You know what I absolutely hate about tiktok? Is how many people get so caught up in parroting trends while never really learning how to be themselves in front of others. Straight up – I deleted that account a solid year ago after quickly realizing as funny as a couple of the clips were, it was the same thing over and over and over again. Boring, obnoxious and not at all where I wanted to focus my energy.
To be fair, I can totally appreciate integrating trending audio for reels to help people find your brand but can we agree that even those should be true to you and your brand?
If you REALLY want to stand out, I’d argue you should be worrying less over being trendy and focus more on just being real with people. If there’s anything people are craving as much as ever in the day of AI, Snapchat, filters and augmented reality its something real, authentic…something that meets them right where they’re at.
Your voice is what makes you unique and distinguishes you from others. Learning to speak to your audience in a way that is uniquely you is absolutely pivotal in going from being just another sound in the crowd to being heard loud and clear by your audience. It’s whats going to pull them in. Sure, it may push some away but that’s a GOOD thing as it’s going to help you weed out people who aren’t your people and develop a deeper connection with those that are; which is precisely what you want to cultivate a loyal following for your business.
When it comes to speaking to your audience, loudness does not equal volume!
Let’s talk about how you can amplify your voice in the marketplace.
The most important thing you can do when finding your voice is to be true to yourself. Don’t try to imitate someone else’s style or personality. Instead, be legit and speak from your own experiences and perspective. This will make your message more relatable and engaging to your audience.
Know Your People
Fact: Many businesses struggle because they really have NO clue as to who they’re talking to. They’re trying to talk to everybody among the crowd when, as great as their products and services may be, most of those people just don’t care. If you’re doing this with your ad dollars – you’re pissing money away. If you’re doing this with your time – you’re pissing money away.
Understanding your audience is essential to finding your voice. Take the time to learn about their interests, preferences, and values. This will help you tailor your message and approach to resonate with them. Don’t look for ways to “sell” a product or service. Look to present them with a solution or gift that speaks to what they’re really thinking/feeling/experiencing/wanting in their lives.
Tell Your Story
Sharing personal stories is a great way to connect with your audience and convey your message in a more real, down-to-earth kind of way. Stories can be a great tool to illustrate your points and make your message more memorable.
Here’s the thing though – you need to learn to use stories well. Sure, you might share stories just for their own entertainment value but as you lay out exactly what stories you want to share, think about how they connect with what you want your audience to learn, remember or do. Remember, the point is not to share for the sake of convincing them on how fascinating you are. Surely, you truly are an incredibly fascinating person. But make sure you save those stories for the right crowd in the right time and place.
As you step up to speak – on your podcast, in a reel, and, my oh my, especially your E-MAILS… you’re essentially saying “excuse me but can I have your attention please?!” Make sure that when they say “yes” and give you their time, they walk away feeling like it was worth it. This will encourage them to say yes again in the future and better nurture a longer relationship.
Focus on stories that speak to your target audience right where they are at in a way that makes sense with the message you came to bring them.
Embrace Your Quirks
Without getting too weird on us, learn to be okay with being human. Stop trying to tell us how you have it altogether. This posture only tells people they are not invited to be real with you. Beware of this connection barrier.
Everyone has their quirks and idiosyncrasies that make them unique. Don’t be afraid to embrace these quirks in your communication style. This will make you stand out and be more memorable to your audience.
Stand Shoulder-to-Shoulder
Stop talking AT your prospects. Posture (honestly) as you would with a friend you’re watching out for, using your expertise to protect and promote their interests.
Be Exclusive
Hear me loud and clear on this and know I mean zero offense. YOU ARE NOT FOR EVERYBODY. Your products and services aren’t for everybody and you wasting your time trying to pander to those who aren’t your people is a HUGE disservice to those who are. No one likes to think of leaving money on the table but I assure you, if you are genuinely out focusing your energies on meeting the needs of your real people, you are not.
Sometimes saying a cordial farewell to those who you’re not meant to reach is not only good for taking your business to the next level; it may very well prove tantamount to it.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Finding your voice takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and keep practicing until you feel comfortable and confident in your communication style. You may also want to consider getting feedback from others to help you refine your approach.
Remember, finding your voice is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and effort, but the payoff is worth it. When you learn to speak to your audience in a way that is uniquely you, you will establish deeper connections and build stronger relationships that will benefit you both personally and professionally.
