From Fear of Visibility to Discoverability: A Sustainable Approach to Growing Your Business
In today’s blog, I want to talk about a topic that arises often in my conversations with other practitioners, particularly heart-centred female business owners. It’s something that has the power to quietly hold us back, even when we’re striving to move forward: the fear of visibility.
You can listen to the full podcast episode called: Let Go of Fear of Being Seen in Your Business - From Visibility to Discoverability - HERE
For many entrepreneurs and practitioners, there’s a persistent challenge that feels both personal and professional: the fear of visibility. If you’re running a business - whether part-time or full-time - you likely know this struggle all too well. You have the desire to grow, to connect with clients, and to share your work with the world. But at the same time, the thought of putting yourself out there can trigger a cascade of fears and doubts.
The fear of visibility is a topic that comes up again and again in my conversations with other practitioners, especially heart-centred female practitioners. It’s a deeply ingrained fear of being seen, and judged as not good enough, and it can manifest in many ways including as procrastination and perfectionism. You might find yourself endlessly tweaking your website, creating a video or podcast that you never release, or obsessing over a single social media post, unsure if it’s “good enough.”
Today, I want to explore this fear and offer you a different perspective - one that shifts the focus from having to be more visible to being more easily discoverable.
Why Visibility Feels So Hard
The pressure to be visible in today’s business world can feel overwhelming. Everywhere you turn, there’s advice to “show up” more. Attend every networking event, post daily on social media, create videos, start a podcast, go ‘live’ - all while trying to stand out in a sea of online noise.
But what happens when visibility triggers fears of judgment or criticism?
For many of us, the fear of being judged, criticised, or publicly called out is all too real. We worry about making mistakes in public, being told we’re not credible, or being ridiculed or simply ignored. Social media, while an incredible tool for connection, can often amplify these fears. We’ve all seen or heard stories of practitioners being attacked or belittled online, or even ‘cancelled’.. The thought of becoming a target - or even just “getting it wrong” - can make us want to run away or freeze.
So, we procrastinate. Instead of putting ourselves out there, we stay busy with low-risk tasks that do not generate the outcomes we seek: refining our website, drafting content we’ll never publish, or recording the same podcast episode fifteen times and then deciding it is not up to scratch.
Sound familiar? If so, let me assure you: you are not alone. Fear of visibility is a shared experience among entrepreneurs and all creatives, and it’s one of the most significant barriers to business growth.
The Trap of Loud, Exhausting Visibility
The business world often equates success with being highly visible. The advice goes something like this: the more you’re “out there,” the more clients you’ll attract. Be bigger. Be louder. Be visible everywhere.
But this relentless push for visibility can leave us feeling depleted and disconnected. The image that comes to mind for me is of a crowded, noisy room where people are standing on chairs, waving their arms frantically to get attention. It’s exhausting just thinking about it!
Many of us, especially those who are more introverted or sensitive, don’t want to build our businesses this way. And the good news is - we don’t have to.
It’s taken me years to fully understand that I could build my business in a way that is aligned with my values and my own definition of success, and structured in a sustainable and nervous system frinedly way. Now I know it is achievable - but it is clear to me that it is still ‘a road less travelled’.
A Different Path: Sustainability and Discoverability
Instead of chasing visibility, I propose shifting your focus to sustainability and discoverability.
Discoverability is about creating systems and content that allow your ideal clients to find you easily. It’s not about shouting louder; it’s about ensuring that when someone searches for the solution you provide, they land on your doorstep.
This approach feels quieter, more intentional, and - perhaps most importantly - sustainable. It allows your content and message to work for you, even when you’re not actively promoting yourself. Here’s how you can start shifting toward discoverability:
Create Evergreen Content
Evergreen content, such as blog posts, podcast episodes, or videos, remains relevant over time. By optimizing your content for search engines (SEO), you make it easy for potential clients to find you whenever they need what you offer.Leverage Your Unique Voice
Sharing your expertise doesn’t have to mean shouting about how great you are. Instead, focus on communicating the transformation your work provides. Tell stories, share insights, and let your personality shine through in a way that feels aligned with who you are.Diversify Your Content
Beyond social media, think about other ways to share your message. Participate in podcast interviews, collaborate with other practitioners, or contribute to online summits. These formats expand your reach without requiring constant self-promotion.Prioritize Consistency Over Perfection
Seth Godin’s wise words capture this beautifully: “Authenticity is for friends. Consistency is for professionals.” While we often hear that being authentic is key to success, what really matters in business is consistency. You don’t have to show up perfectly every time - you just have to keep showing up and share your message.
Building a Nervous-System-Friendly Business
One of the reasons discoverability resonates so deeply with me is that it aligns with a nervous-system-friendly approach. Visibility, especially in high-pressure, high-volume environments, can be taxing. Discoverability, on the other hand, allows you to grow your business in a way that feels sustainable and aligned with your energy and rhythm.
This means creating content in ways that work for you. For example, I’ve learned that audio formats - like my podcast - are often more accessible for me than video. Recording a podcast doesn’t require me to be camera-ready, which lowers the mental barriers to showing up consistently.
Yes, I do a lot of video content too and love it, but there are days or weeks when I’ve been busy delivering a lot of online training and I feel a lot of resistance to being on video, and having an option of doing just audio recording feels more accessible.
Discoverability also means designing your marketing strategy around what feels joyful and sustainable. If dancing on social media feels fun and aligned with your brand, go for it! If, like me, dancing is a private joy, then find other ways to engage that resonate with your core values. It is your business and you can build a successful and profitable business your way.
The Importance of Support
Another key component of overcoming the fear of visibility is having a supportive network. Running a business can feel very lonely, and when you’re alone with your fears and doubts, they can feel impossible to overcome.
That’s why support and community matter. Having people who understand your challenges, celebrate your wins, and offer constructive feedback can make all the difference. It’s not about copying someone else’s strategy - it’s about drawing inspiration and support to help you find your unique path.
Moving Forward: Your Next Steps
As the year draws to a close, take some time to reflect. Are you holding yourself back out of fear? What would it look like to shift from visibility to discoverability in your business?
Consider creating a sustainable strategy that plays to your strengths and is based on your values and definition of success. Focus on evergreen content, explore different ways to share your message, and remember: consistency beats perfection every time.
If this approach resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to join our Embodied Business Mandala Mentorship and Mastermind Circle. It’s a supportive community of like-minded women, all committed to growing their businesses in ways that are sustainable, aligned, and joyful. Together, we’ll create strategies that help you step into your power while honoring your energy and values.
Let’s make 2025 the year you embrace discoverability, expand your reach, and share your transformational work with the world.
If you’re ready to grow your business in a way that feels right for you, reach out to learn more about the Embodied Business Mandala Mentorship + Mastermind Circle. Let’s make your next chapter the most sustainable and impactful one yet.