Episode 05: From Stand-Up to Speaking Power: Confidence, Comedy, and Transformation with Elaine Williams
@elainewilliamsfun
Elaine Williams, Video & Visibility Coach, CaptivateTheCrowd, NYC/Dallas
Authenticity in Marketing: The One Strategy That Never Fails
There’s a lot of noise in the marketing world. Everyone’s looking for the next hack, trend, or viral formula to grow their brand.
But the truth?
The most powerful marketing strategy has never changed.
It’s authenticity.
In a world where AI can write captions and influencers are curating picture-perfect lives, what people crave more than ever is realness. They want to connect with brands, businesses, and creators who feel genuine, not like they’re reading from a script.
And that’s exactly why Elaine Williams’ story resonated so much with me on Heart of the Hustle.
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Why Authenticity Wins in Business and Marketing
Think about the brands you trust. The ones you engage with. The ones you buy from again and again.
It’s not just because they have a great product.
It’s not because they have the flashiest marketing campaign.
It’s not even because they have the lowest prices.
What sets them apart? Authenticity.
In today’s world, where social media is filled with highlight reels and marketing is often packed with empty promises, people are looking for something real. They want to connect with brands, businesses, and entrepreneurs who feel genuine, not like they’re reading off a script.
The Secret to Building a Brand That Lasts
The most successful brands have one thing in common:
✔️ They don’t try to be something they’re not. Instead of chasing trends, they double down on who they are and what they believe in.
✔️ Their messaging feels personal and human. They don’t talk at their audience; they talk to them, like a real conversation.
✔️ They show up consistently, no matter what. Even when engagement is low or algorithms change, they stick to their mission.
This is exactly what I talked about with Elaine Williams on Heart of the Hustle.
Authenticity in Action: Elaine’s Story
When Elaine started in comedy, she thought she had to be a certain type of funny. She watched other comedians, studied their styles, and tried to fit into a mold of what she thought a stand-up comic should be.
And guess what?
It didn’t work.
Audiences weren’t connecting with her because she wasn’t bringing herself to the stage—she was bringing a version of herself she thought people wanted.
The moment she started telling her real stories—her struggles, her quirks, her awkward life moments—that’s when people started to laugh, relate, and engage.
That’s when her career took off.
And that is exactly how marketing works.
Why “Perfect” Marketing Doesn’t Work Anymore
For years, businesses got away with overly polished, highly curated marketing that looked beautiful but felt completely out of reach for the average person.
But the world has changed.
Now, people are looking for brands that feel real and relatable.
🔹 They don’t want a perfect sales pitch—they want a story they can see themselves in.
🔹 They don’t want forced marketing language—they want conversations.
🔹 They don’t want content that sounds like everyone else—they want something unique to you.
The second you stop chasing trends and start owning your voice, everything shifts.
Your marketing becomes easier, because you’re not trying to be someone you’re not.
Your audience grows, because people are drawn to authenticity.
Your business thrives, because customers buy from brands they trust.
Authenticity Is Your Competitive Advantage
The best part? Authenticity is something no one else can copy.
Your voice.
Your story.
Your perspective.
No one else in the world has the exact same experiences, insights, and personality as you.
So instead of trying to fit in, focus on standing out by being 100% you.
Because in marketing—and in business—being real will always be your greatest strength.
How to Use Authenticity in Your Marketing
If you want your brand to stand out, forget trying to impress people and start trying to connect with them.
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends, wondering if you should be dancing on TikTok, posting aesthetic flat lays, or writing long-form LinkedIn posts.
But here’s the truth: Marketing isn’t about doing what everyone else is doing. It’s about doing what feels right for YOU.
Authenticity is what builds trust, creates engagement, and keeps people coming back.
So how do you make sure your marketing feels real, natural, and aligned with who you are?
1. Stop Hiding Behind “Perfect” Content
People don’t connect with perfection.
They connect with stories, struggles, and shared experiences. If all your content is overly polished, highly scripted, and strategically curated, it creates a distance between you and your audience.
