How to increase your visibility

As part of the 30 day blogging challenge, I’ve been researching and posting about personal branding and, as part of my career coaching course, I came across a really simple framework that anyone can use to help them identify how visible they are, either online or off. It simply asks you to assess how visible you are across three spheres:

People

Offline: This is how many people who you know personally and who know of you. For example, you will be well known to your friends, family and immediate work colleagues, but how well know or how visible are you to senior managers? If you apply for a job internally, your reputation within the company will open many doors for you. To increase your visibility strategically, your first need to look at who you want to be visible to and then look at how you could get introduced to them.

Online: How many people are you connected to online? This could be your friends on Facebook, your followers on Twitter etc and your connections on LinkedIn. Networking etiquette online is a little more relaxed, except on LinkedIn , where professional standards are expected. Many people will accept an invitation to connect from someone who takes the time to introduce themselves. Once you are connected, then take the time to nurture and build a relationship with the person. My post 6 simple ways of adding value to your LinkedIn network can help.

Places

Offline: This could be anywhere from your office, your place of worship and the clubs that you are a member of. How many times have you heard than more business is conducted on the golf course than the board room? If you want to raise your visibility, look at where the people you want to be visible to hang out.

Online: Which groups do you belong to on Facebook and LinkedIn? Have you joined or do you actually take part in discussions? If you’re on Twitter, do you take the opportunity to follow the leaders in your field of expertise? For example, from a business point of view in Ireland there is the #irishbizparty chat session on Wednesday evenings and on Sunday evening Theo Paphitis has his #sbs sunday.

Events

Offline: These could be anything from weddings and funerals, to professional networking groups and conferences. Use them as a way of introducing yourself to others.

Online: For example, from a business point of view in Ireland there is the #irishbizparty chat session on Wednesday evenings and on Sunday evening Theo Paphitis has his #sbs sunday.