Marketing isn’t about chasing the next trend or bending to the algorithm’s will. It’s about showing up: real, raw, and ready to connect. In a world full of polished perfection, human-first marketing cuts through the noise.
And the most powerful tool in your marketing kit? It’s you.
In this episode, I’m diving into why your quirks, your voice, and your presence are your biggest marketing assets. We’re unpacking what it means to be authentic, how to use AI without losing your voice, and ways to stay human in your marketing, without burning out.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to “keep up” or unsure how to show up online without selling out, this episode is your permission slip to simplify, show your face, and just be yourself.
Why Human-First Marketing Works
People buy from people. In an era of bots and auto-generated content, your humanity is what stands out. Human-first marketing is about connection, not perfection. It’s about leading with your values and sharing your story, not just pushing an offer.
Yes, I love AI and automation (and teach it too), but they should support your personality, not replace it. Your content should feel like a conversation with you, not a robot.
Ways to Add Authenticity to Your Marketing
Here’s how we keep things human in a world full of tech:
Be You, Loudly
- Use your real tone of voice, cheeky, heartfelt, curious, and passionate.
- Share behind-the-scenes moments, the messy middle, and the lightbulb wins.
- Tell stories. Real stories. Not polished scripts.
- Show your face, or if that’s daunting, use voiceovers, behind-the-scenes shots or even your hands at work.
Work with AI, Not Against It
- AI saves time, but it needs your tone.
- Talk to your tools. Teach them your style.
- Edit and tweak to sound like you.
Create Presence, Not Just Content
- Schedule and batch, yes, but leave room for spontaneous posts.
- Jump in live. Comment. Be real in the moment.
- A thoughtful selfie, a blooper reel, a raw voice memo, they all connect better than a perfectly produced post.
Algorithms Want Realness Too
We tend to fear the algorithm, but guess what? Algorithms favour real, engaging, human content. They love laughs, expressions, and even less-than-perfect thumbnails. So when you show up as you, the algorithm isn’t fighting you, it’s actually cheering you on.
Actions You Can Take Today
- Review your marketing: does it feel like you?
- Make space for more live or spontaneous content.
- Leave a blooper or an unpolished moment in.
- Align your content with your voice, not just your strategy.
And if you need a little nudge to keep things fresh and human, grab the 5 Minute Marketing Ideas Deck or the Inspire Engage Connect Deck. They’re designed to help you market with heart.
Want to go deeper? Inside The Ideas, Impact & Marketing Circle, we explore strategies like this together. We look at what works, what feels right, and how to market with impact and humanity. If that sounds like your kind of marketing, come join us.
If this episode spoke to you, share it with a business buddy who needs the reminder: you are your best marketing asset.
Highlights
- 00:00 The Power of Authentic Marketing
- 01:08 Human-First Marketing: Building Connections
- 01:25 Balancing Automation with Authenticity
- 01:43 Adding Personality to Your Content
- 02:04 Embracing Imperfection in Marketing
- 02:28 Leveraging Video and Voice in Marketing
- 03:03 Effective Use of Automation Tools
- 03:34 Examples of Human Marketing
- 04:10 Understanding Algorithms and Authenticity
- 04:48 Action Steps for Authentic Marketing
- 06:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
