“I know I need to be putting myself out there more, but I don’t know where to start and then I get overwhelmed!”
How many times have you said this out loud, or thought it to yourself? You’re definitely not alone. Most of the women I work with inside my brand strategy sessions and Greatness Mastermind have felt the same way.
They start out with something like, “Well, I heard that I should be on Facebook because that’s where a lot of brands in my industry are.” There’s that pesky word, though: should. I do not believe that you should show up in a particular way. I just want you to show up in ways that feel good.
Why showing up matters
When I say showing up, I mean all of the ways that you’re present in your business besides running the show. I know you do that. Whether you’re a service provider, a coach, the mastermind behind amazing products… how are you showing up besides the internal work?
Are you talking to your audience? Are you engaging with new people online or in person? Are you growing visibility by going on podcasts or attending networking events? Are you sharing your ideas via live video, a blog, your email list?
For some people, this version of showing up might sound a lot like “marketing,” and I’ll be honest. They are pretty similar. But one is rooted in formulas, frameworks, and (quite honestly) investments that I don’t always think are necessary.
Plus, they tell you that you have to do something a certain way. I think you can show up how you want to show up — and get better results. Why is that?
Because when you feel good about how you’re showing up for your audience, your audience feels it. They see how genuine you are about the ideas you’re sharing or the help you’re offering. You’re more at ease, you’re more relatable, and you just connect better.
That’s why I call it showing up. And I want to help you embrace this new approach to what it means to own and run a business in today’s digital space.
So… how are you showing up?
Just think about the last time you did something you should do just because someone told you to. Did you feel excited? Did you show up as your best self? Or was it kind of annoying, and maybe even felt like a waste of your time?
Let’s project that on to the rest of your efforts to show up. What if you only did what you should do? Would you feel motivated to get online, write that blog, pitch that podcast? Probably not. My best is, all of your showing up would get pushed to the bottom of your list because it just wouldn’t light you up. That won’t help you reach your goals, though, and certainly won’t grow your profits.
That’s why I want you to focus on what you want to do in terms of your visibility and online presence. Instead of thinking about what made you feel disingenuous or detached from your audience, let’s think about where you are showing up regularly. Where do you spend the most time talking to your potential customers or clients?
Why do you show up there? What do you like about it? For many of the women I ask these questions to, the answer to “What do you like about it?” is often “It feels more natural to me,” or “I can be myself.”
Newsflash! That is what it means to show up! And it doesn’t have to be more difficult than that. Of course, if you’re new to business or haven’t really embraced any sort of platform yet, I think you can play around a bit. Have some fun!
Have fun with the ways you show up
After all of that, do you have an idea of a platform or a medium (writing, video, in-person) that feels best to you? Do you have an idea or thought you want to share that you know will resonate with your audience? Do you have a launch or a new offer coming out soon but wondering how to get more eyes on it?
You know that what you do today, tomorrow, next week, and four weeks from now will continue to build your brand visibility and your audience… but staying consistent and knowing how to show up can be overwhelming.
Simply deciding on how to show up can wear you out.
I have some good news for you: I’ve done the thinking for you (#yourewelcome) and crafted a list of 52 ways to show up and build your brand visibility. All you have to do is download it, decide how brave you’re feeling, and commit to showing up and sharing your message.
Showing up doesn’t mean you should do something. Showing up means you want to be there, and you have something to say. Hopefully these ideas help you share what you’re mean to share — in a way that feels amazing for you.
For more insights on how to feel more rooted in yourself, your business, and your brand, make sure you’re subscribing to the Brave New You podcast!
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