Be Authentic

People are such emotional beings that we often have suspicions when we interact with someone with no emotions. We also tend to not trust people with exaggerated emotions.

You need a careful balance in your podcast. Since most of us make and consume audio podcasts, we’re missing visual cues that help reinforce or clarify emotions.

For example, you can probably tell when someone is serious by the sternness on their face. Inversely, you can tell when they’re sarcastic by a sort of twinkle in their eyes or a slight smile.

Some of these subtle things can come through audio, but you may need to add a little more “bigger than life” energy behind anything you emote.

And it is important for you to emote! You’re probably not a news journalist helping shape opinion. You’re communicating in a more intimate nature, and your authenticity needs to match that.

If something frustrates you, let it show! If something saddens you, let it show! If something excites you, let it show!

Do keep in mind that the emotion you express is the emotion you attract. It’s possible to be positively critical when you don’t like something.

Authenticity is also different from transparency. Authenticity means being real, genuine, not false, representing yourself accurately. Transparency is being open, vulnerable, and candid.

The two aren’t mutually exclusive. They’re also not both necessary.

I do believe you should always be authentic (with that little bit of a boost so you come through better in audio). Transparency, however, is like salt to food. A little bit of transparency can go a long way in building a deeper connection with your audience. But too much transparency could seem obnoxious, off-putting, and even selfish.

Transparency, by itself, is not very tasteful. Instead, look at transparency as a way to support your authenticity.