From CEOs and marketing professionals to authors, veterans, pastors, artists, and musicians, people want to know how to be memorable and make a lasting impression. No matter who you are or what you do, you already have everything you need to be unforgettable.

The Confusion Behind Being Memorable 

In the emotional video storytelling business, we often talk about the importance of being engaging. Our clients come to us struggling with a tug-of-war of what they think it looks like to be memorable:

• Say something thought-provoking, but don’t talk above your audience.  
• Dress uniquely, but also be attractive.
• Be funny. And interesting—but a cool interesting, not a weird interesting.
• Be generous, but don’t give too much away.
• Care about people, but don’t care too much.

Engagement can be confusing because the balance between appearing unique and genuine often feels unclear. While appearance and technique do play some role in being unforgettable, they don’t work. Not by themself, anyway. The truth is, if the superficial stuff worked, we wouldn’t need to wonder how to make a lasting impression.

So, what is the key to becoming unforgettable? 

Authenticity.

The one competitive advantage you have is the ability to truly be yourself. Everyone has skills, expertise, talent, and opinions, but the ability to be authentically you is a singular gift.

Which is what makes it so powerful.

Authenticity Is Rare & Refreshing

When we meet an authentic person, someone who isn’t trying to be anything other than what and who they are, we find ourselves faced with an honesty that is increasingly rare and refreshing these days. Because authenticity is so rare, our response to it is stronger and we know we’re in the presence of someone who is secure and confident.

Authenticity Is Attractive

Something special happens when you value authenticity above a beautiful appearance and slick techniques. As an authentic person, you don’t have to be the most attractive, the funniest, the coolest, or the “most correct” to make a killer impression. In fact, when you authentically own the less-than-perfect parts of yourself—the things that make you uneasy or self-conscious—those qualities begin to transform, and they become endearing. Authenticity leading those qualities makes them incredibly attractive. 

Authenticity Is Infectious

Authenticity is also infectious. When we meet someone who’s being the truest version of themselves, we tend to feel that we can also be the truest version of ourselves. 

People won’t only remember YOU, they’ll also remember themselves. Your authenticity will give your audience permission to be more real and authentic, which is one of the greatest feelings in life. Everyone longs to be known and accepted as our true selves.  

What Your Audience Needs Is YOU

Cultivating authenticity simply means acknowledging and owning what makes you uniquely YOU.

If you want to be unforgettable, then you already have everything you need for a competitive advantage. Authenticity is inherently attractive. It’s also refreshing, grounded, and often funny, which is what makes it so memorable.

Your audience will remember how they felt more real and more connected when they encountered you. They’ll keep coming back because they know how rare and powerful true authenticity is.

No other quality will make you more memorable than the simple act of being yourself.