This has become a bit of a mantra for me as I’ve built and developed my business, and has certainly spurred me on to keep putting myself and my brand “out there”, even when “out there” has meant out of my comfort zone! From my first webinar and now my recent live streams via Periscope, not to mention all the Youtube videos and Google Hangouts in between, getting in front of the camera has been challenging for me.
Like me, most small business owners I have felt anything from slightly uneasy to panic-stricken at the prospect of stepping up and out into the limelight online. And that’s fine, because it’s normal. The web can feel like a big dark, unknown and scary place, and business owners can feel vulnerable and exposed as they open themselves up online, especially if it means actually showing their face!
You might try to convince yourself that you’re doing enough already to take care of your online presence: maybe you add fresh content to your website every month, share a blog every few weeks, update your Facebook page and tweet regularly. Whilst this is all helpful, if you really want to reach out, get seen and start making things happen for you and your brand online, it’s time to get in front of the camera!
So, let’s consider why it’s time to feel the fear and do it anyway when it comes to getting seen online.
The web gives small businesses every opportunity to punch above their weight and make an impact. This has never been truer than with Periscope, Twitter’s new live-streaming video app. I blogged recently about how this can work for small businesses, and here I want to share with you my personal experience of it, as this week I reached out took the Periscope bull by the horns.
Yes, I was nervous: despite being accustomed to making videos and holding webinars, I definitely experienced some apprehension before taking the plunge with Periscope, not least because it is live, unrehearsed and has a potential audience of millions of people, globally. What could possibly go wrong?
As it happens, with Periscope, it’s all about what can go RIGHT! I was thrilled with the connection and engagement that my live-stream brought: as a result of my first live stream, I’m connected to – and being supported by – individuals and organisations from across the globe literally! It is, quite simply, amazing, and there is no doubt that it offers incredible opportunities for any business willing to give it a try.
So, are YOU still hiding? Or are you ready to come out and be seen? As you push yourself and your brand further out onto the web, as you experiment with new ways to get seen and put yourself in front of the camera, you can expect to feel vulnerable. You may feel scared and you may feel uncomfortable. But the only way to feel better about it…is to do it anyway! You’ll soon discover that the benefits of getting visible online are more than worth the initial uneasiness of stepping outside of your comfort zone. And, as you stretch yourself and increase your visibility, you’ll meet great people, build fantastic connections, and continue to develop and grow your business. So, without further delay, let’s feel the fear and do it anyway!
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