The Human Touch - Why Connection Trumps Perfection in Marketing

What if connection mattered more than perfection?

We spend so much time trying to get it just right. The perfect post. The flawless launch. The email that says everything, without saying too much.

But there’s a slight problem with that… “just right” to you can still be not right to someone else.
Perfection is a moving target, shaped by perception and opinion. So instead of chasing something that doesn’t even exist, what if you just… showed up as you?

Because marketing isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being felt.

Perfection Is a Moving Target

Perfectionism can feel safe, like a buffer between you and the awkward vulnerability of being truly seen. But it’s also what keeps you stuck - tinkering with drafts or over-editing posts. Holding back until things are “ready.”

Especially for thoughtful or neurodivergent business owners, the noise of traditional marketing can feel overwhelming. And perfectionism? It can be paralysing.

But there’s a twist: those moments you do ditch the polished script with wild abandon? They will probably land the best.

I’ve had posts with typos go viral. Emails I nearly didn’t send spark the most replies.

People don’t connect with perfect. They connect with real.

We Like People More When They’re Imperfect

There’s actual research to back this up. A psychological phenomenon called the Pratfall Effect.

Back in 1966, psychologist Elliot Aronson ran a study where participants listened to recordings of people answering quiz questions. One high-performing individual (who got 92% of the questions right) spilled coffee at the end, and surprisingly, this made them more likeable.

Why? Because the blunder made them feel more human and relatable. The same mistake, however, made an average performer less likeable.

So it’s not about messing up for the sake of it, it’s about showing competence and humanity. That sweet spot is where trust grows.

This effect extends to business, too. Brands that own their imperfections, like Domino’s Pizza admitting their recipes needed improving, often gain more trust and loyalty in return*.

It’s the same reason those “Instagram vs. reality” posts do so well. When someone shows up trying to replicate glossy, airbrushed images and looks like a real person in it, we feel seen.

Because we are real people.
We’re not walking around in ring lights or rehearsed perfection.
We are messy, beautiful, wonderfully diverse humans, and yes, sometimes awkward and often overthinking.

And it turns out… that’s exactly what people connect with most.

Connection Converts - Perfection Exhausts

When people feel emotionally connected to you, they remember you. They refer you. They buy from you.

That’s why my content creation membership isn’t just about writing, it’s about holding space.
It’s a place where people can say, “I don’t know what I’m trying to say,” and be met with, “Okay, let’s figure it out together.”

Because clarity comes when you feel safe enough to explore your own voice.
And connection starts when you stop trying to be impressive and start being honest.

Marketing that resonates doesn’t come from a polished pedestal; it comes from the messy middle, the real life, and the “I’m figuring this out as I go” energy.

Your Imperfections Are Your Power

The pursuit of perfection delays action. It fuels burnout. It tells you that you have to earn visibility with flawlessness.

But connection? That invites you to be seen as you are.

So write the imperfect post. Record the unpolished video. Send the email that’s more heartfelt than “strategic.”

Because showing up as a human builds more trust than any slick funnel ever could.

Final Thoughts

So, here’s your invitation:

🧡 Let go of perfect.
🧡 Say the thing that feels true, even if it’s not neat.
🧡 Make marketing a space for connection, not performance (or d*ck swinging)

Your audience doesn’t need you to be perfect.
They need you to be you.

And if you’re ready to explore what that looks like - with a bit of support, laughter, and space to figure it out - you’re always welcome inside the membership.

Curious about that Domino's line? Here’s the deets:

*In 2009, Domino's Pizza launched the "Pizza Turnaround" campaign, openly acknowledging customer dissatisfaction with their product. They featured candid customer critiques in their advertising, such as describing their crust as "cardboard" and their sauce as "ketchup." This transparency led to a complete overhaul of their pizza recipe, resulting in improved customer perception and increased sales. ​About Resilience -+6