Being authentic – Getting it right on social media
We are vulnerable when authentic, disingenuous when we are fake. We feel like an imposter if we are complimented and feel vilified if being challenged.
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We live in
We have heard it on all the podcasts, blogs and webinars about social media – the more authentic we are, the more successful we will be. We are told that our ideal customers want to participate in our journeys warts and all. But this can leave us more open to being genuinely hurt by criticism. Social media can leave bruises.
So should you be your authentic self or a version of yourself that is on-line ‘safe’?
We all have different compartments to our lives. For me it’s changemaker, business partner, writer, activist, hobby farmer, beekeeper, gardener, mother, wife, friend, yoga devotee. Collectively these areas make up my persona, individually they represent different groups, different people, different needs.
So what do I show where to be authentic whilst protecting my private sense of self? I haven’t found the answer to that!
Many people believe in being their “true self” no matter the situation: What you see is what you get. They put it all out there, basically telling the world “love me or hate me, this is who I am.” Think Constance Hall. I just love her and how she has been able to encourage women to act on issues such as pap smears! But I could not see myself sharing like that!
Other people show their ‘Fakebook’ selves – all glamour and success. I think we all understand how that works.
Is the happy medium somewhere in between? Perhaps it comes down to the golden rule of most platforms – as a business – before you share – how is what you are sharing adding value/providing joy to someone else?
Is that an answer?
