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Real People, Real Results: Why authenticity trumps AI on TikTok, Instagram, and beyond
Leandra Medine doesn't write about things I'm particularly interested as a 30-year-old guy. But that hasn't stopped me from admiring her work and being a big fan of hers.
The NYC-based blogger turned author turned entrepreneur is the founder of Man Repeller, a popular women's blog that features content written by her, her staff of writers and contributors. I love her explanation of the blog's name,
"Good fashion is about pleasing women, not men, so as it happens, the trends that we love, men hate. And that is fantastic."
As she has continued to build Man Repeller, her own rep has grown congruently. She wrote a piece this week titled about "being an influencer," and I thought it was really well done. Here's the link. Her thoughts on being an influencer contain a ton of potential learnings for influencers or being aspiring to have more influence. Here's the quote,
"To be an ‘influencer’ means you’re a sell-out. That you take money to exist and sell an unrealistic life. And it can feel that way, but I also think the conversation around being a sell-out, or being inauthentic for making money from a sponsored post, is dated. You’re not a sell-out for taking money, you’re a sell-out if you sacrifice your point of view for the money."
In other words, it largely boils down to authenticity. Sponsored posts don't have to feel inauthentic and forced. I feel quite confident saying that what will eventually separate influencers who make a great living doing this and the ones who tail off is authenticity and maintaining a consistent, real voice.
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