Bringing Out the Human Side of Digital Marketing

We’re living in this super-techy era where everything’s about clicks, data, and algorithms. But let’s be real—no one wants to feel like just another number in a spreadsheet. People are out here craving connections, not canned responses or robotic marketing campaigns. And that’s exactly why bringing a human touch into your digital marketing game is so important.
It’s not about ditching technology altogether—let’s not get crazy here—but about blending it with a bit of personality, some good vibes, and a lot of heart. Because, honestly, your audience doesn’t care about how advanced your tools are. They care about how you make them feel, whether that’s heard, understood, or even just entertained for a second.
Think about the brands you love. Chances are, they’ve nailed this whole “human” thing. Whether they’re cracking jokes on social media or sharing stories that hit you right in the feels, they know how to keep it real. And you can do it too!
The trick is to stop focusing solely on “conversions” and start focusing on conversations. Yes, conversations—those back-and-forth exchanges that actually make people feel like, you know, people. Because when your marketing feels more like a chat with a friend than a pitch from a salesperson, you’re doing something right.
Understanding Your Audience
These aren’t just faceless profiles scrolling through your feed—they’re real people with quirks, preferences, and probably a favorite kind of pizza.
You’ve got to figure out what makes them tick. Start by digging into the good stuff: their habits, likes, dislikes, and what keeps them up at night (besides binge-watching shows). Check out your social media insights, customer reviews, and even the questions they’re asking online. It’s like being a detective, but instead of solving crimes, you’re solving how to make them feel seen.
Once you’ve got the scoop, it’s time to get personal. And no, that doesn’t mean sending everyone the same “Hey, friend!” email. Personalization is key. Craft emails that actually feel like they were written for them, not the whole planet. Throw in their name, recommend products they’d actually want, or even a funny gif if that’s their vibe.
But here’s the thing: don’t overcomplicate it. People want to feel like you “get” them, not like you’re snooping around their search history. Keep it casual, relatable, and, most importantly, real. When you truly understand who you’re talking to, you’re not just another ad in their face—you’re the brand they actually want to interact with.
Storytelling in Marketing
Let’s be real—nobody wants to listen to a sales pitch disguised as an ad.
But tell them a story? Now you’ve got their attention. Humans are wired to love stories—it’s like our default setting. And in marketing, storytelling isn’t just some fancy extra; it’s the secret sauce that makes your brand stick. In fact, storytelling in marketing has taken off like a rocket, growing by 46% in 2024 alone and increasing search interest by 6.6k over the past five years.
Here’s the deal: good stories tap into feelings, not features. They’re not just about “we’re the best at this” or “look at how cool our product is.” They’re about experiences, memories, and moments that your audience connects with on a gut level. Maybe it’s a hilarious fail turned triumph, or a heartwarming anecdote about how your product made someone’s life easier. Whatever it is, make it relatable.
Oh, and don’t think your brand always has to be the hero. Sometimes you’re just the sidekick—the trusty helper who makes the audience feel like the main character in their own epic tale. Because really, who doesn’t want to feel like the star of the show?
So, skip the boring bullet points about what your product does and focus on how it fits into someone’s life. Whether you make them laugh, cry, or think, that connection is what keeps them coming back for more.
Utilizing Social Media for Genuine Engagement
Social media’s basically the world’s biggest hangout spot, so if your brand isn’t showing up, you’re missing out on a lot more than just memes and cat videos.
But here’s the thing—nobody’s logging in to be bombarded by salesy posts or lifeless ads. They want to vibe with real people, not faceless companies. That means ditching the corporate tone and acting like an actual human being.
Jump into the comments and reply like you mean it—no copy-paste, generic “Thank you for your feedback!” nonsense. If someone’s sharing their love for your product, hype them up like they just won an award. If someone has a question, answer it like you’re texting a friend. Better yet, ask them questions too! What’s their favorite product? How did they hear about you? Keep it fun and light.
And don’t sleep on humor—if your brand can nail a funny tweet or post, you’ll have people liking and sharing faster than you can say “viral.” But, heads up, authenticity matters way more than trying to be funny all the time. People can spot a fake a mile away, so keep it real and relatable.
Oh, and if someone’s complaining? Don’t ghost them. Acknowledge it, fix it if you can, and show the world that you actually care. It’s all about building those two-way connections, one comment or DM at a time.
The Role of Customer Feedback
Let’s talk feedback—yep, that thing we all secretly dread but absolutely need.
It’s like that one friend who tells you your outfit is a mess before you walk out the door. Sure, it stings a little, but it saves you from public embarrassment. In marketing, feedback is the ultimate cheat code. Your customers are out here giving you the play-by-play on what they love, hate, and wish you’d do better—why wouldn’t you listen?
Ask for their thoughts through reviews, polls, or even those quick “How’d we do?” pop-ups. Yeah, they can feel like an annoyance sometimes, but trust me, people love sharing their two cents—especially if they’ve got strong opinions (and don’t we all?). The trick is not to just collect feedback but actually do something with it.
Got a bunch of folks saying they want faster shipping? Maybe it’s time to step up your game. Did someone say your website’s harder to navigate than putting together IKEA furniture? Fix it! And don’t be afraid to let people know you’re listening. Share updates, show you’ve made changes based on what they said, and give them a little shoutout where it makes sense.
When you treat feedback like the golden nugget it is, people notice—and that’s how you turn regular customers into ride-or-die fans.
Human-Centered Content Creation
Creating content that actually hits home with your audience is all about putting yourself in their shoes—or, you know, their favorite slippers if we’re getting cozy.
It’s not just about tossing out tips and tricks or spamming them with sales-y stuff. Nope, it’s about making them feel like you get where they’re coming from. Picture this: you’re scrolling through your feed, and boom, you see a post that makes you laugh, solves a problem you didn’t even know you had, or just feels like it was written for you. That’s the vibe you’re going for.
The key is to keep it real. Share things that your audience can actually relate to—stuff that fits into their day-to-day life, not some out-of-touch fantasy world. Got a skincare brand? Talk about the struggle of waking up with a zit the size of Mount Everest. Selling gadgets? Show how it makes life easier in ways that are oddly specific but totally accurate (like cutting down your morning routine by 15 minutes so you can actually enjoy your coffee hot for once).
And hey, don’t be afraid to have some fun. Add memes, jokes, or a quirky anecdote here and there if it suits your brand. Just make sure it feels natural. People connect with authenticity, not a forced attempt to be “relatable.”
The Future of Humanized Marketing
Let’s call it—humanized marketing isn’t just a phase; it’s the way forward.
Sure, tech is getting smarter by the second, but no algorithm’s ever going to replace a good laugh, a heartfelt story, or that “OMG, they totally get me” feeling your audience craves. The brands that win tomorrow are the ones who get this today.
So, what’s the game plan? Keep it simple. Stay curious about your audience, experiment with content that feels fresh and authentic, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real. And hey, it’s okay to make tweaks along the way—marketing’s basically just one big trial-and-error experiment with a lot of emojis thrown in.
The bottom line? People are out here looking for connection, not cold, lifeless sales pitches. So, keep doing you—talk to your audience like they’re your friends, own up to your mistakes, and celebrate your wins together. The future of marketing isn’t about talking *at* people; it’s about vibing *with* them. And trust me, when you nail that, your audience won’t just stick around—they’ll actually root for you.
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