Lesson 3: Get visible before you feel ready

You don’t need a website to be visible and connect with your audience.

You can start contacting people you know to spread the word out about your new project.

I also like to use social media to share and test my ideas, when I am clarifying my brand vision and the problem I want to solve. 

It takes time to build a following. 

But, you don’t have to wait until your website is published to grow your visibility online.

Below are benefits you can get from showing up on social media, before you feel ready.

Less overthinking

It’s free, fast, and flexible to create a new account on social media. 

As most platforms allow you to modify your social handle (or username), you don’t need to overthink the name for your business.

If you plan to work with companies, consider starting with LinkedIn. You probably know people who are already on that platform. Start connecting with them.

If you don’t know which platform to choose, I recommend starting with Twitter. Why? Well, because it’s easy to post short messages as well as finding and sharing content from others.

Here is the account I created on Twitter. For the moment, I use it to share articles I find online until my website is ready.

I also like Instagram, because I have found that I can create deeper connections with people using this platform. 

However, starting with Instagram could be intimidating if you don’t know what pictures to post.

Faster access to your audience

Once you have chosen your preferred social media platform, look for its search feature.

Research influencers and followers who are in your industry, to see what they share, who they follow, and who follow them. 

You can get a better sense of your market by connecting and interacting with people who are aligned with your mission.

Improve your message

Use social media to provide value so you can help your audience. 

The more you post, the more you will learn about what you like or don’t like sharing. 

It’s also a good way to test the topics that resonate with your audience.

Your next action steps

Pick a social media platform where your target audience is primarily active. 

Create your account.

As you create a personal brand, upload a photo of you rather than a logo to build trust. 

Find like-minded people in your industry and look at the topics they are sharing.

Finally, you can start sharing your message with the world.

Tip: If you need help with being visible online, then I suggest that you follow Denise Wakeman, as she is a Visibility Expert. She has also kindly accepted my offer to be my first guest on my podcast. Listen to her interview to get some ideas about how you could position your brand online.

Note that using social media can be overwhelming. So, I recommend that you keep your social activity as a low priority until you have a clear strategy to grow your business.

Don’t forget that your current priority is to focus on validating your idea and clarifying your message.

Previous lessons:

• Lesson 1: How to launch your brand
• Lesson 2: Create offers your clients want