Authenticity in marketing helps you stand out in a crowded market. We thought the last two years were hard for business but now, there's the cost of living crisis to contend with. So standing out (for good reasons) is essential.
The website you're currently viewing (version 5.0) was a bit of a game-changer for me. I decided to follow my advice of being authentic and keeping it real and swapped the "we" for "me". If you visited before the change (pre-May 2022), you'd probably have got the impression that Straight Marketing was an agency with a big team. That's the perception I wanted to create.
But when I came to planning my new website, I realised I wasn't being the straightforward, no-fluff marketer I purport to be. So, as you'll see, I've ditched the "we", and now it's just "me". Authentic me.
The reality is, if you engage Straight Marketing for your marketing support, you get me (lucky you!). Although I've got a small but perfectly formed team of freelancers who support me when necessary, I'm always the day-to-day contact and the one who makes sure it happens. And now my website shouts that loud and clear.
Why is authenticity so important now?
Your prospects will be thinking harder about their purchasing decisions and becoming more risk-averse. Now more than ever, they will only want to shop with brands they trust. And authenticity and transparency engender trust.
How do you demonstrate authenticity in marketing?
- Be real - know what you stand for and demonstrate this to your prospects and customers.
- Stay consistent - only convey messages that are genuine and in sync with your brand values.
- Walk the talk - always deliver on your promises.
A major economic crisis forces change in habits which presents an opportunity as much as a challenge. If you can make your brand stand out as one to be trusted, you can maximise that opportunity.