Spam Will Never Build Real Influence
There’s a big difference between attention and trust. Last week, I found out someone used my name, without permission, to try and sell their program to every single attendee on our event list. They didn’t connect. They didn’t engage. They didn’t build community.
They scraped names and sent mass, automated messages… pretending we were affiliated. This wasn’t just a bad marketing move; it was a betrayal of trust. They hijacked a space that Rachel and I intentionally built for human connection. If you’re building your brand around spammy tactics and stolen audiences, you’re not just burning bridges, you’re torching your reputation.
Most people don’t realize the cost of that kind of behavior. It’s not just about losing a sale. When you approach people this way, you lose their trust. You lose their respect. And you lose their openness to ever hearing from you again.
That kind of damage spreads quickly. In today’s world, where word-of-mouth travels at the speed of screenshots, one unethical move doesn’t stay private for long. The ripple effect can be significant, not only for your credibility but for how people perceive your brand moving forward.
People remember how you make them feel. And when your outreach feels manipulative or transactional, that feeling sticks. No clever copy or slick funnel will undo it. So when someone uses automation to bypass relationship building, it’s not just a poor tactic, it’s a reflection of their values. It shows they’re not here to serve, they’re here to extract.
And what concerns me most is that this isn’t an isolated incident. It’s a symptom of a larger problem in how people are taught to do business online. We’ve entered a digital culture that encourages speed over sincerity, automation over authenticity, and visibility over values. None of those shortcuts lead to meaningful, sustainable growth.
The brands that thrive now and will continue to thrive, are the ones rooted in trust, transparency, and connection. They’re led by people who understand that influence isn’t earned through manipulation. It’s earned through consistency, care, and a genuine commitment to showing up as a human first.
That’s why what happened last week matters. Not just for me and Rachel. Not just for our event. But for every business owner, entrepreneur, and brand builder who’s trying to do this the right way. Because if we don’t speak up and call this out for what it is, the line between connection and exploitation gets even blurrier. And for me, that line isn’t negotiable.
🔵 We’re here to build communities, not contact lists.
🔵 We’re here to foster trust, not transactions.
🔵 We’re here to YOUmanize™ the brand, not systematize the soul out of it.
Spam might get you a few clicks. But it will never earn you trust. And trust is the only thing that scales.
Reputation Is Still Your Most Valuable Currency
You might get a reply. You might even close a deal. But the long-term cost? It’s bigger than most people realize. We’re living in an era where trust is the new ROI. And on the flip side? The moment someone feels tricked or used, your brand equity goes down the drain.
Your digital footprint is forever, and your outreach strategy is your reputation. Everything you post, comment, share, or message online leaves a trail. And while your inbox might feel private, screenshots move fast. Trust me, our team saw this firsthand. That’s why the small moments matter.
✅ A thoughtful comment that helps someone feel seen.
✅ A message that genuinely adds value.
✅ A piece of content that sparks curiosity without selling.
This is the type of influence that lasts. Our clients have landed 6-figure deals, not from content calendars or fancy funnels, but from one meaningful DM, one authentic connection, one well timed post that hit the right person at the right time. This isn’t theory, it’s what we live and breathe every single day.
Take the client testimonial below, it’s proof of synergy. When someone publicly acknowledges how you impacted them, that impression doesn’t just reflect back on you in the moment, it filters down into everything you do. It influences how others perceive your brand, how opportunities flow your way, and how much long-term trust you build.
3 Small Shifts to Build Real Influence
Want to stop sounding like a bot and start sounding like you? Here’s where to begin:
✅ Ditch the templates. Rewrite your messages as if you were texting a friend, with care, not copy-paste.
✅ Comment to connect. Ask a real question. Don’t just drop emojis or “Great post!” replies.
✅ Post with purpose. Share insights your audience can use today, not a thought bubble from your journal.
These small actions build trust that stacks, reputations that compound, and brands that grow without manipulation. When I founded StandOut Authority, I wasn’t just reacting to the noise. I was responding to a deeper need: The need for real, human-first connection in the professional space. We’re not anti-tech. We’re anti-fake. Because automation without intention is just noise.
So we built something different:
🟠 Messaging that sounds like you, not your CRM
🟠 Content that sparks conversations, not just click
🟠 Community that grows organically, without cold DMs
🟠 Thought leadership that builds trust, without selling your soul
This is the YOUmanize™ Your Brand methodology. And it’s the heart of everything we teach and live out daily, with our clients and our team.
Let’s Keep This Conversation Going
Have you ever had someone hijack your list? Or send a message using your name without permission? How did you handle it? What did it teach you? Drop a comment or send me a DM, I want to hear your experience. This needs to be a community conversation, not a solo soapbox. Because this isn’t just about us. It’s about all of us who are building something real online.
ICYMI:
Want to Build a Brand That Outlives the Algorithm?
Rachel B. Lee and I are launching a brand new podcast, YOUmanize™ Your Brand, a deeper dive into how we build credibility, connection, and community online (without ever spamming a soul). This is your front-row seat to the StandOut Authority way, because when your brand is built on trust, you never need a “system” to force connection. Stay tuned and subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss out on the launch.
Podcast launch coming soon!
Stop Being the Best Kept Secret
If you know your expertise deserves to be seen at a higher level, now is the time to close that gap. 📢 We are opening just 5 spots for this next round of the Launchpad. When they are gone, they are gone. No fluff. No hype. Just a conversation to see if this is right for you.
See how the Launchpad helps you get found by the right people. And at the very least, if you are still not sure, start with something simple. Download our free guide that breaks down how Fortune 500 leaders are getting found on LinkedIn without posting every day or selling their soul to the algorithm. You know we got you.
Grab your free guide here 👉 https://standoutauthority.com/3hiddensignals