Show Your Face!

Now you see me, now you don't?

Dear Friend,

Remember "Hide and Go Seek"? I always found it to be quite the stressful game. Whenever I was the one hiding, I felt powerless and at the mercy of the seeker. All I could do was sit there, hold my breath and try not to think about the fact that I had to go to the bathroom. The seeker, on the other hand, was running around, taunting loudly and having full access to the nearest toilet.

Looking at this picture reminded me of when I would hide (often not in the most brilliant of places) and feel powerless. Then I started thinking about companies who all too often do not take advantage of opportunities where they can show their face. It's almost as if they are hiding, passively waiting for clients or customers to seek them out. You should instead strive to be the one running around, speaking loudly and having full access to the nearest toilet.

The following are three ways to come out from your hiding spot and proudly represent your company.

Make a Speech
Speaking engagements are multifold in terms of the benefits you receive. First, when you are a speaker at an event or conference, you are revered as the expert. People will look to you as the most knowledgeable on whatever it is you're talking about. You will also have the opportunity to directly interact with potential clients. Being friendly and responsive to questions and comments will demonstrate that you care and have a pleasant personality which never fails to resonate with people.

Participate in the Community
Think all the benefits that come with speaking engagements, plus the fact that you are truly connecting with members of the community and giving your company a great reputation. Nowadays, the world wants to know how you are doing good for the environment or helping those in need. Many companies create a team for breast cancer walks which is great exposure for the company name. It also is a good way to improve internal public relations, and we've learned in past tips that good internal public relations makes good external public relations.

Put Your Face (and Voice) on the Web
I've said it once, I'll say it again and I'll probably still say it again after that, the Internet is an incredible tool. Creating a video to embed on your company web site or blog will allow visitors to directly hear your company's message. Sometimes people are more responsive to audio and video than reading text. This is an opportunity to show your creativity or simply make a quick personal welcome and introduction. I recommend if you decide to include a video on your web site, do not have the video play as soon the page is opened. Rather, give viewers the option of clicking on it to hear your message.


When you think about who your business is and what your business does, you need to think about what you know, offer, understand, supply or do better than anyone else. Whatever that is, there are folks out there that are interested in what you have to say and would like to see more of you. Now is not the time to hide. Actively seek out those clients and opportunities, and be thankful you can use the bathroom whenever you want.