Creating Unparalleled Visibility

Achieving consistent visibility plays an important role in our ability to sustain successful relationships with others.

Moving to Indianapolis, Indiana in January 1988, not knowing anyone, my mission was simply to meet as many people as possible.

I have always liked meeting people and it’s been easy for me being somewhat of an extrovert. I told a friend that I would set a goal to meet no less than about 10,000 people a year. I did just that.

Forming the Indiana Business Network, currently known as BNI (Business Network International), a must organization for all net workers, I then quickly moved into the mainstream of movers and shakers networking in the Indianapolis business community.

The visibility was great. Imagine the opportunity to meet and greet dozens of new people weekly in a controlled strong contact-networking environment where the sole purpose of our gathering was to build long lasting relationships and share business opportunities with one another. I’m sure that you would agree it was a great place to be.

Over the course of seven years, I met an average of 10,000 people a year. Averaging 28 people a day for seven years, there’s no mystery to the benefits that followed.

If all the people I connected with knew between 200 to 300 people, then I would literally have access to between 2 to 3 million people. Wow! It would feel unbelievable to truly gain access to so many contacts.

But as you are learning, and as I have learned from this experience, it is not about how many people you meet or how many contacts you make. It is about the connection. How do you go about converting the contacts you make into connections that serve one another for a lifetime?
Targeted Visibility: Intentional & Focused Approach

Targeting your visibility involves choosing those focus groups where your goals and objectives align to the objectives of others within these groups.

There are countless ways we meet people just by following interests. To meet people that align with your interests, you must pay attention to how you are spending your time, what you are saying yes to, and with whom. Your visibility will take on a life of its own, multiplying exponentially.

Create Visibility: The Stages to Play On

Networking groups: There are hundreds of viable and vibrant networking groups and associations nationally. Visit as a non-member and see if the association/ organization is right for you.
Business cards and brochures: Hand out information about what you do including how they might contact you, so they better understand what you do. It’s a natural and expected ritual, and it’s economical. This information takes on a life of its own. You never know when an individual will come across this information and reconnect with you, or refer it to someone else.

Attending workshops, seminars, and conferences: There is never a substitute for facts information and knowledge. Get out and align yourself with others who share your goals and objectives.

Chamber of Commerce after hours and other Chamber events: This is a great place to show up to meet lots of interesting people who will enjoy meeting you as well, and it is a casual contact networking opportunity. If you’re not a member of your local chamber, we strongly suggest that you join one.
Create a Newsletter: A great way to deliver persistent presence is to send out a reoccurring message about what you do. An electronic newsletter is cost effective and does just that. Go to www.constantcontact.com to learn how easy it is.
Writing articles, books: Let people understand how you think and what you’re thinking about. Writing about your passion is a clear road to both enhanced relationship and visibility success.
Embrace every opportunity to speak: You have to be seen, and you have to be heard. Every speaking opportunity supports the bottom line of all your NetBeing efforts.
Lead workshops, seminars, and conferences: What expert knowledge do you possess? Take the opportunity to develop and deliver this expertise in multiple settings demonstrating your knowledge and its application.

Hobbies and athletics: What is your hobby or exercise of choice? If you are preparing for the marathon, join a running or walking group. If you enjoy writing as a hobby or as a want-to-be author, join a writing group. There are endless groups that support hobbies and athletics, and lead to friendships and business relationships along the way.

Thinking Point for Connecting Forward - Think “outside the box.” What method not recommended here would increase your visibility and reflect your unique relationship needs?
Summary

Increasing visibility increases your ability to be seen and heard. Multiple ways to increase visibility have been presented. By focusing on meeting people who align with your interests, you accelerate the possibility for business and personal success.