How to Be Authentic on Instagram

Portraying your authentic self on Instagram makes your experiences and interactions a lot more meaningful. Since Instagram is such a public platform, it's normal to want to show the best aspects of your life, but if that's all you post, your profile can end up feeling overly curated and dishonest. There are lots of ways to prevent that, though! We’ll start with tricks that anyone can use to improve their authenticity on Instagram and then move into some specific tips for brands and influencers.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Create and share original content.

1. Original content that reflects who you are is peak authenticity. It’s fine to share content created by other people occasionally (as long as you credit them), but if you want your true personality to shine through, the content needs to be created by you and reflect your real personality. Try to cultivate your own unique style, both aesthetically and through audience engagement.^[1]
   
   • Really think about your content before you post. Make it a point to use imagery and ideas that come from within each time.^[2]
   • For example, if you're an avid hiker, you might post images of scenic landscapes from your outings. Common themes might appear in your images because you're drawn to certain things, like unusual trees and plants. Go with what you're drawn to and build on that to create your own unique style.

[Edit]Use hashtags to attract like-minded followers.

1. Hashtags help you connect more quickly to your ideal audience. Using hashtags is one of the best and easiest ways to connect with people who are similar to you or who share your interests. Shared interests and passions create strong connections that feel communal and authentic.^[3]
   
   • For example, if you're into science fiction novels, try hashtags like "#sciencefiction," "#scifi," and "#scifiart."

[Edit]Engage with your followers on a real level.

1. Interaction shows others that you’re a person not a product. Engagement takes time and effort, but that's how authentic connections are forged! To engage in a meaningful way, follow other people, comment and “like” their posts, and reply to thoughtful DMs and comments on your posts.^[4]
   
   • It's also important to show appreciation, especially as your audience gets bigger. Remember to thank them for their support regularly.^[5]

[Edit]Limit your use of Photoshop and heavy filters.

1. Perfection isn't sincere or relatable. Social media always involves some level of curation, but you don't want your Instagram platform to feel like a performance. Cranking up the contrast or saturation can look cool, and using filters like FaceTune might make you feel more confident, but your followers can’t relate to perfection. At the end of the day, perfection just isn’t real or honest.^[6]
   
   • You don't need to completely avoid cool filters or Photoshop, but avoid using them in every single post.

[Edit]Post images that don’t feel hyper-curated.

1. Showcasing only your best moments paints a fake portrait. The desire to portray your best self on social media is completely natural and understandable. However, if all you post are images are of you meeting cool people, doing cool things, or traveling to exotic places, you’re curating the story of your life rather than honestly depicting it.^[7]
   
   • That doesn’t mean you have to post images of you at your worst or reveal private aspects of your personal life that are embarrassing or humiliating. Just try to avoid treating Instagram like a highlight reel of your life.
   • Pepper in occasional images of you acting goofy with your friends, doing silly things, and looking less-than-perfect to strike a balance between honesty and curation.^[8]

[Edit]Post manually rather than using automated tools.

1. Going fully automated usually feels robotic, aloof, and callous. Automation tools can definitely help your brand meet marketing goals and complete more tasks every day, but overusing them breaks the human connection you have with your followers. That doesn’t mean you can’t ever use these convenient tools, but try to engage in a manual, organic way at least once a day.^[9]
   
   • Spending hours on social media every day simply isn’t feasible. When you're busy, aim to comment, like, or respond to people a couple of times throughout the day. This won't take tons of time and goes a long way toward humanizing your brand.

[Edit]Maintain a consistent style as your brand grows.

1. Super-slick images and videos tend to feel like blatant advertising. It’s normal to use more professional equipment as your brand grows, but don’t overdo it. As an influencer, you want to present polished images to your audience, but going too far could alienate them. Try to maintain the same style and look that attracted your followers in the first place.^[10]
   
   • For example, upgrading to more professional camera equipment makes sense, but you probably don’t need to invest in high-end stuff like drones.
   • If you've always posted colorful and quirky images from your beach travel adventures, that's the style your audience expects from you. Be sure to maintain that as your brand develops! That doesn't mean you can't evolve or try new things, but if you suddenly start posting stark images of urban locales, your audience will be pretty confused.

[Edit]Aim to create a community, not a fan base.

1. Ask your followers for their preferences and feedback. It’s easy to get caught up in brand-building and forget that you’re conversing with actual human beings, not just faceless followers or customers. Create a more personal atmosphere by asking your followers what you can do to improve both your brand and your content. Demonstrate that you care about their needs and want to provide the best product, service, or experience possible.^[11]
   
   • For example, if you do a weekly podcast, ask your followers if they prefer how-to episodes or episodes with guest interviews.
   • If you’re a radio DJ, ask your followers if they like your voice spots between songs, or if they’d rather have uninterrupted blocks of music.

[Edit]Cultivate relationships with brands that share your values.

1. Vet brands and/or individuals before partnering with them. Working with and cross-promoting brands that aren't on the same page as you devalues your brand and comes off as fake to your followers. Build relationships with brands/people that complement your own goals to create authentic connections in the public eye.^[12]
   
   • For example, if your brand values gender equality and you often emphasize creative women in your content, partnering with women in your industry who own and operate their own businesses would be advantageous and authentic.
   • To cultivate relationships, start by researching hash tags in your niche to explore what your industry peers are doing. For example, if you're a zero-waste skin care brand that uses organic ingredients, check out other organic beauty brands and zero-waste packaging companies.
   • DM brands that stand out or have a similar/complementary vibe to your own about possibly working together. You might suggest ideas like cross-promoting each other's products, teaming up to offer discount codes to customers, or collaborating on a joint product.

[Edit]Break up sponsored content with normal selfies and posts.

1. Posting non-stop sponsored content can be distracting or off-putting. Constant marketing makes people feel like you want one thing from them—their money. As an influencer, sponsored content is your bread and butter, but if you start focusing only on sponsored content and let your personality fall through the cracks, your followers might start hitting that “unfollow” button.^[13]
   

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1354856520902136
2. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/08/23/nine-ways-to-grow-a-more-authentic-follower-base-on-instagram/?sh=187a2d681b8b
3. ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/345463
4. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/08/23/nine-ways-to-grow-a-more-authentic-follower-base-on-instagram/?sh=187a2d681b8b
5. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1354856520902136
6. ↑ https://www.stanforddaily.com/2019/05/20/instagram-and-your-life-story/
7. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1354856520902136
8. ↑ https://www.stanforddaily.com/2019/05/20/instagram-and-your-life-story/
9. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/08/23/nine-ways-to-grow-a-more-authentic-follower-base-on-instagram/?sh=187a2d681b8b
10. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1354856520902136
11. ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/345463
12. ↑ https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/how-to-be-authentic-perfectly-curated-world-instagram
13. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1354856520902136