We’ve all heard this before, “Try to please everyone and you please no one.” Everyone knows it’s true, but businesses continue to throw the same pitch down the middle of the plate.

What’s Real?

Your logo sucks. Your mission statement is shit. No one gives a fuck about your brand and what you do. There is too much noise out there. If you can’t jolt people out of their device-induced coma, then you don’t exist. Get them out of their comfort zone. Throw a pitch at their head. Hit them at a personal, emotional level, or don’t bother saying anything at all.

Some people call this being authentic, but I authentically hate that word. Henceforth, we shall refer to this as “The Truth”. 

All advertising, marketing, branding, and messaging is a lie until we deliver on the promise with The Truth. If you tell people you’re someone you’re not, you are forcing yourself to live a lie. (If you are doing it to make a dollar, what does that say about you?)

Self-reflection aside, over a long enough timeline it is nearly impossible to be someone you’re not. It will catch up with you. It will impact your business. In a bad way.

Make YOU Happy

I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to live the lie. In fact, the universe will reward you for simply being yourself. I want you to bring your personality, your emotion, and your identity to your business. Not because it makes other people happy (even though it will), but because it will make you happy. When you make you happy, it makes people want to be around you, and isn’t that what we all want for our businesses?

Disclaimer #1: I’m not condoning being unethical, dishonest, or corrupt, even if you believe this is your truest form of self. 

I am suggesting that being true to yourself, and letting your business be an absolute reflection of your truth will bring you happiness, joy, and a business that repays you hundreds of times over.

Let’s end the grandstanding here and talk about the steps to get there…

The Steps

Step 1: Describe your personality. Your likes, dislikes, hobbies, and stress relievers.

Step 2: Same exercise as Step 1, but this time use your family, friends, and the people you genuinely love to spend time with.

Step 3: Compare these personality traits with your business and the customers you serve. If everything matches up…Congratulations, that is The Truth! If not, then you’ve got some work to do.

It Ain’t Easy

I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s an easy fix, or that I have it all figured out myself. All too often I look at our messaging, branding, and marketing, and want to throw it all away. As a matter of fact, we have reworked, reworded, and rebuilt our own website no less than four times in two years. Each time moving closer and closer to being unapologetically “us”. It’s a process, but it’s worth it.

I’m not daring you (I’m skipping the double dare), I’m going straight to the triple dog dare. Find your line and cross it. Be vulnerable. Be transparent. Be The Truth.