This blog post might ruffle a few feathers, especially if you think showing up online means looking perfect, having flawless hair, or curating every aspect of your environment for the ‘gram.
That’s not what visibility in business is about – and it’s high time we had an honest conversation about it. So, if you’re ready to drop the mask and embrace real, strategy-driven PR presence, keep reading…
THE MYTH OF “PERFECT VISIBILITY
Let me set the scene: I’m writing this with my hair up in a messy bun, no makeup, faint eyebrows and yes, even a vase of dead flowers on the sideboard behind my desk.
There’s no ring light, no filter, no “ready for my closeup” energy. Why? Because none of that is what actually moves the needle for your business.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: how you look has absolutely zero correlation to the results you deliver for your clients. Now read that again.
People don’t hire you for your groomed brows, curated office, or the fact you matched your shoes to your branding. They’re here for transformation, for the experience of working with you, for the wisdom and expertise you bring to the table.
So why do so many business owners (particularly women) shrink themselves and pull back from big opportunities because they’re worried about not looking perfect?
Why do so many of you think you can’t show up unless you’re “put together”?
It’s not about how you look. It’s about how you make your clients feel.
SHOWING UP ≠ BEING SEEN
Let’s break something else down: showing up is not just about “being seen.” Anyone can post a hundred times on Instagram and still be invisible if they’re not saying or doing anything impactful.
What does “showing up” really mean?
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It’s turning up. Yep, even when you’re tired, even when the background isn’t Insta-perfect, even if you’re in your pyjamas—because the message is more important than the visuals.
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It’s sharing your knowledge, your expertise and your point of view in places where your IDEAL clients spend their time (not just the places you personally enjoy hanging out).
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It’s joining (or creating) the right room: digital, in-person, industry-specific, where your work actually gets noticed by the people who matter to your business.
So, ask yourself: are you really showing up, or are you just performing visibility for the algorithm?
MESSY ACTION > NO ACTION
Let me tell you something: confidence isn’t something you wake up with every day. I get imposter syndrome. I get the “collie wobbles.” But I’ve learned to collect myself, dust myself off, and keep going—because the only way to learn (and grow) is by taking action.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, it’s BETTER if it’s messy. You learn so much more when it’s messy. So even though it may feel uncomfortable, you’ll go further, faster in the long run. Trust me when I say that you can’t wait for things to be perfect before you show up. You can’t wait to feel more confident before trying something new, confidence builds once you do new things.
To prove the point: when is the last time a potential client said, “I hired you because your eyeliner was perfect”? Never. But I’ll bet you’ve heard, “I chose you because I felt like you understood me,” or “You just GET what I’m going through.” That comes from showing up as you, not as a polished version of you.
VISIBILITY WITH INTENTION
Here’s where most people get visibility wrong: It’s NOT about being seen by more people. It’s about being seen by the RIGHT people in the RIGHT places at the RIGHT time and with the RIGHT message.
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Are you showing up where your ideal clients already are? Or are you wasting energy in Facebook groups/press outlets that are irrelevant for your target audience?
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Are you leveraging opportunities to share your expertise in the press, on podcasts, in industry masterminds or at curated events?
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Are you following up with a strategy, or just “spraying and praying” and hoping that enquiries will magically land in your inbox?
PR is not just another word for visibility. When someone tells you to “be more visible” without a strategic plan behind it, you’re buying into hype, not growth.
THE ROOMS THAT MATTER
In June I ran a high-end private dining event for entrepreneurs hungry for the next level, giving them the opportunity to meet journalists, hear tier insider insights and learn how to pitch to them, because THAT’s a room where business transformation happens.
Spotlight Soiree isn’t accessible to everyone, so on Tuesday 16th September I’m hosting The Visibility & Velocity online summit, to show you how to turn PR into Profit, without you needing to leave the house, put on a face of makeup, or splurging on an expensive ticket.
Visibility has never been about being seen everywhere; it’s about being in the places that move you closer to your goals and open new doors for you. That could mean being featured in the Daily Mail, even if you personally can’t stand it. If that’s where your clients are showing up then that’s where you need to be seen. It could mean saying yes to a podcast with the exact audience you want. It’s about STRATEGY, not omnipresence.
WHAT REALLY GETS YOU PAID
Let’s stop confusing busywork with impact. More social posts do not equal more revenue. Being perceived as the Go-To Expert in your industry and genuinely connecting with your ideal clients, does.
Your only job is to keep showing up, with intention, where it counts. The world doesn’t need another perfectly polished business owner pretending you’ve got your shit together. Premium buyers want to see YOU. The real you. Not a version who doesn’t show up when they start working with you.
If you want to be best-known, you have to start now: embrace imperfect action and make it strategic.
Ask yourself:
🔥 Where can you lean in and claim your space?
🔥 What rooms can you step into, even if it feels uncomfortable?
🔥 Are you ready to drop the “performance” and start making a real impact?
To sign premium paying clients you don’t have to be the best, but you do need to be the best known, in the circles that matter for YOUR business.
If you’re ready to shift from hiding to owning your space, authentically and strategically, then the Visibility and Velocity Summit on September 16th is for you.
Grab your free ticket at www.prwithperkes.com/summit, or DM me on Instagram @PRwithPerkes and let’s make you unmissable.
Show up. Even if it’s messy. Because the results will speak for themselves.
Laura Perkes
PR Strategist | Visibility & Velocity Architect
@PRwithPerkes
About Laura Perkes:
Laura Perkes is a PR Specialist, Communications Consultant and the Founder of PR with Perkes. She helps creative, diverse and innovative founders, entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs who are wanting to raise their profile and build authority through effective PR.
Creating an an earned attention eco-system which contributes to the year on year growth of their business.
