Why ‘Being Real’ Might Be Ruining Your Brand

Being real doesn’t mean you should shatter people’s perception of your brand as a professional.

The only thing that will make a complete stranger give you huge figures for your service is that you’ve successfully engineered them to think and believe that you’re worth it.

Worth is perception, first.

Unfortunately, that can rarely happen by simply “being real” the way many people think.

For instance, there are many photos and videos of you that should NEVER make it to the public domain IF you want to control how people perceive you.

These are some of the things I clearly explained in my program, Building Your Business on Social Media.

Some people take pictures that intentionally make a caricature of themselves and share them on social media, believing they are “being real.”

Well, the sad news is that if you do that, you’re unconsciously damaging your brand perception without realizing it.

Some time ago, while listening to John Obidi speak during his Night School session, he would always encourage viewers NOT to screenshot him when his composure was at 10%. He preferred 100% composure, sprinkled with wit.

I doubt he said that without fully understanding the consequences of such photos.

Naturally, many would want to screenshot him when he was jesting to add some flavor to the show.

He understands the game.

That people’s perception of YOU sells you, not just the knowledge you have.

Unless you want to do business only with people at your current level—those within your means and those who think just like you—you must continuously prime your perception to the top.

I understand that we all don’t have the luxury of an idyllic ambiance, but come on…

• Goat screaming in the background? When you’re not a farmer?
• Birds chirping loudly when you’re not showcasing the serenity of a forest reserve?

You already know these things obstruct the delivery of your message.

I remember when I started working with clients from Europe and America. Most times, we’d be on calls, and before you know it, my neighbor would start his generator. A call that was supposed to last an hour would be cut short in 20 minutes because they just couldn’t take the noise anymore.

And then you’d get that unspoken “after all the money we’re paying you?” look.

They may not say it out loud, but you need to observe their countenance and expressions.

So, here’s what I suggested in one of the videos in Building Your Business on Social Media:

• You know when noise is most likely to happen in your neighborhood—avoid those times when making your videos.
• You know when electricity will be off—plan around it.
• If you don’t have the best phone, borrow one from a friend for a quality photoshoot while working on getting yours.
• If your background is messy, buy a curtain and use it as your backdrop.

Your worth is a game of perception.
Worth is perception, first.

Guide it jealously.