Most women entrepreneurs are somewhat obsessed with the questions “How do I become more visible?” “Will people recognize my difference?” and “How can I shine in the marketplace?”

Creating a successful business demands that you find many ways to be more visible and viable.

That means communicating your core message across everything that you do—visually, verbally, in print, and online.

The journey to becoming more visible is really special; however, it can also be intimidating. For a long time in building my company, discovering my unique brand was my biggest blind spot, primarily because my name and face were connected to the 10 and 11 o’clock news at WPXI in Pittsburgh for over 20 years. After I quit to launch my businesses, I felt lost, at times with no vision for them, and I definitely compared myself to others.

I must admit, visibility is really more of a journey of self-discovery than doing Facebook lives and fancy photo shoots. Visibility is, first, an inside job. For most women, it doesn’t happen overnight but through a process of peeling back the layers and exposing you, at your core level.

To help you design the life and business you can feel empowered by, I’m sharing what I have learned along my own journey and some steps I help my coaching clients through to become more visible in the crowded marketplace and attract their ideal clients and customers.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

It may be tempting to hide, play small, stay out of the spotlight and not speak up, but this will get you nowhere. You not only limit your exposure, you also limit your own potential. When you choose to shine, really bring that inner glow to life. Then, you attract others who are drawn to your light.

Personal development is key to this. Doing the internal work to silence the voice that sings doubt, worry, and fear in your ear is crucial to you pulling the curtains back and stepping onto the stage to shine. Spending time reading, praying, meditating, and journaling are all steps for you to discover your true confident self.

BRING PEOPLE INTO YOUR WORLD

If you’re struggling to share your a unique message that truly represents who you are and what you have to offer, look at what you’re doing during the week and on the weekends, and think about how you can bring it all into your business.

You don’t always have to post and tweet about your product or service. Every once in a while, show folks what you’re cooking for dinner, the new pair of shoes you bought or family photos from vacation. Being visible is not about being perfect first; it’s about being authentic.

TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR

You don’t have to wait until you whiten your teeth or lose 20 pounds for you to be more visible. You just need to be the best that you are right now.

Hair and makeup, wardrobe, and jewelry are essential parts of how we present ourselves through videos, broadcasts, graphics, and social posts—and they are important to marketing, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money to look good.

Having clarity on what works for you will streamline your shopping process and give you greater confidence in your look. I also recommend choosing wardrobe stylists, as well as hair and make-up experts, especially for events and photo shoots. Find someone you feel comfortable with who can help you present the best version of yourself.

My hope is that you’ll have an easier time becoming more visible on your way to being iconic and identifiable.

All in all, the most important part of being visible is to remember that you are one of a kind. No one in the history of the world has ever been you. So step out, shine bright, fail forward, be vulnerable, take risks, make mistakes, and most importantly, make yourself proud by just being you.

 

 

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Darieth Chisolm is a visibility and multi-media strategist who coaches women to become confident and outrageously successful. She is also a cyber harassment activist through her organization 50 Shades of Silence.