It’s fascinating to observe how the world of social media and marketing has evolved over the years, especially in the context of ‘perfect versus imperfect.’ Throughout this period, there has been a noticeable surge in embracing imperfection within social media platforms. But what exactly do we mean by ‘imperfection’?
Imperfection, in this context, refers to the acknowledgment that it’s perfectly fine to project an image of flawlessness as a human being, brand, or company. This doesn’t mean being haphazard with your content or posting without any strategy or direction; rather, it implies finding a balance. Raw, unfiltered material, such as a prominent influencer candidly sharing their acne struggles or a high-end purse company revealing the behind-the-scenes process of crafting their luxury products, is considered successful content precisely because it doesn’t strive for an unattainable level of perfection.
What’s truly remarkable about this shift towards imperfection in the world of social media is that it has enabled small businesses, without substantial
financial backing or access to top-tier marketing resources, to thrive on various platforms. Embracing imperfection humanizes your business, fostering a deeper connection between your audience and your product.
Conversely, larger companies often struggle to gain traction or go viral on these platforms because they obsess over achieving perfection in their content rather than focusing on how that content resonates with their customers. They lose sight of the essence of their brand and its relatability.
If you find yourself hesitating to post that draft on your phone because your hair wasn’t perfect that day or the picture wasn’t taken with the latest camera, don’t overthink it—just hit that ‘post’ button. It’s okay if the post doesn’t perform as you hoped but imagine if it surpasses your expectations. Social media is full of surprises and this is the essence of being imperfect, and remember, imperfection is beautiful because we are all human.
