prospects and clients online (either on social media or your blog), you’re letting your personality shine through and people are getting a glimpse of the person behind the business. Ask questions, answer their questions, respond to their concerns, compliment them, confront them… become a trusted friend.

Now It’s YOUR Turn

For five minutes… come up with as many ideas as you can… what can YOU do to inject more of your personality into your business/marketing?