The New Marketing Rule: Be Human, Not Hype

By Susie Taylor | Contributor WBN News | 11 July 2025

When did marketing become a contest for who could shout the loudest?

Scroll through your feed, and you’ll see a parade of exaggerated claims, perfectly curated selfies, and jargon-heavy promises. But here’s the truth: the era of hype is fading. What’s replacing it? Humanity.

Today’s customers are exhausted by relentless promotion and hollow buzzwords. They crave connection, honesty, and brands that feel approachable. In other words: they want real people, not polished personas.

Being human in your marketing doesn’t mean oversharing or abandoning strategy. It means remembering that the person reading your email or visiting your website is just that...a person. Someone with hopes, challenges, and a finely tuned radar for insincerity.

The good news? You don’t need a million-dollar budget or an elaborate funnel to market with humanity. You just need a willingness to show up honestly.

Here are four ways to start showing up more human (and more effective) in your marketing:

Tell the truth, even when it’s imperfect.
You don’t have to claim you’re the best in your field. Instead, share real stories, real results, and real lessons learned. Vulnerability builds trust faster than any sales script. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your process. Talk about a time you struggled and what you learned. People relate to progress, not perfection.

Write like you talk.
Ditch the corporate lingo. Use language that sounds natural, warm, and conversational. Imagine you’re talking to a friend across the table, not addressing a faceless crowd. Your copy should feel like a human conversation, not a news release.

Focus on service, not spectacle.
Instead of blasting out offers, ask yourself: How can I help my audience today? When your marketing starts with empathy, your customers notice and respond. Education, encouragement, and generosity go further than aggressive persuasion.

Stay consistent.
Showing up authentically isn’t a one-time tactic. It’s an ongoing commitment. When you communicate with clarity and care, people begin to trust you and that trust becomes the foundation for loyalty and referrals.

Hype may get attention, but humanity keeps it. When you lead with honesty and heart, you won’t just attract customers, you’ll create loyal fans who feel good about buying from you.

So the next time you sit down to write an email, record a video, or post on social media, pause. Take a breath. And remember: you don’t have to sound like everyone else to be effective. You just have to sound like you.

Because in this noisy world, being human is the most compelling strategy of all.

Your story matters. Let’s share it in a way that feels real, not rehearsed. Reach out anytime. I’d love to help.

Contact: Susie Taylor - susie.taylor.writer@outlook.com

Hashtags: #Authentic Marketing #Storytelling #Human Connection #Brand Messaging #Entrepreneurship #Small Business Tips