You might think, “But I want to look professional!”—and yes, professionalism matters. But professionalism doesn’t mean flawless to the point of feeling robotic.
Instead, start sharing:
🎤 Your journey—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Show how you got where you are, including the challenges.
🎙️ Your behind-the-scenes moments. What does your process look like? Give people a peek into your world.
📢 Your real thoughts on your industry. Stop playing it safe—people engage with bold, honest opinions.
Elaine Williams is a perfect example of this. When she started in comedy, she was trying to force the funny—crafting the “perfect” jokes and delivery, mimicking what she thought a comedian should be.
And it flopped.
But the moment she let go of the act and started sharing her real-life awkwardness, struggles, and truths, audiences connected with her.
This applies to business, too. People don’t buy from businesses—they buy from people. The more real you are, the more trust and loyalty you build.
2. Be Clear About Your Values
What do you stand for?
What do you not stand for?
Your audience should know this immediately when they come across your brand.
The most successful brands in the world don’t appeal to everyone—they build die-hard followings by being unapologetically themselves.
Elaine created a safe space for women in comedy because she knew what it felt like to be in environments that weren’t welcoming. She didn’t wait for someone else to create that space—she built it herself.
And because of that, the right people gravitate toward her.
The same applies to your business. When you’re clear about your values, you attract:
✅ Customers who believe in what you do.
✅ Clients who align with your approach.
✅ An audience that actually engages with your content.
Trying to please everyone will make your brand forgettable. Taking a stand will make it memorable.
3. Show Up in a Way That Feels Natural to YOU
Not everyone needs to be on TikTok. Not every brand needs a sleek Instagram aesthetic.
Marketing should feel natural—because if it doesn’t, you won’t stick with it.
Think about what type of content feels easiest and most enjoyable for you:
🎥 Hate dancing on Reels? Don’t do it. There are other ways to engage visually.
🎙️ Love talking but hate writing? Start a podcast or go live on social media.
📧 Prefer deeper, more meaningful conversations? Build an email list where you can connect on a more personal level.
Forcing yourself to create content that doesn’t feel right will lead to burnout and inconsistency. Instead, find a marketing approach that feels effortless and sustainable.
Marketing That Feels Good = Marketing That Works
At the end of the day, the best marketing strategy is one that:
✔️ Feels like an extension of who you are.
✔️ Builds real connections with your audience.
✔️ Is sustainable long-term because it doesn’t drain you.
When you stop trying to fit into a mold and start owning your voice, everything changes.
Because people don’t just want content.
They want connection.
And authenticity will always be the fastest path to that connection.
How Heart of the Hustle Studio Helps You Show Up Authentically
If you’re an entrepreneur, coach, or thought leader, you’ve probably heard the same advice over and over again:
💡 “Just show up consistently!”
💡 “Post more content!”
💡 “Be visible if you want to grow!”
And while that’s true, here’s the real issue no one talks about:
📌 What if you don’t have time to create content?
📌 What if you feel awkward on camera?
📌 What if every piece of content you create feels forced or fake?
So many business owners want to be visible, but they don’t know how to do it in a way that feels authentic, sustainable, and strategic.
That’s exactly why I created Heart of the Hustle Studio.
Not just to help you create content—but to help you create content that actually feels like YOU.
Because here’s the truth: If your content doesn’t feel genuine, your audience can tell. And if they don’t trust your brand, they’re not going to engage, follow, or buy from you.
Why Most Entrepreneurs Struggle With Content Creation
Over the years, I’ve worked with so many incredible entrepreneurs, speakers, and business owners who all struggled with the same thing:
They weren’t showing up consistently—not because they didn’t want to, but because they were stuck in one of these common traps:
1️⃣ The Perfection Trap
These are the entrepreneurs who overthink everything. They:
Spend hours trying to write the perfect caption.
Refuse to post a video unless it’s flawless.
