Have you ever looked at your Instagram feed and wondered, ‘’How do I make my brand feel relatable?’’ It’s easy to assume that you need to have perfect-looking pictures and viral Reels to shine on IG.

However, in 2025, people are looking for authenticity. Not perfection. Many consumers do not want to associate only with the big brands. They desire to be associated with human-relatable brands.

Do you want to establish actual trust on Instagram, not aesthetic only? Read on to find out how.

Know who you are

Transparency is one of the aspects that foster authenticity. Would you like to post another photo or video? First, be honest about what you are as a brand. Here are some questions to help you discover your brand:

• What do we believe in?
• Why are we different than our competitors?
• What is our natural tone of voice; are we friendly, bold, funny, or educative?

Define this and adhere to it. Not everybody has to like you. But when you are authentic, the right people will remember you.

Present the humans behind the logo

Humans purchase other human beings, not anonymous accounts. If your Instagram looks like a digital brochure, then it is time to draw the curtain.

Share:

• Behind-the-scenes moments
• Founder or group introductions
• Wins and mistakes
• Your process, not only the end product.

There is no need to have a complete photoshoot. Even a rushed selfie-like Story can create more credibility and generate more trust than a well-crafted video ever could. If you struggle to stay consistent, tapping into professional social media services can help you execute your strategy without losing your unique voice

Stop talking to people, start talking with them

Posting is only half the job. Connection occurs through conversation. Here is how to establish community rather than broadcasting:

• Ask authentic questions in captions
• Respond to all comments as a normal person, not a robot
• Use stories, polls, and question boxes to initiate participation
• Show up in the DMs of your followers first. Congratulate them, compliment them, encourage them.

When individuals feel noticed, they will hang around.

Share your values, but make it real

Consumers are no longer interested in what you sell. But what you stand for. What is important for your brand? Is it sustainability, inclusivity, or kindness? Then, demonstrate it in practice, not in words.

Rather than mentioning ‘’We care about small businesses,’’ mention one that you like. Rather than posting a quote on empowerment, consider sharing a customer story that illustrates the same concept. Authenticity isn’t declared. It’s demonstrated.

Don’t follow fads that do not suit your brand

Yes, trends can increase reach, but you have to align them with your brand. It is not worth using a viral audio or meme that does not resonate with you. Integrity translates to a high reach.

If someone is listening to your content without sound, captions, or a username, your brand should still be recognizable. Such identity is built by consistency, rather than trend-chasing.

The takeaway

You do not need perfect aesthetics and posting every day to succeed in Instagram marketing. You require sincerity, character, and presence. Show up as you are. On Instagram, authenticity is your biggest competitive edge.