Authenticity: What It Is And What It Means To Me

So, I know we’re far enough from the new year that most of us have stopped focusing on the end-of-the-year trends of 2023 and the new-year trends of 2024, with a few exceptions. (I’m looking at you, Oscar season!) However, one trend still sticks out in my head and I think it’s vital that we continue to talk about it because it will, no doubt, continue to play a role well into this year. 

That trend is “authenticity.” 

Photo from Canva

Everyone is talking about being more authentic, whether online through social media or in everyday life when chatting with friends. As AI continues to rise (and, trust me, I’ll be talking about THAT soon in a different post), having an authentic voice that stands out amongst the generated content flooding the internet will be imperative for writers and businesses alike. 

First, you need to identify what authenticity means to you and what your authentic voice sounds like. 

What is Authentic?

According to Merriam-Webster, “authentic” can mean one of three things:

1. “Not false or imitation: real, actual.”

2. “True to one’s own personality, spirit, or character.” 

3. “Worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact; made or done the same way as an original.” 

Real. Original. True to one’s self. These are what make one authentic. 

It seems simple. at first, but in a world that revolves around trends and influencers, it’s difficult to untangle your personal, authentic self from the internet’s definition of “authentic.” That’s why, before you do anything about developing an authentic presence for yourself, your company, or your story, you first have to understand what is authentic to YOU. 

This is the uncomfortable part of authenticity because it hinges on asking yourself a lot of deep questions like “Have you always been authentic to yourself, or have you shaped your opinions and actions around other people’s definitions of ‘good’ or ‘authentic?” Or “Have you silenced your excitement, passion, and authenticity because someone told you it was ‘too much?’” 

This exercise is mostly trial and error. I speak from experience when I say it feels like trying on twenty pairs of jeans, finding what you like and hate about each, only to leave the store with one pair that feels perfect. It’s long and frustrating, but at the end of the day, it’s well worth the work when you see the content for your social media or the layout for your company website, and it truly feels like a reflection of YOU. 

What is an Authentic “Voice?”

After you discover what is authentic to you, it’s time to develop your authentic “voice.” The best way I’ve been able to describe the authentic voice is what it feels like when you have a conversation in your head. If it helps, think about your favorite writers and how you can identify them by how they write. That’s their voice.

What does that head voice sound like? Is it casual, like a chat between friends? Or is it like the movies where the voice sounds more like Samual L Jackson or Julie Andrews? 

When I explain translating a “voice” into the copy of a new client, I often have them reflect on what that little voice sounds like on paper. 

• Are they short, quick sentences? Or are they longer and more detailed? 

• What kind of language do you use? 

• Is it philosophical and poetic or more sarcastic? 

Identifying these details will help you understand the voice that your audience will hear when they think of you and your brand.

Now, this can be tricky if you’re looking to also develop a brand voice for yourself or your business that feels authentic to you. You have to balance your authentic voice with something at least somewhat professional (I say “somewhat” because what’s deemed as “professional” has been rapidly changing over the years). However, it is possible to edit your authentic voice enough that it still feels true without being too unprofessional. All you need is the right copy editor. 

My Journey With Authenticity

Over the past few months, I’ve become passionate about developing your authentic self and voice in your copy because I’ve struggled with my own voice for years.

I’ll be honest (and authentic) about my experience. Having discovered my love of writing at a young age, I have had years of studying how others write. Unfortunately, it means that I also started writing for others at a very formative age. When I should have been experimenting and discovering my voice, I wrote for yearbooks, newspapers, and eventually for clients whose voices I had to adapt.

I’m good at what I do, but it has been a personal struggle for a long time, and I’m still working on it. I’ve discovered that my voice is slightly casual and insightful. It tends to be filled with little sides of humor or ellipses so the reader can understand how I would say something in person. Every day, this voice feels more and more like myself. 

That’s why one of my goals this year is to write more of these blogs filled with authenticity, knowledge, and my thoughts about what’s on the horizon for storytelling/copywriting around the world. Plus, I might include a few pieces about my experience as a copywriter, screenwriter, and script supervisor. 

I call this exercise “just do the thing!” 

The more I write, the more I can continue to develop my authentic voice, becoming a better writer for myself and the clients who depend on me to convey authenticity to their audiences. After all, if I want to help people discover how to tell their stories authentically, I need to lead by example first.