If no one sees you, no one remembers you.
And if no one trusts you, they won’t buy into anything you say.
Visibility and credibility. These two pillars are what every powerful personal brand is built on. You can be brilliant, experienced and driven, but none of it matters if people can’t find you or don’t trust you.
I learned this the hard way early in my career. I was creating decent work, staying behind the scenes and hoping opportunities would land in my inbox. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
But what changed? I started putting myself out there. Not in a shouty or salesy way, just with intent. I focused on showing up consistently and building a reputation that people could count on, incorporating both a level of visibility and credibility in my work.
Let’s break this down.
Visibility: Show Up, Don’t Shrink
You can’t build a personal brand in silence. Visibility means being present in the places that matter, online and offline.
Think of visibility as the invitation to the party. If you’re not showing up, you’re not even in the room. And showing up doesn’t mean you have to be everywhere. It means being strategic. Where is your audience? Where do decision-makers hang out? That’s where you need to be.
Start with these:
- LinkedIn: Optimise your profile, post weekly and comment with intent.
- Industry Events: Panels, networking events, even virtual coffee chats. Show face and follow up.
- Content: Write. Speak. Share. Whatever your medium, put out value reflecting your skills and viewpoint.
The goal isn’t to chase followers. It’s to be consistently seen by the right people in the right rooms.
Credibility: Be the Real Deal
Once people see you, they’ll start asking: “Can I trust this person? Do they actually know what they’re talking about?”
Credibility answers those questions before they’re even asked. As I mentioned in one of my previous articles, Social proof is the secret to a strong personal brand.
You build it by backing up what you say. That means showing evidence of your work: case studies, client feedback, collaborations, or even thoughtful insights based on your lived experience. People don’t just want to hear about what you think. They want proof you’ve done it.
Here’s how to boost credibility:
- Share wins, not just wisdom: Talk about results. Whether it’s about metrics, outcomes or stories. Show the receipts!
- Leverage testimonials: Ask for them. Post them. Let others speak on your behalf, it’s far more powerful when you get third-party validation that can vouch for what you do and what you can bring ot the table..
- Be consistent: Across platforms, in conversations and with your message. Consistency breeds trust and trust breeds collaboration.
- Teach what you know: If you can explain it simply, you own it. Whether through workshops, blogs or quick how-to posts, position yourself as someone who helps and serves others.
Think of visibility as your shop window. Credibility is what’s inside.
Why You Need Both
Some people are visible but not credible. Saying a lot but delivering little. Others are credible but not visible. Experts in their field, doing great work behind the scenes, but invisible to the people who could change their lives.
You need both. One without the other is a missed opportunity.
A strong brand gets attention and earns trust. It opens doors, builds relationships, and puts you on the radar for jobs, press, partnerships or speaking gigs. Not because you begged for them, but because you were already top of mind.
Practical Next Steps
Here’s a simple action plan to help you build both visibility and credibility:
- Audit your digital presence
Google yourself. Check your LinkedIn. Does your online presence reflect the person you want to be known as? Tweak accordingly. - Post once a week on a media platform of your choice
Share a recent lesson, a win, a tip or a reflection. Keep it real and personable, not robotic. - Ask for one testimonial
From a client, colleague or mentor. Post it and add it to your profile. - Attend one industry event or webinar
And follow up with one person you met. Visibility and relationship-building in one. - Teach something you know
Run a free session, share something with a community or write a blog post for a publication. Be useful, not perfect.
None of this needs to be flashy or complicated. When it comes to putting out content, work with what’s sustainable. Whether it’s weekly or fortnightly, commit to something that feels manageable. It just needs to be consistent.
Moving Forward
Your personal brand is your reputation in action. It’s not just how you present yourself, but how people experience you. Build it with care, and lead with visibility and credibility at the core.
If you focus only on visibility, you risk becoming all talk. If you focus only on credibility but stay hidden, people may never discover your value.
When visibility and credibility work together, your personal brand becomes a magnet. People not only see you, but they also trust you. They associate your name with quality, clarity and impact.
Always remember that visibility gets you in the room and credibility keeps you there
See you next week!
