Unfiltered & Unstoppable: Why Relatable Content Is Your Secret Weapon

Are you sick of polished perfection that doesn't work? In the digital age we live in now, being real isn't just nice to have; it's a must. This article goes into great detail about how relatable content—real, raw moments—can create real emotional connections, build trust, and spark fierce loyalty. Learn why Gen Z wants it, how to make it, and why this unfiltered method is the best way to get more organic reach and brand loyalty. Stop being fake and start being real; your audience is ready to connect.

Relatable content is real, one-of-a-kind, and deeply connects with its audience. It's about showing real, unedited moments, everyday situations, shared problems, funny things that happen, and even inside jokes. This method tries to build strong emotional ties that make your brand seem more human and trustworthy.

The rise in popularity of relatable content, especially among Gen Z, is due to a strong need for realness. Research shows that this is true: 54% of Gen Z customers are more likely to stick with brands that share behind-the-scenes content, and 48% feel more connected to brands that show real people. This change shows a desire for real interactions instead of perfect ones.

Relatable content builds community and loyalty, not just personal connections. 1 Seeing their own experiences in a brand's ads makes people feel like they understand the brand better, which makes them more likely to buy from it. This honest approach also helps your content stand out in a world where people are tired of ads and have too much information. It cuts through the noise of traditional marketing. It shows different points of view that are often missing from curated ads, which makes your brand more accessible and inclusive. 2 In the end, it's a long-term strategy for building a brand that creates trust and leads to ongoing engagement and growth.

Relatable content thrives in easily digestible formats:

Short-form videos (Reels, Shorts, TikToks):

• General: 15-60 seconds (ideally under 30 seconds)

• Very short clips: 7-15 seconds

• Mid-length: Around 30 seconds for quick stories

• Longer short-form: 1-3 minutes (use sparingly for added context)

• Meme posts: With text overlays  

• Static posts: Up to 5 images with captions under 100 characters

Ready to get started? Here are 20 ideas to spark your creativity and connect with your audience:

• "A day in the life of a {your job title}": Share funny, embarrassing, or everyday things that happen at work behind the scenes.

• "You know you're a {your job title} when... Point out specific, relevant situations that are unique to your job or role.

• "Things that make sense at my house": You can use this idea at work, in your car, or in other places where you have common sense.

• That feeling when something happens: Talk about feelings that are easy to relate to, like running out of gas or reaching a big goal.

• What can go wrong? Use this phrase to start a story that starts with high hopes but ends in a strange or unexpected way.

• Deep quotes, funny memes, or insights that explain why you are the way you are: Be honest and open while giving information that is useful or fun.

• A funny and over-the-top video of you doing something silly because of your mental health: Talk about mental health problems like anger, depression, and anxiety in a funny and sarcastic way.

• "When you finally realize": Use this phrase in situations involving relationships or business/gym motivation to show a moment of realization.

• "How it feels to {be in a healthy relationship, be single, have money, do what you love for a living, etc.}": Use this as a caption or text overlay with clips that show how you feel.

• Breakfast with Red Bull (or a similar product): Use the Red Bull meme style to talk about your goods or services, like how to get useful marketing tips.

• "How other people wake up vs. how I wake up": Show fake clips of other people waking up, then show a funny or realistic version of your own morning routine.

• "Things I'm too old for": Talk about your own beliefs and opinions on different topics, like "I'm 35 and I'm too old for road rage."

• "My top three {songs when I'm upset, marketing automation tools, morning exercises, travel essentials, etc.}": Tell us about your top three favorite or necessary things to do or have that are useful and relatable to other people.

• Failures and successes: Talk about what you learned from both your failures and your successes.

• "Things I used to believe then vs now": Talk about a subject and how your thoughts or beliefs about it have changed over time.

• "My unpopular opinion about {politics, science, relationships, advertising, gluten, etc.}": Make a short video about a topic that you don't agree with and post it.

• "Tell me what you do for a living without telling me what you do for a living": Talk about your job or daily activities without saying what they are, and let others guess.

• "What I eat in a day" is a video that shows all the meals you eat in a day.

• "Where I go to clear my head": Post pictures or videos of your favorite beautiful places to clear your head and tag the location.

• "What I thought it was like vs. what it really is like": Give people a reality check on what they think will happen and what actually happens in different situations, like "What I thought paid advertising was like vs. what it's really like."

To connect with your audience most effectively, remember to use these ideas in your own niche.

To truly master relatable content, consider these key aspects:

What Vulnerability (and Limits) Mean

Strategic vulnerability can be very strong. When people share their personal problems or behind-the-scenes problems in a way that is real and adds value or humor, it really hits home. To stay professional and healthy, though, you need to set limits and not share too much.

Researching your audience is important.

If you don't know who you're talking to, you can't be relatable. Audience research is very important. Use surveys, social listening, and comments to figure out what makes your audience laugh, what hurts them, and what they do every day.

Using Trends (with Care)

Using current trends, certain audio formats, or meme formats can help people find your content. But be careful how you use them. The trend should really fit with your message and brand voice, not feel forced or like you're taking advantage of it.

Promoting User-Generated Content (UGC)

Encourage your audience to make content that they can relate to in order to make it more real. This could mean challenges, special hashtags, or showing user content on your own channels to make the community even stronger.

How to Measure Relatability

Don't just like and share. To really see the effect, look at comment sentiment (are people saying "OMG, literally me?"), direct messages, and even how long people watch longer relatable videos.

• Don't make too much: The appeal of relatable content is often in its raw, unedited state. Editing too much can make something less real.

• Your motto is "Authenticity Over Perfection." It's fine for content to not be perfect; that's what makes it real.

• Using old content in new ways: Get more use out of your ideas. A quote can turn into a meme, and a short video can turn into a still image with text.

• Call to Action (More Than Just Sales): To get people to relate to your content, you could ask them to share it, comment with their own experience, or tag a friend. This will make the community aspect stronger than a direct sales pitch.

• Quality over quantity: Instead of just churning out a lot of uninspired pieces, focus on consistently giving your audience content that they can relate to.

• Trying Too Hard: People can tell when content is trying too hard to be relatable and isn't real.

• Being Too Niche (or Not Niche Enough): It's good to target a specific audience, but content can be too niche and turn off a wider audience. On the other hand, being too vague might not connect with anyone.

• Don't ignore feedback; keep an eye on what people say and do. Be open to learning and changing if your content isn't working as planned.

• Not understanding what your audience finds funny or sensitive: One group may find something funny, but another may find it offensive. It's very important to really understand your audience here.

You can use relatable content to build a loyal and engaged community around your brand by being real, knowing your audience, and using these ideas in a smart way. What moment will you share next that people can relate to?

We looked at how relatable content, like short TikToks and candid static posts, connects with people by reflecting real life and shared experiences. This real approach not only makes your brand more relatable, but it also builds community, fights ad fatigue, and encourages long-term, deep engagement. You can unlock a powerful strategy for organic growth and unwavering loyalty by putting real connection ahead of perfect production, being open to vulnerability, and really understanding your audience. Stop acting and start connecting.