Authentic Either Is or Is Not

Ever watched a musician or a politician change their persona? It seems that for every tour or campaign, they’re reinvented in a way that makes us take another look. No one seems to think anything of it.

And if the music tour flops or the election is lost, the musician or politician simply reinvents their persona and the organization starts over with a new definition.

I’ve been thinking about business and personal branding in the context of social media. A personal brand for business in social media is more complicated. We can’t change a social media personal brand the way that rockstars or politicians do. They have whole organization behind them and between them and their fans.

In social media, we live with our “constituencies.” We act. We interact. We earn or lose respect. We reveal our thoughts, values, and beliefs. We give our word, make promises, and develop reputation. We connect with authenticity and trust, or not.

But I submit that …

We cannot rebrand or reinvent real relationships with real people.

It’s the difference between a handshake with stranger and holding hands with with a best friend. It’s why Madonna and Clinton can reinvent themselves, and we cannot.

How can personal branding fit in authentic relationships?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!