The Art of Showing Up:
'Showing up' is more than just physical presence; it's an art that embodies consistency, engagement, and visibility. It plays a pivotal role in establishing and reinforcing your personal brand. Let’s look at how showing up consistently in networking spaces can significantly enhance your professional image and opportunities.
Consistency Breeds Recognition:
Regular attendance at networking events, conferences, or online forums isn't merely about ticking a box. It’s about becoming a familiar face, a known entity in your professional circle. The more consistently you show up, the more likely people are to remember you and what you represent. This familiarity breeds comfort, and comfort often leads to trust and opportunities.
Engagement as a Cornerstone of Presence:
Showing up goes beyond just being there; it's about active engagement. This means participating in discussions, contributing ideas, asking insightful questions, and showing genuine interest in others. Such engagement demonstrates your expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to your field, which are key elements of a strong personal brand. This is not just in person, this is online too. I am personally better at this on Facebook that any other platform and that shows in my stats.
E.g. I had a reel last week that on Facebook had a reach of 4.1k but the same real on Instagram only reached 86 people!! I am not showing up and engaging on Insta and that’s reflected in that reach.
Visibility Leads to Opportunities:
When you show up consistently, you increase your chances of encountering new opportunities. These could be job offers, partnerships, mentorships, or collaborations. The logic is simple – the more visible you are, the more likely you are to be on someone's radar when opportunities arise. This has been the case for me these last 18 months with people coming to join my team and new business opportunities in other areas.
Show Up as Your Authentic Self:
While consistency and visibility are important, how you show up matters too. Bringing your authentic self to these interactions makes your presence more memorable and meaningful. It’s about aligning your personal brand with your true values and letting that authenticity shine through in every interaction. Expressing your values helps others to align themselves with you too.
Digital Presence Matters:
In today’s digital age, showing up also means maintaining an active online presence. This could be through professional networking sites, industry forums, or social media platforms. A well-curated digital presence can amplify your personal brand and open doors to global networking opportunities.
Taking Action:
Evaluate your current networking strategy. Are you showing up regularly and engaging meaningfully? Set a goal to attend a certain number of events (virtual or physical) each month, participate actively in discussions, and update your digital networking profiles regularly.
I have created a BINGO sheet of communities I want to strategically spend time in. I have 16 on the sheet and my only goal is to get into each of those groups for 10-15mins per week and comment back on all the most recent posts that I can add value to.
Mastering the art of showing up in networking spaces is crucial for creating and maintaining a strong personal brand. It’s about making your presence known, valued, and remembered. By consistently showing up, engaging actively, and being authentic, you lay the groundwork for a robust professional network and a multitude of opportunities.
If you are in Ireland join my child-friendly female empowerment networking community here or here for Northern Ireland and why not invite your friends along too?
You can find our International Group here too!
Aislíng x
Rachel Coudron 42 w
I think digital presence isn't focused on enough. Here in rural France, locally owned businesses don't have an online presence. I always wonder how they bring in new consumers....