5 Tips on How to Stay Visible as a Founder Without Getting Trapped in the Day-to-Day

Have you ever felt like you are stuck in the daily grind of running your business, while losing sight of your bigger vision and goals? Do you struggle to delegate tasks and free up time for yourself, without compromising the quality and reputation of your brand? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. Many founders face the same dilemma: how to balance being the face of their business with delegating tasks and freeing up time for themselves.

 

As a founder, you are the driving force behind your business. You have built it from the ground up, with your passion, expertise, and hard work. You have established relationships with your customers, partners, and employees, based on trust and confidence. You have created a brand identity that reflects your values and vision. In short, you are the face of your business.

 

However, being the face of your business does not mean that you have to be involved in every aspect of it. In fact, doing so can be counterproductive and detrimental to your growth and happiness. If you are constantly bogged down by the day-to-day operations, you will have less time and energy to focus on the strategic and creative aspects of your business. You will also have less freedom and flexibility to enjoy your personal life and pursue your other interests. In other words, you will become a prisoner of your business.

 

So, how can you avoid this trap and stay visible as a founder without getting trapped in the day-to-day? The answer is simple: delegate and automate. By delegating tasks that can be done by others, and automating tasks that can be done by technology, you can free up your time and resources, while maintaining the quality and efficiency of your business. This way, you can focus on the areas where you add the most value and make the most impact, such as vision, strategy, innovation, and leadership.

 

But delegating and automating alone are not enough. You also need to establish a visible founder presence, both internally and externally. This means that you need to keep your face at the forefront of your business, without being physically present all the time. You need to maintain a personal touch and a human connection with your customers, partners, and employees, without sacrificing your privacy and autonomy. You need to reinforce your identity and authority as the founder, without micromanaging and controlling everything.

 

How can you do that? Here are five simple suggestions for establishing a visible founder presence, without being a prisoner to the day-to-day:

 

Incorporate your image in email communication

Email is one of the most common and effective forms of communication in business. Whether you are sending or receiving emails, you want to make sure that your image is included in your email profiles and signatures. This simple step helps reinforce your identity and maintains a personal touch in business interactions. It also helps you build rapport and trust with your recipients, as they can see who they are talking to and feel more connected to you. To do this, choose a professional headshot or friendly photo that reflects your brand and personality, and use it consistently across all your accounts.

Maintain an active LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is widely regarded as the most trusted professional networking platform. It is also a powerful tool for personal branding and marketing. Ensuring your profile is up-to-date with accurate information is crucial, as it serves as a valuable resource for those researching you and your company. It also showcases your expertise and credibility, and attracts potential customers, partners, and employees. To optimize your profile, use keywords that relate to your niche and industry, write a compelling headline that summarizes your value proposition, include a summary that highlights your achievements and goals, and add a call to action that invites visitors to contact you or visit your website. Additionally, regularly engage with relevant professional content and connections on the platform, such as liking, commenting, sharing, posting, and joining groups. This way, you can stay visible and relevant in your network, and demonstrate your thought leadership and influence.

Participate in company-sponsored events

Attending both internal and external events sponsored by your company is vital. Customers appreciate seeing you actively involved, reinforcing their trust and confidence in your business. Furthermore, these events provide opportunities for employees to connect with you outside of the workplace, fostering a sense of engagement and alignment. While attending every event may not be feasible, selectively choosing a few key gatherings demonstrates your commitment to the company’s core values and goals. To make the most of these events, make an effort to interact with attendees, share your insights, and express your gratitude.

Speak on behalf of your company or industry

Speaking on behalf of your company or industry is another way to enhance your brand visibility and authority. By participating in panel discussions or speaking engagements representing your company or industry, you can position yourself as a thought leader and influencer in your niche. You can also share your story, your values, and your vision, and inspire others to follow your example. For example, I participate in panel discussions and speaking engagements representing The Liberty Group, such as webinars, podcasts, interviews, or workshops. These events help me reach a wider audience, generate leads, and create partnerships. To prepare for these events, research and select events hosted by organizations you are already involved in or aspire to collaborate with, and focus on delivering value and engaging your audience.

Utilize video for company announcements

Video is a powerful tool for communication, especially in the digital age. It can effectively convey your personality, passion, and authenticity, and create a stronger emotional connection with your viewers. By utilizing video for company announcements, you can deliver messages directly from the founder, both internally and externally. Internally, video messages from the founder hold significant value, as they can communicate new initiatives, clarify plans, and align the team. Externally, video messages from the founder can be shared on the company’s website, social media platforms, and personal channels, enhancing brand awareness and loyalty. For example, leveraging video for company announcements, such as service offerings, educational advice, and sharing success stories, these videos help communicate your vision and values, and motivate customers and employees. To create a video announcement, you can record a message on your phone and coordinate with your marketing team for branding and dissemination. You can also use platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok to reach a wider audience.

 

By following these five suggestions, you can establish a visible founder presence, without being a prisoner to the day-to-day. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of increased brand awareness, customer loyalty, employee engagement, and business growth, as well as more freedom and flexibility for yourself. Remember, you are the face of your business, but you don’t have to be the prisoner of it. For more information on building a team for success in your business and in life, we recommend the book “Who Not How” by Dan Sullivan.