Whether you are climbing the ladder in a corporate role or running your own business, getting noticed matters. When leadership coach Rosemary Cooper-Clark left the corporate world, she had to learn how to raise her profile online, in print and in person. Here are her practical tips, updated for today’s digital landscape.

Start by deciding what you want your profile to say about you. What is your unique message? What impressions do you want people to form, and what conclusions do you want them to draw? This is not a one-off exercise; your personal brand evolves as your business grows.

If, like Rosemary, you find it hard to analyse yourself, ask trusted colleagues, clients or mentors for feedback.

• What do they think of when they think of you?
• What assumptions or beliefs do they hold about your expertise?
• Who do they believe would benefit most from working with you?

Once you have clarity on your message, you are ready to communicate it consistently.

How to get known

Building recognition is an ongoing marketing activity that works best when you use several channels together. It is not either online or in person — it is both. Some business owners say, ‘I don’t find clients through my website or social media.’ That may be true, but a visible, up-to-date digital presence still nurtures leads, reinforces your professionalism and helps you stay in touch with past, present and future clients.

With more than 36 million LinkedIn members in the UK and over 5.5 million small businesses competing for attention, being findable and memorable is essential. Your activities fall into three areas: online presence, thought leadership and physical presence.

Your online presence

1. You need a website. It is a basic signal of professionalism and a hub for up-to-date information about your services, case studies and contact details. Make sure it is mobile-friendly, clearly written and easy to navigate.
2. Optimise your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is still the leading B2B platform in the UK. Use a professional photo, a clear headline and a summary that reflects your message. Join relevant groups, follow industry hashtags and engage thoughtfully with posts from your target clients.
3. Engage before you broadcast. Comment on posts, answer questions and share insights that demonstrate your expertise. When you do connect, send a personalised note rather than a generic request.
4. Build your own community. If you have a clear niche, consider starting a LinkedIn newsletter or a small online community where peers can share ideas. This gives you a direct channel to your contacts and a natural way to publicise your events or offers.
5. Choose social platforms deliberately. You do not need to be everywhere. Share short, useful ‘nuggets’ on the one or two platforms where your audience is active — whether that is LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky or another network. If you are short of original content, reshare valuable posts from others and add your own brief commentary.

Thought leadership

The goal is to position yourself as someone with useful, interesting things to say — ideally as a subject matter expert in your field. Blogging is still valuable, but there are other ways to extend your reach.

1. Write for the business press. Trade magazines, industry websites and professional association publications usually publish editorial calendars and contributor guidelines. Identify a topic relevant to your field, draft a short pitch and send it to the relevant editor.
2. Publish on your own channels. If pitching feels too big a step, start by writing articles on your own blog or as LinkedIn articles, then share them with your contacts. A simple email newsletter can also keep you front of mind.
3. Guest blog strategically. Look for opportunities to contribute to websites that serve your target audience. A well-placed guest post can introduce you to a new readership and strengthen your credibility. You can find out more about guest blogging for Prowess.

Being there in person

1. Attend the right conferences and seminars. Ask yourself whether an event is somewhere you ‘ought’ to be seen. Does it put you in front of the right professionals? Sometimes the value is peer visibility rather than immediate client leads.
2. Seek speaking opportunities. Public speaking makes many people nervous, but starting small — a short presentation to a small group or a panel slot — builds confidence. Organisations such as Toastmasters, or a local speakers’ club, offer a safe place to practise.
3. Network with intention. Be selective about the events you attend. Try a few different women’s business networks to identify those that either represent your market or act as a channel to it. Quality connections usually beat a large stack of business cards.
4. Speak up when you are in the audience. Whether at an in-person seminar or an online webinar, a well-crafted question can make you memorable. Prepare your question in advance, state your name and company, and link it to a genuine insight. This positions you as a contributor, not just an attendee.

Rosemary found that setting specific goals for profile-raising activities helped her give her own brand the same attention she gave her clients. The aim is not self-promotion for its own sake. You are one of the biggest assets in your business, and the time you spend managing that asset is part of your business strategy. After all, are you not your most important client?