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Marketing
October 23, 2024

Viral Content 101: Find Your Authentic Voice

Post By:
Melia Arnett-Archie
In-House Contributor
Founder
Modern Creators Law Firm, PLLC, VoiceBox Podcast & Creators Studio, LLC, and CoFounder of B. Her Collective, LLC
Guest Contributor:

For over a decade, I was deeply entrenched in the corporate world. I climbed the ladder, mastered the art of communication, and spoke fluently in the language of corporate speak. But here’s the thing—I was speaking in a voice that wasn’t truly mine. It was polished, professional, and well-scripted, but it wasn’t me. It was a voice carefully crafted to fit a mold, to meet expectations that weren’t my own or representative of the things that mattered most to me.

For years, I walked the walk and talked the talk. I did everything I was supposed to do and did it well. But eventually, I hit a ceiling. And here’s the thing: it wasn’t anyone’s fault. There was simply nowhere else for me to grow within the organization. That realization forced me to stop and really think about what I wanted out of my life. 

I had spent so much time defining success by the parameters set by others that I hadn’t taken the time to define success for myself.

It was at that moment that I realized I hadn’t even scratched the surface of the value I had to offer. My journey wasn’t coming to an end—it was just beginning. I was on the cusp of something new, exciting, fresh, and, yes, [the scary part] unknown.

When I finally made the leap into entrepreneurship, I quickly realized that the voice I had spent years perfecting wasn’t going to serve me in this new chapter. I wasn’t representing a company anymore—I was representing myself. But who was I? What did I truly want to say? And perhaps most importantly, how could I connect with the people I was supposed to reach?

For the first time, I had to confront the uncomfortable truth that I didn’t really know who I was or what I wanted to say. My thoughts were muddied by years of trying to fit into a narrative that wasn’t mine.

This realization hit me hard when I started my own business. I found myself struggling to communicate effectively with my target customers and clients. My content felt flat, disconnected—just like my voice. It was a wake-up call, signaling that I needed to embark on a journey of self-discovery to find my true voice, one that wasn’t shaped by corporate expectations but by my own values and passions.

I had to unlearn much of what I had been taught about success and reimagine it on my own terms. It was a process of peeling back the layers, confronting my fears, and embracing the unknown with the understanding that the only way to truly connect with others was to first connect with myself.

Because it wasn’t just about finding a new voice; it was about finding my voice—the one that had been buried under layers of corporate expectations and societal norms. 

And let me tell you, that journey was anything but easy. It required deep self-reflection, a lot of prayer, meditation, and therapy, along with a willingness to unlearn much of what I had been conditioned to believe about how I should present myself. I had to dig deep and ask myself the tough questions: 

Who am I, really? What do I care about? What message do I want to share with the world? 

These weren’t questions I could answer overnight, but I knew that finding these answers was crucial—not just for my business, but for my own sense of identity. And as I began to find my voice, I noticed something interesting. I wasn’t alone in this struggle. 

The clients who came to me for help with their podcasts and digital media content were facing the same challenges. They had the expertise—years of experience and knowledge that made them leaders in their fields. But their content? It wasn’t resonating with their audiences. It lacked that spark- that magic- that makes people stop scrolling, click play, and engage.

That’s when I realized the problem: most of these content creators were missing two essential elements—Authenticity and Accessibility. They had Mastery down, but without authenticity and accessibility, their content felt hollow and disconnected.

This realization led to the creation of what I now call The Trust Triangle—a framework we use at VoiceBox Podcast & Creators Studio to help our clients find and amplify their true voices. The Trust Triangle is built on three pillars: Authenticity, Mastery, and Accessibility. Let me break it down for you.

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The Trust Triangle: A Game Changer

1. Authenticity

Authenticity is the cornerstone of the Content Trust Triangle. It’s about being real, being you. Authenticity doesn’t just build trust; it creates deep, meaningful connections with your audience. When you’re authentic, people don’t just listen to what you have to say—they feel it. According to a study by Sprout Social, 77% of consumers are more likely to engage with content that feels genuine and relatable. This kind of engagement is what turns followers into loyal supporters. 

When your content is authentic, it resonates on a personal level. It strikes a chord with your audience, making them want to keep reading, watching, or listening—even if they weren’t originally planning to. Engaging content is relatable. It speaks to the reader personally, so they are compelled to share it with others. 

2. Mastery

Mastery is about showcasing your expertise. It’s the foundation that positions you as a credible voice in your field. According to HubSpot, expertise is essential for building authority and credibility within your niche. 

But let’s be clear—Mastery alone isn’t enough. 

You can be the most knowledgeable person in your field, but if you’re not authentic, your expertise won’t connect with your audience in a meaningful way. The Content Marketing Institute emphasizes that to truly resonate with your audience, your expertise must be delivered in a way that aligns with your authentic voice and brand identity. When combined with authenticity, mastery becomes a powerful tool. It allows you to provide value that not only educates but also deeply connects with your audience.

3. Accessibility

Accessibility is the final piece of the triangle, and it’s all about transparency. In today’s world, people don’t just want to see the polished end product; they want to see the process, the struggles, and the behind-the-scenes moments that make you human. Furthermore, Forbes highlights that transparency is key to connecting with consumers and crucial for building a trusted brand, as it fosters a more relatability which can lead to authentic and trustworthy relationship building through storytelling.

By providing a transparent look behind the scenes, you invite your audience into your journey, making them feel like they’re part of your story—not just passive observers. This helps your content to be more engaging for an audience.

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The Trust Triangle isn’t just a strategy; it’s a blueprint for anyone who wants to truly connect with their audience, whether they’re business owners, organizational leaders, or creatives. People aren’t just listening to what you say; they’re connecting with who you are, which gives them what they need to trust what you’re offering. The more authentic, skilled, and accessible you are, the stronger that connection will be.

If you’re still reading this, there’s a good chance you might be in a similar place to where I was—struggling to connect with your audience or perhaps even with yourself. Maybe you’re transitioning out of a role that no longer serves you, or you’re beginning your own journey of self-discovery, questioning who you really are and what you truly want to say. This journey can be daunting, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

The Trust Triangle can absolutely be your guide as you begin redefining your voice, your brand, and your connection with your audience. By focusing on Authenticity, Mastery, and Accessibility, you’ll not only discover a voice that is true to who you are, but you’ll also find the confidence to share it in a way that deeply resonates with others.

This framework has been a game changer for me, and it’s been transformative for the clients I work with at VoiceBox Podcast & Creators Studio. If you’re struggling to find your voice or if your content isn’t resonating the way you’d like it to, consider this: Are you being truly authentic? Are you showcasing your expertise? Are you making yourself accessible to your audience?

At VoiceBox, we’re here to help you navigate this journey, just like I did. Finding your voice isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Because once you do, you won’t just connect with your audience—you’ll build a tribe of loyal fans that are with you for the long haul.

Ready to start your journey? Let’s find your voice, amplify it, and make the connections that matter most. Visit us at www.voiceboxpcs.com to learn more about The Trust Triangle and how we can help take your content to the next level!