Be Not Afraid of Visibility
As a spokesperson for getting more visibility for you and your business, I’m often asked questions from people who equate “visibility” and “online visibility” with loss of privacy.
The fear is that everyone will know your every move, that whatever you put out will be up for public scrutiny, and that someone somewhere will call you out for the fraud that you are. (Not that you’re a fraud, but you’d be surprised how many experts harbor that innermost fear).
Be not afraid, my child.
Consider this your “talking off the ledge” chat with me. Trust me, I’ve done this plenty of times and perhaps I should have some kind of Visibility Hotline set up because I address this matter (discreetly) so often with clients and in casual conversations. Today’s the day to bring this to the public eye.
So here goes, in handy point-by-point format so you can print this out and put it under that “In Case of Emergency Break Glass” kit. And it’s only 3 points so I know you won’t forget.
1. You’re not Oprah, Brangelina, Will and Kate.
The paparazzi are not interested in trailing a consultant who offers marketing advice to start-ups. Nor are they looking to camp out in front of the house of a professional speaker who does keynotes for the retail industry. One of the first fears of getting more visibility has to do with loss of privacy. Unless your name starts with Oprah, I wouldn’t stress over this one. Get out there- the world isn’t nearly as obsessed with you as you are. (And I say that in the nicest way possible)
2. You’re Not a Fraud
I’ve had clients with advanced Ivy League degrees, perched high atop the expert pantheon of their industry, come to me and distress over not being as qualified as the person 1 rung above them. The fear is that they’ll say something that someone will refute, leading to the demise of their reputation and overall humiliation in their field. The defense response is to not say anything, to play it safe and to live meekly under everyone else. If you’ve not gone through the VIVA Formula, then I suggest you do that right now. It’s a simple 4 step process that will help you see that YES you’re qualified and NO you don’t have to worry about being a fraud.
3. You Can Be Selectively Visible
This is the true gem to hold onto. The reason why visibility scares so many business owners is that they feel it’ll become a runaway train. However, when you’ve carefully crafted your message to solve a specific problem for a specific audience, then you’ve found a niche. My first rule for a niche is that there has to be mutual love between you and them. In that mutual love comes understanding. They get your jokes. They love your stuff. They think you rock. If you haven’t done any work recently on ideal clients, go read this post and watch the video NOW. This makes all the difference in the world. You don’t have to be everything to everyone… just be a LOT to a few and you’ll reap the rewards.
Remember: the world wants and needs what you have. The solution your business provides is medicine for the people. Don’t worry about what others think, if someone will criticize you, or if you’re not as smart as the next person. If you’re solving problems for people, working honestly and ethically, leading with your heart, and attracting ideal clients then your reputation will pave the way for high visibility.
About Nancy Marmolejo
