Heidi Ames’ Post

View profile for Heidi Ames, graphic

When "good enough" is no longer good enough – Strategic Brand, Visual, and Graphic Design for coaches and leaders ready to level up their image

Have you ever been misled by someone who hid their true character, overstated their skills, or falsely represented their values? Whatever the scope, that kind of deception is an indisputable way to destroy trust and ruin a blossoming or existing relationship. That's why authenticity matters. It builds trust and credibility, demonstrates integrity and value. It makes you more relatable, encourages engagement, and establishes a solid foundation for a relationship to form and grow. Show up authentically: consistently communicate your core values, own your strengths, face your fears, and claim your true character, quirks and all. Don't conform to who you think you are "expected" or "supposed" to be. If you have to put on an act for someone to like, value, or want to work with you, they are simply not a good fit. Be true to yourself and move on. You'll be happy that you did. The right people are out there, and those connections will be deeper, longer lasting, and more meaningful. Authenticity is a practice — an actionable way of thinking, learning, and being — in business and in life. It's not always easy, but it is rewarding. So... Do you. Be you. Do be do be you. It's all good.

  • Graphic image: Do you. Be you. do be do be you. The value of authenticity
Liviu PETRI

I work with people on getting the energy, confidence, and tools required to step into meaningful and purposeful professional paths, later in their careers | Entrepreneur | Ocean sailor | Mentor | Speaker

9mo

I love this: "If you have to put on an act for someone to like, value, or want to work with you, they are simply not a good fit. Be true to yourself and move on." Authenticity is a practice — an actionable way of thinking, learning, and being — in business and in life." As Oliver Cromwell once said: "With warts and all!", or more recently Jeff Bezos: "The world wants you to be typical – in a thousand ways, it pulls at you. Don’t let it happen." #personalbrand #authenticity #bewhoyouare #futureismade #upwardthrust

Like
Reply
Val Roskens Tews

Content marketing writer for authors and coaches | Your "partner writer" to help you share your message and build a community of *business friends*🦋 | “Customized Author Promotion” and “Conversation to Content Method”

9mo

Heidi Ames - this is what makes the difference when a person chooses to be who they really are: "It makes you more relatable, encourages engagement, and establishes a solid foundation for a relationship to form and grow." Make the connection and then build community through genuine relationships. The "know, like, and trust factor" really does matter. You can't get to really know a person if you're pretending to be someone else. Great thoughts to reflect on and then act upon! 🦋

Margaret J Wilson, M.S.

Equine Assisted Coach & Marketing Strategist for Horse Industry

9mo

Heidi, I love this graphic and its content! I have always been an advocate for authenticity long before it became a mainstream term. Growing up, my parents gave me that freedom to be me and it has carried on throughout my life and business practices. I am so glad it is being embraced, promoted and valued in the workplace, in business as well as in our daily lives. And as the face of our businesses depends on being authentic, those that are authentic will benefit in the long haul. Here's to being ME.

Like
Reply
David Robert (Dave) Lambert

Case Studies • In-depth Research • AI Prompt Engineer • 501(c)(3) GuideStar Profile writer and administrator • Website audit • Sales Enablement • A/V script development • Copy Editing and more

9mo

Heidi Ames, I'm a content writer for nonprofits. They may be authentically concerned for the people they help but many are too busy to be "transparent," the other side of your "authentic" coin. They need a clear, succinct story of who they are, what they do, how they do it, who they help, with what programs, and the outcomes of those programs. That's why having a great GuideStar Profile is so important. You pointed out that many of these same traits apply to freelance writers. Thanks for your thoughtful post!

Like
Reply
Ilise Benun

Business Coach & Mentor for Designers, Copywriters & Creative Pros. Let me help you get better clients with bigger budgets.

9mo

Love this Heidi Ames and I agree, of course, and think this is what will become more and more important as AI takes hold. But it's not easy to "be you" -- hence, the practice you mention, lots and lots of practice!

Mike Tavella, PE

📚 Engineer by Trade, Copywriter by Passion | Transforming tech Ideas into Words. Call for a free consult 907-602-0666

9mo

Heidi, for a designer, you write well😉 You meme reminds me of an old graffito I saw many years ago: To do is to be - Socrates To be is to do - Plato Do be do be do - Sinatra...

Mariah Edgington

Holistic Integrative Therapy Nurse • Mindset Mentor • Retired ER, ICU, Flight Nurse • Neurodiversity Advocate • TEDxSpeaker • Keynote Speaker • DEI Certified • Best-Selling Author

9mo

Absolutely. Then I've not only felt silly, I felt duped. I love working with people who live their values Heidi Ames. I look forward to following your content.

Sara Mears

Entrepreneur | Visual Marketing Professional | Communicator By Design

9mo

Love your thinking Heidi! I am reminded of the eastern philosophy (spirituality?) teaching to intentionally align thought, word, and deed in our lives...I would add belief to that (if not part of thought). And you are adding the idea of true identity. All unified "do be do be you"!

Like
Reply
Katrina K.

Quality Assurance at SCN BestCo

9mo

I'm fond of it, and I completely concur.

See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics