Photo taken from @adashofdee
We had the pleasure of hearing from Dee Thomson this week. A blogger from Hamilton, who gave advice on navigating the digital influence world. For those who don’t know, Dee is not a typical blogger. Her sincerity and unfiltered approach to content creation has won her a loyal audience. She established an environment where people trust her advice by being genuine and honest with her followers, which helped her grow her brand. She provided valuable guidance to those of us hoping to leave our mark in the media landscape.
She highlighted the importance of being genuine and upholding your values in the digital space, particularly when it comes to accepting brand deals. “Don’t jump on every opportunity that comes your way, just take the ones that actually fit and speak to you,” was Thomson’s straightforward but impactful message. In other words, avoid accepting brand partnerships that clash with your values or identity. She reinforced throughout the presentation how important it is to be true to yourself, even when offers begin to roll in. Instead of taking any chance to make money, she believes that it’s more important to keep a trustworthy relationship with her followers.
Let’s be honest, we’ve all seen influencers and bloggers push products that appear totally off-brand for them. It gives off a sense of inauthenticity, as if they aren’t being genuine to themselves and are only interested in making a paycheck. You know…the blogger who has been writing about living sustainably and then suddenly jumps into a fast fashion paid advertisement. It can be disappointing, especially if you have been following them for their ethics and content.
I have a strong interest in social media and digital marketing, and I have personally witnessed how simple it is for influencers to promote products that are in contradiction to their own brands. It’s something I’ve found difficult to understand, and it’s made me doubt the legitimacy of some creators. The authenticity of influencers is questioned when they endorse things that aren’t in line with their beliefs or brand. I’m always learning about the importance of authenticity and branding, particularly with today’s hyper-aware internet audience. Dee highlighted that we must use caution in our choice of collaborations. When we promote things that we don’t truly believe in, it will show. Although it’s simple to give in to offers, in the long run, sticking to your values will win you a bigger, more loyal following.
Dee’s message is a crucial reminder that your biggest asset is your authenticity. It all comes down to recognizing your identity, your principles, and having the confidence to turn down opportunities that don’t fit with what you stand for. She encourages us to take a moment and consider what truly matters in a world where everything moves so quickly, and creating content often seems like a race. The most authentic voice will always shine in the depths of #sponsored posts, so let’s focus on being genuine.
And never forget, people follow you for who you are, not for what you can sell them ! 😉
– Sabrina
09/19/2024