In the world of social media, standing out is a challenge that many brands face. Yet, Stormi Steele, the
CEO of Canvas Beauty, has proven that authenticity and genuine connection can lead to extraordinary
success. She recently made history by becoming the first creator to earn over $1 million in a single
TikTok live session. Her journey is an inspiring story of how staying true to oneself and engaging
authentically with an audience can lead to remarkable achievements.
Social Media is a gold mine a lot of businesses are sitting on, and our goal with this is to open your eyes
to the things you can do, if you set yourself free from other people’s expectations and lean into your
own journey.
The Power of Authenticity
Authenticity is more than a buzzword; it is the foundation upon which trust and loyalty are built. For
Stormi Steele, authenticity wasn’t a strategy but a way of life. From her humble beginnings to her
meteoric rise, Stormi’s authenticity shone through in every aspect of her brand.
Why Authenticity Matters
Authenticity matters because it fosters trust. When consumers feel that a brand is genuine, they are
more likely to trust its products and services. In an age where consumers are bombarded with
advertisements and marketing messages, authenticity cuts through the noise. It allows brands to
connect with their audience on a deeper level.
For Stormi, being authentic meant sharing her personal journey, including the challenges she faced and
how she overcame them. She wasn’t afraid to show the real, unpolished side of her life and business.
This transparency resonated with her audience, making them feel like they were part of her journey.
Building Trust Through Authenticity
Trust is the cornerstone of any successful brand. Stormi’s authenticity helped her build a loyal following
that trusted her and her products. When she spoke about her products, her audience knew that she
believed in them wholeheartedly. This trust translated into sales and, ultimately, her record-breaking
achievement on TikTok.
Actionable Step: To build authenticity, brands should be transparent about their processes, share
behind-the-scenes content, and engage with their audience in a genuine manner. This could involve
sharing personal stories, showing the faces behind the brand, or being honest about challenges and how
they are being addressed.
Showing Your Face: The Personal Connection
What added to Stormi Steele’s success was her willingness to show her face. The digital space is where
interactions can often feel impersonal, showing the human side of your brand can make a huge
difference.
The Impact of Personal Connection
People connect with people, not just brands. By showing her face and sharing her personal story, Stormi
created a deeper connection with her audience. They didn’t just see a brand; they saw a person they
could relate to and trust.
When you show your face or share your story, you humanize your brand. It makes your audience feel
like they are engaging with a real person, not just a corporate entity. This personal connection can be
incredibly powerful in building loyalty and trust.
Humanizing Your Brand
Stormi’s live sessions were not just about selling products; they were about connecting with her
audience on a personal level. She shared her experiences, answered questions, and engaged with her
followers in real-time. This made her audience feel valued and appreciated, strengthening their loyalty
to her brand.
Engaging with Your Audience
Engagement is a huge part of building a loyal following. Stormi Steele understood this and made it a
priority to engage with her audience regularly.
The Importance of Engagement
Engagement goes beyond likes and comments; it’s about creating meaningful interactions with your
audience. When you engage with your followers, you make them feel heard and valued. This fosters a
sense of community and loyalty. Stormi didn’t just post content and wait for the sales to roll in; she actively engaged with her audience. She responded to comments, answered questions, and created content that encouraged interaction. This level of engagement made her followers feel like they were part of her brand’s success.
Creating a community
Stormi’s engagement strategies helped her build a strong community around her brand. Her followers
were not just customers; they were part of a supportive and engaged community. This sense of
belonging kept her audience coming back and supporting her brand.
Actionable Step: To build engagement, brands should focus on creating content that encourages
interaction. This could be through live sessions, Q&A posts, polls, or simply responding to comments and
messages. The goal is to make your audience feel like they are part of a community.
Three Things Your Brand Can Learn from Stormi Steele
Stormi Steele’s success story is filled with valuable lessons for other brands. Here are three key
takeaways that can help your brand stand out on social media:
- Be Authentic
Authenticity is the key to building trust and loyalty. Share real stories, behind-the-scenes content, and be transparent with your audience. Authenticity creates a deeper connection and makes your audience feel like they are part of your journey.
Actionable Step: Regularly share personal stories and behind-the-scenes content. Be honest about your challenges and how you are overcoming them. This transparency will help build trust and loyalty.
- Show Your Face
Humanize your brand by showing the people behind it. This creates a personal connection and makes your brand more relatable. When your audience can see the faces behind the brand, they are more likely to feel a personal connection and trust your products.
Actionable Step: Encourage your team to participate in live sessions, create videos, and share photos.
This will help humanize your brand and build a personal connection with your audience.
- Engage and Connect
Foster a community around your brand. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and create interactive content. The more connected your audience feels, the more loyal they will become.
Actionable Step: Focus on creating content that encourages interaction. Use polls, Q&A sessions, and live videos to engage with your audience. Respond to comments and messages promptly to show that you value their input.
Implementing These Strategies
Now that we’ve explored the key lessons from Stormi Steele’s success, let’s discuss how to implement
these strategies effectively.
Step 1: Define Your Brand’s Authentic Voice
The first step in implementing these strategies is to define your brand’s authentic voice. This involves
understanding your brand’s values, mission, and vision. Your brand’s voice should reflect who you are
and what you stand for.
Actionable Step: Create a brand guide that outlines your brand’s values, mission, and vision. Use this
guide to ensure that all your content reflects your brand’s authentic voice.
Step 2: Create Personal and Relatable Content
Once you’ve defined your brand’s voice, focus on creating content that is personal and relatable. This
could involve sharing behind-the-scenes content, personal stories, or insights into your brand’s journey.
Actionable Step: Plan a content calendar that includes a mix of personal stories, behind-the-scenes
content, and product updates. Use this calendar to ensure that you are consistently sharing content that
reflects your brand’s authenticity.
Step 3: Engage with Your Audience Regularly
Engagement is key to building a loyal following. Make it a priority to engage with your audience
regularly. Respond to comments, answer questions, and create content that encourages interaction.
Actionable Step: Set aside time each day to engage with your audience on social media. This could
involve responding to comments, answering messages, or participating in live sessions. The goal is to
make your audience feel valued and appreciated.
Step 4: Foster a Sense of Community
Building a strong community around your brand can significantly boost loyalty and engagement. Create
opportunities for your audience to interact with each other and with your brand.
Actionable Step: Host events, such as live Q&A sessions, webinars, or virtual meetups, to bring your
community together. Encourage your audience to share their experiences and engage with each other.
Step 5: Measure and Adjust
Finally, it’s important to measure the success of your strategies and make adjustments as needed. Use
analytics tools to track engagement, reach, and other key metrics. Use this data to refine your strategies
and ensure that you are meeting your goals.
Actionable Step: Regularly review your social media analytics to track the success of your content and
engagement strategies. Use this data to identify what’s working and what needs adjustment.
Conclusion
Stormi Steele’s journey from a passionate entrepreneur to a record-breaking TikTok shows the power of
authenticity, personal connection, and engagement. By staying true to herself, showing her face, and
actively engaging with her audience, she built a loyal following and achieved remarkable success.
Other brands can learn a great deal from her story. By being authentic, showing the human side of your
brand, and fostering a sense of community, you can build a loyal following and stand out on social
media.
Remember social media is about being social, authenticity and genuine connection are your greatest
assets. Embrace these principles, and watch your brand flourish.
Sophie