Navigating authenticity, over-sharing in personal branding

By  Preciousgift Ajudie- Ogunsanya

In today’s digital age, developing a strong personal brand is essential for professionals and business owners seeking to differentiate themselves in competitive fields.

Regardless of whether you’re an influencer, entrepreneur, or working professional, your online presence can impact how you are perceived by your audience and even potential clients.

However, in the process of sharing content- there is a thin line between authenticity and oversharing that we must be mindful of when building our brand. Being Authentic usually involves sharing genuine experiences and insights that resonate with your audience.

It’s about being genuine, honest, and true to yourself and your values. Authenticity allows you to connect with your audience on a deeper level, building trust and credibility. When you’re authentic, your audience can relate to you and see you as a human, not just a brand.

While authenticity is important, over-sharing can be detrimental to your offline and offline brand personal brand. Over-sharing refers to sharing too much personal information or sharing inappropriate content that can damage your reputation.  It can make your audience uncomfortable and undermine your credibility.

Let’s meet Judith (not her real name), a young fashion entrepreneur with a physical fashion house at Magodo, Lagos. Judith decided to open an Instagram Page to publicize her craft and share fashion tips with her audience. At first, Judith’s Instagram Page gained popularity due to her authentic voice and relatable content.

However, as she became more focused on growing her following, Judith began to over-share personal details of her life that were unrelated to fashion.

Over time, her audience grew tired of the constant over-sharing and began to lose interest in her content. Judith’s brand suffered as a result and was forced to reevaluate her approach to personal branding.

One way to ensure that you are maintaining this balance is to regularly review your content and ask yourself if it aligns with your brand’s values and objectives. If it doesn’t, consider scaling back on the personal details and focusing more on providing value to your audience. Remember that it’s not about how much you share, but rather the quality and relevance of the information you provide that will ultimately determine the success of your brand.

For example, Oprah Winfrey is known for her authenticity and openness, but she also knows where to draw the line. She shares personal stories and experiences, but she does so in a way that is relatable and inspiring. Then there’s Elon Musk another example of someone who shares a lot on social media, but he also knows when to keep things private.

He’s open and authentic about his work and ideas, but would not be caught sharing every detail of his personal life. So how do you strike the right balance between authenticity and over-sharing?

Striking the right balance between authenticity and over-sharing is crucial in building a personal brand that resonates with your audience. Here are some in-depth tips to help you navigate this balance:

Define your and what not to share Online: Authenticity is about being genuine to yourself. Before you start sharing personal stories or experiences, take some time to reflect on your values, beliefs, and what makes you unique. This will help you stay true to yourself while avoiding oversharing.

Identify Your Audience: Understanding your audience is key to determining what to share and how much. Consider their demographics, interests, and preferences. Tailor your content to resonate with them while maintaining your authenticity.

Share with Purpose: Every piece of content you share should have a purpose. Whether it’s to inspire, educate, or entertain, ensure that your content adds value to your audience’s lives. This will help you build a strong connection with them.

Use Storytelling: Storytelling is a powerful tool for building a personal brand. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that illustrate your values, beliefs, and journey. This can help humanize your brand and make it more relatable to your audience.

Balance Professionalism and Personality: While being authentic, it’s important to maintain a level of professionalism that is appropriate for your industry and audience. Find a balance between showcasing your personality and maintaining a professional image.

Engage with Your Audience: Building a personal brand is not just about sharing content; it’s also about engaging with your audience. Respond to comments, messages, and feedback. This will help you build a loyal following and strengthen your brand’s authenticity.

Remember, building a personal brand is an ongoing process. Continuously evaluate your content and engagement strategies to note that it’s not about sharing everything—it’s really about sharing the right things.

Ajudie-Ogunsanya is a Personal Branding Specialist who helps professionals, changemakers, and retirees amplify and build powerful personal brands around their unique expertise and knowledge for increased impact, influence, and profit. She can be reached via her LinkedIn Page or her email at thepreciousgiftajudie@gmail.com for Speaking Engagements, Training, Media Placements, or Personal Branding Consultations