Edit, revise, and tweak content so much that they never actually publish anything.
Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone.
Many entrepreneurs want to create great content, but they get so stuck in perfectionism that they never actually put anything out into the world.
2️⃣ The Trend Trap
Then there’s the other extreme—people who are always chasing trends instead of creating content that feels like them.
They:
Try to copy whatever is going viral.
Mimic what “successful” influencers are doing.
Create content based on what they think their audience wants, rather than what actually feels right.
Here’s the problem: Trendy content might get views, but it doesn’t build trust.
If your content doesn’t reflect who you are, you’re going to attract the wrong audience—or worse, no audience at all.
The Heart of the Hustle Studio Difference
That’s why, at Heart of the Hustle Studio, we do things differently.
Instead of forcing you into a one-size-fits-all content strategy, we create a process that’s:
✔️ Authentic to YOU – Your voice, your brand, your personality.
✔️ Simple & Stress-Free – No scripts, no over-planning, just effortless content creation.
✔️ Effective – Content that attracts the right people and builds your business.
And the best part? It only takes ONE hour.
How It Works: From One Interview to a Month of Content
The reason so many entrepreneurs struggle with content is that they’re trying to do too much, too fast, in too many places.
At Heart of the Hustle Studio, we simplify everything.
Here’s how it works:
🎤 Step 1: A One-Hour Interview That Feels Like a Conversation
Forget scripting, prepping, or memorizing anything. You show up, and we handle the rest.
I guide you through a fun, engaging conversation where you’ll naturally share:
✅ Your expertise and knowledge.
✅ Your personal stories and experiences.
✅ Your thoughts on industry trends.
✅ Your personality—so your content feels like you.
Most of my clients say it doesn’t even feel like content creation—it feels like having coffee with a friend.
📲 Step 2: We Turn That Interview Into a Full Month of Content
From that one conversation, my team and I create:
✔️ Engaging social media clips – Short-form videos designed to grab attention and drive engagement.
✔️ Done-for-you captions – So you don’t have to stress about writing.
✔️ A podcast episode – So you can position yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
✔️ A blog post optimized for SEO – So your brand gets found on Google.
And the best part? It’s all completely hands-off for you.
No overthinking.
No second-guessing.
No spending hours filming and editing.
Just authentic content that works.
Why This Works (When Everything Else Hasn’t)
Most entrepreneurs already have great stories, insights, and value to share. They just don’t know how to package it into effective, engaging content.
That’s why my process works—because I don’t try to change you or make you fit into a “content mold.”
Instead, I help you show up as your real, authentic self.
Here’s Why My Clients Love This Approach:
✅ It’s effortless – No over-prepping, no stress, just natural conversation.
✅ It’s sustainable – You’re not burning out trying to create content every single day.
✅ It builds trust – People engage with content that feels real and relatable.
When you stop forcing content and start showing up as yourself, marketing becomes easy.
What Happens When You Start Showing Up Authentically?
Imagine:
📢 Your content actually connects with your audience. Instead of feeling like you’re just throwing things out there, people engage, comment, and DM you.
📈 Your visibility grows effortlessly. No more struggling with what to post—your content is working for you, even when you’re not online.
💰 Your business grows. Because when people trust you, they buy from you. It’s that simple.
That’s exactly what happened for Elaine Williams after her episode of Heart of the Hustle.
After our interview, she walked away with:
✅ Social media clips that showcased her expertise and humor.
✅ SEO-optimized blog posts to boost her online presence.
✅ A podcast episode that positioned her as an industry leader.
And that’s exactly what I can do for you.
Are You Ready to Show Up Authentically?
🚀 Want a month of content from just one hour with me?
At Heart of the Hustle Studio, I’ll help you create done-for-you content that sounds like you, attracts the right audience, and makes marketing effortless.
📩 DM me today to book your session!
Or, if you want to see exactly how this process works, check out my conversation with Elaine Williams—watch it on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.
Let’s create content that works. Content that feels like YOU.
