The Optimization Toolbox by Jenna Redfield is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Over the years of working with clients on their marketing and content, I’ve noticed a pattern: so many people have the same hang-ups when it comes to visibility. They want to grow their brand, they know they should be putting themselves out there — but fear, self-doubt, and a desire to “play it safe” get in the way.

For me, visibility feels natural. I’ve been showing up online for years, experimenting with video, sharing stories, and making connections. But I’ve learned that for a lot of people, this is really hard.

That’s why this conversation with Tami Enfield of Brand Yourself Consulting was so interesting to me. Tami approaches the challenge from the angle of authenticity — helping people show up in a way that feels real and human, instead of polished and performative.

I wanted to bring our two perspectives together — visibility and authenticity — because when you combine them, you get content that not only reaches people but resonates.

From StoryBrand to Candid Content

Tami’s background includes certification in the popular StoryBrand framework, but over time, she shifted toward a more human-centered approach. She noticed that while frameworks like StoryBrand help clarify messaging, they don’t always address the creator’s experience making the content.

Why So Many People Struggle to Show Up Authentically

From Tami’s work with clients, three big fears keep people from creating real, memorable content:

* Fear of judgment – Worrying about how they’ll be perceived.

* Thinking they have nothing interesting to say – Underestimating their own story.

* Fear of seeming unprofessional – Especially when blending personal and professional topics.

These fears lead to “safe” content — posts that check the box but don’t connect.

Performative vs. Authentic Content

We talked about “performative” posts — the kind that look polished but don’t show the real human behind them. Signs your content might be performative:

* Only sharing highlight reels

* Posting on certain causes just when it’s trending (and disappearing the rest of the year)

* Avoiding any signs of struggle

Authentic content, on the other hand, can be imperfect, but it resonates because it’s real.

Sharing from the Scar, Not the Wound

One of my favorite takeaways from Tami: share vulnerable stories from the scar, not the wound.

* From the wound: You’re still raw, triggered, or processing.

* From the scar: You’ve processed the experience and can focus on the lessons learned.

This keeps your content from becoming “trauma dumping” while still allowing your audience to connect with your humanity.

Why Not Everyone Should Like Your Content

If you’re trying to make posts that everyone agrees with, you’ll water down your voice until it’s forgettable. As Tami said, “If nobody hates your content, you’re probably not saying much.”

Leaning into your unique perspective and niche means some people will love you and others won’t — and that’s okay.

The Candid Content Framework

Tami’s framework blends audience-focused and creator-focused content creation:

Audience-Focused (CAN)

* Connection – Align with your core values and show empathy.

* Alignment – Make sure your content fits your brand values.

* Narrative – Tell a story that connects.

Creator-Focused (DID)

* Daring – Push your comfort zone just a little.

* Inspired – Post content you’re genuinely excited about.

* Delighted – Share things that make you happy to hit publish.

Links & Resources Mentioned

* Brand Yourself Consulting

* Tami on Instagram

* Tami on LinkedIn

* The Candid Content Revolution Podcast

Checkout our first episode back in 2019 above

Ready to Show Up Authentically Yourself?

If this conversation with Tami got you thinking about how you’re showing up online—and maybe realizing you’re ready to step into more visibility—that’s exactly the work I do with my clients.

Through my Untangle Clarity Calls, we take all the ideas, content, and messaging that feel scattered and simplify them into a clear, actionable visibility plan. It’s about untangling the noise so you can focus on showing up in a way that feels like you.

And if you want to create a lot of on-brand content in one go, my VIP Video Days are perfect for batch-filming high-quality videos in person, so you can show up consistently without the stress of figuring it out week to week.

You can check out all the details and book your spot here:

https://redthreadstudiomn.com/

Thanks for reading The Optimization Toolbox by Jenna Redfield! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Get full access to The Optimization Toolbox by Jenna Redfield at jennaredfield.substack.com/subscribe

How to Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt to Create Real, Authentic Content with the C.A.N.D.I.D. Content Framework