In a world where consumers are bombarded with marketing messages daily, they need help knowing which companies to trust. That's why your customers are more likely to feel optimistic about their purchase decisions when they feel that your business is authentic and transparent. This is especially important today, when social media and online reviews give shoppers more information than ever, so your brand reputation is always at stake.Being honest, genuine, and true to your philosophy is a great way to stand out, turn your first-time buyers into loyal clients, and build a stronger connection with them.&nbsp;That's what we at Rakuten Viber believe in, and that's why we created this article – an ultimate manual for brands on how to be authentic and original. Keep reading to learn more about how you can be your true self and catch the eye of your potential supporters.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">What Is Brand Authenticity?</h2>Authenticity refers to the genuineness and sincerity of someone or something. In the context of brands, it relates to the ability of a company to remain true to its core values and purpose. An authentic business can connect with its consumers on a deeper level, as it is perceived to be genuine and trustworthy. And even though it can be difficult in today's fast-paced and ever-changing landscape, you need to be aligned with your principles to maintain customer trust and loyalty. In an age of fake news and alternative facts, it's more important than ever for your company to be transparent with your audience, check your sources and the information you put into the world, and think twice before doing anything controversial. After all, it is a key ingredient in successful branding that sets your business apart from its competitors.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Why Authenticity Matters for Brands</h2>When communication is bona fide, clients feel it. They know that a brand stands for something and can trust that it will deliver on its promises. This is why being genuine is so essential for marketing. After all, it makes all the difference between customers feeling like they're being a part of the conversation rather than being aggressively sold to.There are several reasons why authenticity is crucial for brands:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">First and foremost, it builds trust and loyalty. Differentiating your brand from others by being authentic will inspire people to come back to you time and time again.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Second, it can help your company to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Authenticity can be a key differentiator in a world with so many choices. Not many companies have rigid values that they follow to a T. But being honest and unwavering when doing the right thing increases people’s respect for your company.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Third, it's a great way to create a special connection with consumers. People who feel like they know and trust a brand are more likely to attach to it emotionally.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Finally, authenticity can help you build a solid and lasting reputation for your company. With this approach, you will be able to create a brand that people can trust and feel good about supporting.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Brands_communicating_their_mission_and_values_on_Viber_bacbb24d34.png"><figcaption>Brands communicating their mission and values on Rakuten Viber&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>In our day and age, it’s very simple to check the background of any business online and find out what customers think about it. Hundreds of site reviews and social media posts can paint the complete picture of clients’ views of your brand and either propel it to even more recognition or crack its image and decrease its rating.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">How Rakuten Viber Helps Brands be More Authentic: Improve Your Customer Engagement</h2>Rakuten Viber provides a unique opportunity for brands to connect with their audience more personally. Using our platform, you can send messages directly to customers when they are engaged the most – on their smartphones.Besides, Rakuten <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/beyond-messaging-viber-for-business-solutions-for-every-stage-of-your-marketing-funnel/">Viber's rich toolkit</a> is perfect for brands that want to communicate in the most genuine way possible. For example, Rakuten Viber branded <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-snap-partnership/">Lenses</a> and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/">Stickers</a> can help you add personality to your marketing, making it more relatable, original, and fun.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Authentic_and_engaging_campaigns_with_Viber_Lenses_and_Stickers_ecf6377285.png"><figcaption>Authentic and engaging campaigns with Rakuten Viber Lenses and Stickers</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">5 Ways For Brands to Remain Authentic</h2>There are a few vital tips for every marketer that wants to create and maintain an authentic brand image:1. Be true to your core values.Your customers should be able to identify what your company stands for easily. Even the basic things, like colors, fonts, and overall design, should all reflect your brand's values. This will give your customers a sense of purpose and make them feel like they are part of something bigger when they purchase from you.2. Be transparent.Your clients should know what they're getting when they buy from you. Be upfront about your manufacturing process, ingredients, or other relevant information. This way, your customers can be confident in their purchase and know they are getting quality products.3. Be consistent.If you're constantly changing your logo, website, or product offerings, it will be harder for people to recognize and trust your company. Try to maintain a consistent look and feel across all of your branded materials. This way, your customers should be able to easily recognize your products, regardless of where they see them.&nbsp;4. Be responsive.If your clients have questions or concerns, deal with them promptly and courteously. By addressing their issues promptly, you can show that you value their feedback and that you care about their experience with your brand. Rakuten <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">Viber Business Messages</a> and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/chatbots/">Chatbots</a> are perfect for this.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Brands_answering_customer_questions_via_Viber_Business_Messages_and_Chatbots_f62ef1a893.png"><figcaption>Brands answering customer questions via Rakuten Viber Business Messages and Chatbots</figcaption></figure>5. Be honest.Your customers can tell if you're being phony. So be real, be yourself, and let your brand personality shine through.&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Stay Real, Stay Relatable</h2>Authenticity is one of the most important qualities when it comes to branding. When your customers feel that you align with their values, they are more likely to make your product a part of their life, recommend you to their closest circle, and be forgiving if something goes wrong.&nbsp;By providing a platform for brands to connect with their audience, Rakuten Viber helps companies create a more personal bond. Rakuten <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/viber-for-business/">Viber for Business solutions</a> allow brands to customize their messages and provide clients with a unique experience, from personalized ads to birthday discounts and special offers. All these factors make it a perfect SuperApp for marketers that want to increase their brand's authenticity and keep their audience happy.You can find out more about Rakuten Viber for Business products and how they can help your business stand out from the crowd by <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">contacting us</a>.

The Power of Being Authentic

Importance of authenticity for brand marketing. Using Rakuten Viber to build a bond with consumers

The Power of Being Authentic

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