Authenticity in Marketing: A Fantasy or the Future?

Isn’t it weird how we can get so used to certain things that we forget there’s a completely different way of doing them? It’s like we get stuck in our own little bubble. This happens all the time, especially in marketing, where we follow the same strategies and rules our predecessors laid out. But is this really the only way?

As marketers, we’re not just learning the technical skills—we’re being taught the playbook that’s been handed down for years. The tried-and-true methods, the formulas for selling. We’re taught to follow the rules, tweak them a little, and repeat the cycle. But here’s the thing: what if you don’t want to be just another “good” marketer or even the “best” marketer according to the industry’s standards? What if you want to be authentic?

At this point, some might ask, “But who needs authenticity in this industry? If you want authenticity, go into art instead.” And maybe they’ve got a point—on the surface, it seems like marketing and authenticity don’t belong in the same sentence. But I want to focus your attention right here, right now: if there’s one change I want to see in the future, it’s this—we are no longer defined by the ideas of who we become after choosing our life path.

When you choose to work in marketing, it’s like the industry immediately hands you an identity, expectations, and a box to fit in. But what comes first? Do we shape ourselves to fit that box, or does the box reshape us over time? It’s hard to tell where it starts. That’s why we need to act before the industry decides who we are, before the system turns experience into limitation.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Authenticity in marketing? It’s not easy. The industry’s pressure to hit numbers, meet expectations, and stick to what’s always worked can make it hard to break free. Creativity often takes a back seat to tradition. But isn’t that where the magic lies? Isn’t it the creative marketers—the ones who go off script—who make the biggest impact?

So, is it possible to stay authentic in marketing? Honestly, it might not be about waiting for permission. It’s about creating that space for yourself. Maybe that means testing bold ideas or questioning why we’ve always done things the way we have. It might mean redefining success on your terms.

The challenge here is in remembering that another reality is out there. And you have the power to explore it. It’s about finding the courage to step outside the expectations and make your own rules. Because true authenticity doesn’t come from following the playbook—it comes from rewriting it.