What Turns Me On (and Off) About Your Online Brand in 3 Seconds Flat
- Julie Granger
- Apr 7
- 6 min read
The case for realness in a world that’s algorithm-obsessed and perfectly filtered.
Maybe it’s because I’m 41 and I’m just past the point of filtering myself or pretending to be something I’m not—and I value people who do the same.
You too? Welcome. Keep reading.
Maybe it’s because the online world has gotten so curated—a competition for attention and besting the algorithm instead of a space for real connection.
Maybe it’s because the highly sensitive, intuitive part of me is interested in all of you—not just your shiny, polished, presentable parts.
Maybe it’s because, as a card-carrying introvert, I’m just done with small talk.
My Authenticity Bloodhound Is on the Case
When I’m thinking about collaborating or working with someone I’ve found online, my authenticity bloodhound sniffer goes to work.
And let me tell you—there are a lot of things it’ll sniff out that turn me away almost immediately.
Some of those things might surprise you.Especially if you’ve been taught by some marketing guru on the internet—who knows nothing about you—to show up online the “right” way.
Let’s Just Cut to It
Because I value honesty, I’m just going to say it:
If I open up your Instagram and it looks like someone spent way too much time on Canva… I’m clicking away.
And before you come at me—Yes, much of my online content has indeed been designed with tools like Canva.
Let me be clear: I’m not hating on using designed posts or fun branding in general.
I’m an artist. I love a clean font, a crisp line, a clever logo, and solid branding.
But I’m talking about when it ONLY looks like one big fat graphic design template threw up all over your feed.
If you know what I’m talking about, you know.
It's Not Just Your Feed, Either
If your emails are just one offer after another—with no depth, meaning, or connection—I’m unsubscribing.
If your blog or website only tells me about the wins and feel-good client outcomes (because someone told you to wallpaper your site with success to build credibility)—I’m closing my laptop.
If your IG Live is just facts, figures, and credentials on parade—I’m out.
And it’s not because I don’t want to support you.
It’s not because I want to sit up here and preach.
It’s not because I don’t want to see you win.
No—I really do. Which is exactly why I’m writing this.
I Want to Know You. Like, Really Know You.
If I want to collaborate or work with you, I want to know you.
Capital K "Know."
I want to see your heights and your depths.Not just the shiny wins—but the struggles, the rock bottom moments, the slippery slopes, the “building muscle in the gym” reps as you climbed out and learned your lessons.
And I don’t want to just see that you’re hiding behind client stories—I want to see your stories.
I want to see what made you care in the first place.I want to see what makes you get up every day.I want to see why you created the things you’re promoting.I want to see what motivates you.
People Can Feel What’s Real
If you’re always making offers, it starts to feel like your only motivation is to make money or get clients.
And maybe that’s part of it.But what else?
I want the behind-the-scenes, not just the glossy end result.
And for what it’s worth—I want to see the average, everyday stuff, too.
Do we have the same hairstylist?
How do you take your coffee? (Oh, you hate coffee? I may find this suspicious, but I respect it.)
Does your back hurt today? Mine too.
Do you shove piles of laundry out of frame before you snap a selfie or do you just let it be?
When You Are the Face of Your Brand…
I just interviewed a brilliant guest for my podcast (btw, you should totally subscribe 👀), and we talked about how when you are the face of your brand—even when other people are posting or writing for you—we need to see you.
Your brilliance, charm, expertise, and client outcomes are incredible.
But they’re not the only reasons someone wants to hire you, befriend you, or work with you.
Your before-and-after posts are inspiring.But they don't tell us about the middle.
Your screenshot DMs are impressive.But they don't tell me about the trenches.
We Want Your Humanity, Too
Especially if you do deep, intimate work with people.
We need to see that you’ve navigated and continue to navigate the depths yourself.
That’s how you build a brand rooted in integrity and trust, instead of hiding behind a veneer of graphic design.
This is not 2017 anymore.
People want to see your depths. Your darkness.
The parts you think are boring or irrelevant—those are the parts that help us feel connected, seen, and most importantly… safe with you.
But Let Me Be Clear…
I’m not saying your Instagram should become your own personal therapy session.
This isn’t about trauma-dumping or asking your audience to hold your emotional process.
I don’t need to be there for your child’s birth.I don’t need to hear backhanded comments about your husband.
I’m talking about letting go of ONLY sharing the filtered version of you—the one that only shows:
✨ Success
✨ Aesthetic
✨ Results
✨ Vacations
✨ Good vibes only
Those versions are fun and impressive. But they don’t tell the whole story.
(Bonus points though: if you show me pics of your dogs, that’s an instant level-up.)
Authenticity Doesn’t Have to Be So Rigid
In the work I do, clients often feel a tug to be more authentic—at work, with family, in social interactions, and of course, online.
They hate the slippery slope of fakeness that often comes with online spaces.They swear it off.They unsubscribe.They block people left and right.
I’m all about boundaries, especially when they help you feel safe and rooted in yourself—and in the people around you.
But showing up authentically doesn’t have to be strict or rigid.
Forget the Frameworks
There’s a real movement—especially among women—to step away from the "fake it ‘til you make it" vibe.
If you’re like me, your bloodhound intuition can sniff out inauthenticity from a mile away.
And you can also sniff out the real deal.
The ones who aren’t sugar coating.Who aren’t filtering.Who aren’t manipulating connection.
You can feel it when someone’s speaking truth.
And it’s beautiful.
So How Do You Do It?
You might wonder how you can show up in this way without it feeling so messy.
I wish I could tell you there’s a quick framework to follow.
(Spoiler: a lot of people try to sell one.)
But let’s be honest—it’s hilarious to think that anyone else can truly tell YOU how to be YOU. LMAO.
Here’s the real truth:
You can’t skip the messy parts.
And if there were a secret formula, it would be this:
👉 If you want to stop pretending to be something you’re not, you have to get comfortable telling the stories about your deeper, darker experiences.
But that comfort only comes when you’ve done enough healing inside yourself to hold them.
You must be able to tell the truth to yourself, first.
Safety Starts With You
As Brené Brown says:
“It’s not vulnerability or authenticity if you’re sharing deeper truths to hotwire connection.”
If you're sharing to get people to swoon, feel bad for you, defend you, or crown you…
That’s not vulnerability.That’s unintentional manipulation at best—and narcissism at worst.
Real trust is forged when someone sees you and says:
“Hey, me too. I get it. She gets me.”
Real trust is forged when someone doesn’t feel the need to reach through the internet and fix it for you.
Vulnerability Is Risky—But It’s Worth It
Even if you’ve healed and processed something, someone out there might still be creepy about it.
Or try to make it about them. Or misinterpret it through their own unprocessed pain.
That’s the risk that comes with vulnerability.
But the vast majority of people?
They’ll just see you. They’ll connect. They’ll feel safe with you.
That’s what draws people closer.
That’s the Kind of Brand I Trust
That’s what makes me want to:
Get to know you
Befriend you
Collaborate with you
Hire you
Buy from you
When you sink in and do the work—When you ethically and respectfully show the process and not just the outcome—That’s the swoonworthy content that changes lives.
Let’s Be Real Together
If you’re looking for someone to hold space and wave pom poms as you navigate the vulnerability to show up as fully you—whether that’s online, offline, or both—
You know where to find me.
Comments