Hey there,

Here’s how to be authentic without being boring. It’s the kind of cake-having-and-eating scenario I’m all about.

One thing you should know

I was coaching a small business owner on launching his digital presence. He kept making excuses for why he couldn’t record videos.

“I need to find the right background,” he said.

I finally had enough and pushed back: “Think about the last video you watched that made a real difference to you. The one that impacted your life.”

He thought for a moment.

Then I asked, “Do you remember what the background looked like?”

He couldn’t answer. Of course he couldn’t.

It was just an excuse.

We get caught up in details that don’t matter.

You don’t need perfection. What you need is a message that matters to your audience.

The truth is, the best videos aren’t polished; they’re authentic. 

So don’t overthink it. Start talking, start sharing, and start showing up for your community.

One thing you should do

But being authentic doesn’t mean being boring. This one will take a little extra work, but try it out and see how it works.

Write every word of what you want your 1-minute video to be. Script your lines following the outline we discussed in previous articles:

1. Hook: 1-2 sentences that get the viewer curious.

2. Tease: 2-3 sentences that further expound on the hook.

3. Proof: 1-2 sentences that show your expertise.

4. Exposition: 2-3 sentences that give context around the answer.

5. Punchline: the clear answer to the hook.

Then, break your script down into short sentences or thoughts.

And in each section, move to a different location. 

Kind of like this: https://www.instagram.com/p/DA1lKA8SQjC/

P.S. Jenna is incredible. I don’t know her personally but I really want to be her best friend. You should follow her account.

And another thing

You might have noticed I’ve been a bit MIA lately. Trust me, I’ve had a pretty good reason. In the storm and all the chaos that came with it, my wife and I welcomed our third baby—and yes, our third daughter—to the family.

My world has been full of baby snuggles (and not so much productivity). So, as I dig myself out of a mountain of emails and get back into the swing of things, just know that if I owe you a reply — this is why! Thanks for your patience.

Until next time,

Will