Interview: Jana Ciaravolo on Creating Authentic Content

With so much digital noise and fast-moving trends, authenticity can feel like a rare gem and Jana Ciaravolo has found a way to bottle it.

As a social media manager and Content Coach, Jana’s story isn’t just about scaling an online presence or building a six-figure business.

Instead, it’s about reclaiming storytelling as a powerful tool for connection, impact, and growth.

From her early corporate days to leading a boutique agency around the world, Jana brings a refreshingly human touch to everything she creates.

In this conversation, she opens up about her journey, her approach to content that truly resonates, and the quiet power of starting before you’re ready.

Let’s travel through it together!

Tell us a bit about yourself Jana. How did your journey as a Social Media Manager & Content Coach begin?

I started in the corporate world—budgets, meetings, slide decks, the whole thing. But when I moved to Italy, I knew I couldn’t just transfer that life over like a suitcase. I needed something new. Something I could build with my own two hands that I can take with me wherever I go.

So I started at the very bottom, doing odd virtual assistant jobs here and there. Slowly, quietly, I began gravitating toward social media. The storytelling. The way it could make someone on the other side of the world feel something incredible.

That’s when I fell in love with it.

Eventually, I leaned all the way in and built a boutique agency. It’s small, mighty, and filled with wildly talented women from around the globe. Together, we help businesses get seen…not just in a “likes and views” kind of way, but in a way that actually grows their audience, builds trust, and leads to sales. We create content that doesn’t just sound good, it moves people to action. Because visibility is powerful, but visibility that converts? That’s what keeps your business alive. I could talk about this all day 🙂

As my love for the work grew, so did the questions from people in my circle.
“Wait, how do you write like that? It’s like you’re reading my mind.”
“I want write the way you do”

So I answered. And answered again. And eventually, I realized… maybe this isn’t just something I do. Maybe this is something I teach.

That’s how content coaching entered the picture.

Now, I help people truly show up as themselves or the brand they represent. Because when you learn to write in a way that feels like you, and it actually brings in clients? That’s the sweet spot.

Was there a specific moment or piece of content that helped you grow?

Honestly? It wasn’t one big moment.

It was a post-by-post body of work that became more mine over time.

In the beginning, I was all about giving value. Actionable tips. Step-by-step strategy. But when I began weaving in my stories, my perspective, my lived experience, the way I actually talk, that’s when inquiries started landing in my inbox and I had to scale.

And when I’d ask on discovery calls, “What made you reach out?” they’d say,
“Your content doesn’t read like a checklist or an encyclopedia of advice. It feels like a real, experienced person made it.”

That’s what did it.

If I could offer one thing to someone trying to grow online: Let your content sound like you. Not the algorithm. Not a textbook of your niche/industry.

What type of content do you enjoy creating the most and why?

I love storytelling that sneaks truth in the side door. Something that starts as a scroll, but leaves you rethinking how you do marketing… or life. Carousels like poetry. Emails like notes to a friend. And lately, I’m finding my way back to talking on camera because it’s something that I’ve really enjoyed in the past.

How do you decide which topics, trends, or tools to focus on in your content?

I love watching trends but I prioritize chasing resonance. I ask:

What’s keeping my followers up at night?
What feels underground obvious, like it’s true but no one’s saying it out loud yet?
What is helpful for them today?

If a trend fits the deeper story I’m telling, great. If not, I let it pass. I’d rather be timely and timeless than just trendy.

What challenges have you faced while building your personal brand?

Imposter syndrome has been my biggest challenge. It’s easy to get lost comparing yourself to amazing people around you. But when you find that special angle or voice that makes you unique and lean into it, that’s when an authentic brand takes shape.

Balancing clients, business, and life’s chaos is also part of being an entrepreneur. Finding that balance is a daily hustle.

Remembering that I don’t have to be a nonstop fountain of value every single day. Instead, I remind myself that showing up and being present and helpful in the moment is where true connection lives.

How do you maintain authenticity while working with brands or promoting products?

If I wouldn’t text a friend about it, I’m not posting about it. I treat brand partnerships like dinner dates: Is there chemistry? Shared values?
Do I like the way I feel after spending time with them? If yes, we’re good. If not, I politely decline.

Which tools or platforms help you stay consistent with your content?

Notion is my go-to for brain-dumping and organizing ideas. I use Slack, Canva and Capcut with my team a lot. Social Champ is my top pick for social media management and I just love how they’re open to feedback, they’re constantly optimizing and adding new features that make our lives so much easier.

But my biggest “tool” is spaciousness. I do my best work when I’m not rushing. When I give myself the permission to pause and reflect first, work second.

How do you measure success or impact as a creator?

At first, it was all about the monetary wins. I tracked every booking, every sale, every conversion with the intensity that you can only see from your best friend stalking your crush! And to be fair, it worked. My agency and coaching hit six figures.

But then I realized: sustainable success isn’t just revenue. It’s rhythm. It’s legacy.

Now, I still check the data (because numbers matter), but I also pay attention to what really lasts:

→ How many people say, “Your words helped me feel less alone?”
→ How many clients thrive long after we stop working together?
→ How often I read my own writing later and think, “Yep. Still true.”

That’s the kind of success I want to build: measurable and meaningful.

One piece of advice for aspiring creators or influencers in the digital space?

Start before you feel ready.
Start before the niche is perfect.
Start when your voice still shakes.

Don’t be afraid of the noise around you and just focus on your message. And of course, it doesn’t hurt to have the right tools in your back pocket.

What do you love doing when you’re not creating content?

Admiring my plants. I have massive indoor plants that I’ve had for years and they’re like old friends. Rewatching my comfort shows like The Office or Brooklyn Nine-Nine for the hundredth time, because yes, they’re great! I like a little K-drama sometimes.

Trying new cuisines and wandering around new cities in different countries with my husband. And every so often, I disappear from the internet just to remember who I am and how beautiful real life is without all the noise.

Jana’s journey is a masterclass in listening to your intuition, honoring your voice, and creating from a place of purpose. Her work reminds us that the most powerful content doesn’t always come from trends or tactics, it comes from truth.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your brand as a seasoned creator, her advice is a grounding reminder: You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room, you just need to be the most you. And that’s more than enough.

Thanks for your time and thoughts, Jana. Can’t wait to see what amazing things you do next.