This post may be a bit different from what you’re used to over here at Sequins and Sales! That being said, this has been something that’s weighed heavily on me lately. The influencer market has blown up, especially since I’ve started, and that makes it hard sometimes.
I feel like with the rise of third party companies who sell likes and followers and the rise of companies pushing numbers more than before, content creators feel trapped. The general public is sometimes wary of content creators and think we just “promote things for money.” Which is HALF true (for most bloggers).
In this post, I really want to highlight the importance, in my opinion, of being authentic as a content creator. That’s the one thing I can say that I’ve been consistent with since I started blogging and one aspect I don’t intend to change.
Why Authenticity As a Content Creator is Important
For You
The one person who will always be with you at all times is YOURSELF. You are the only one who is inside your brain at all time during the day. Being authentic is sometimes difficult; however, at the end of the day you’ll thank yourself for sticking to YOUR own values.
I personally know that even if my engagement rate may not be astronomical, I work hard, have an engaged audience, and I stick with who I am. With my blog and Instagram I work very (like 20-40 hours a week) to produce content. I work full-time and then spend my nights and weekends creating genuine content to help people.
Even if this DOES get frustrating at times (SEO is the worst guys), it’s ultimately what I love to do. I love writing, I and I love helping newer bloggers grow the way I did. At the end of the day I can say that I am authentic and true to myself.
For Your Brand
No matter what your niche or who you are “selling” your content to, you have a brand. My favorite part of business classes was that we were told to “sell ourselves” because that’s what you have to do for a job!
That’s also something you have to do as a content creator. Even if you aren’t selling a physical product, people are looking at what you’re doing, critiquing what you’re doing, and you’re under scrutiny.
It’s important to demonstrate that you and what you produce is authentic. You want a brand that you can be proud of. When people ask, you want to be excited and happy with what you’ve done!
For Companies
This is the big one. You obviously want to be authentic for brands. If you’re creating sponsored content, or even images to be reposted, you don’t want inauthentic content to drive them away.
This can be shown a few different ways! If you buy likes, it’s very easy to tell. If you’ve randomly had a spike where you were averaging 500-600 likes per photo and somehow jump consistently to 1000-1500 likes over night that’s suspicious.
Brands can tell when creators have done this and there are many different ways this can show up. Whether it’s weird foreign accounts, all people with private accounts and minimal followers, or other strange looking data, BRANDS CAN TELL.
Personally, if it was me, I would much rather prefer to hire someone who has a genuine following. They should have people who truly want to see their content! It’s also obvious when people buy followers as well.
This is something that I’ve noticed a lot of bloggers/influencers in my niche have started to do and it’s honestly upsetting. It makes me start to question if authenticity is ACTUALLY what people want. It makes me question how I personally do things and brands are starting to question this too.
For Other Content Creators
To my other blogger boss babes we have to stick together! It’s most definitely a rough industry and honestly most people don’t understand us. They don’t get monetization or even the work/effort that goes into what we do!
I personally lose a little bit of respect when a content creator takes the easy way out and buys likes/followers. I just don’t understand the need for that. Now yes, Instagram’s algorithm SUCKS sometimes, but that’s when you have to adapt, adjust, and count your losses.
I have met so many wonderful content creators (and people in general) from blogging! This is another reason I know that I want to be authentic so THEY respect ME as well! Authenticity with your peers is vital.
For Your Followers
This is obviously the BIGGEST reason you as a content creator should be authentic. Your followers are the reason you ARE where you’re at! They’re the reason you’re successful (even the bought ones) and you should honor them with your authentic self.
One way I try to keep the authenticity alive (mostly because I like hearing myself talk lol) is by sharing real life things on my Instagram stories! I sometimes talk politics, anxiety, coping with the loss of a pet, and even once about abortion! I want to be relatable because I treat my followers like friends especially if they reach out directly.
People follow you because they want to hear YOUR authentic voice and your take on whatever niche you’re in. Now, yes, sponsored posts are a thing, but content creators work hard for our money guys!!
The best thing about an authentic content creator though is that they accept sponsorships fro brands they trust and use. Some followers may never be okay with this, but other find it extremely helpful! I always try to reiterate how and when I use the product so my followers know it’s a brand I trust.
Authenticity is something I feel like a lot of content creators are starting to lose for a multitude of reasons. That being said, I seriously feel like it’s THE most important part of being one!
The areas I mentioned in this post are just some of the reasons why authenticity is important. There are still so many more! I didn’t write this to attack any other bloggers (get it how you live girl!), but I felt that I had to say what was weighing on my chest.
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LOVE LOVE LOVE this!! much needed! 🙂
Ahhh thank you!!!