Be Seen: Why Visibility is Your Secret Weapon for Success
Visibility isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for growth. Learn how showing up, sharing your work, and building connections can transform your career.
This article was originally published in 2014, and has been updated in 2025.
Wow. What an incredible day. I finally forced myself to get up and head over to the Philadelphia Tech Breakfast. The traffic gods must have been smiling because not only did I make it downtown, but I arrived early (a rare feat in itself)!
SEPTA, if you’re reading this, I’m still waiting for those credit card ticket machines on the regional rail line…
2025 me here - they finally installed credit card ticket machines after multiple fumbles and a ridiculous effort to only accept SEPTA cards.
The event was a mix of energy and inspiration. Two companies demoed their products—SocialRadar (still waiting on that Android app!) and RedBerrRy—presenting in front of a panel of three sharp Philly-based VCs: David Horowitz from Genacast Ventures, Brett Topche from Mentortech Ventures, and Sean Dowling of Osage Partners. At the end of the demos, there was an opportunity for a lightning pitch. Now, I’ll admit, public speaking isn’t always my favorite thing, but I knew this was one of those moments where you just have to jump in.
Fueled by caffeine and adrenaline, I got up and pitched ReplyWire. And guess what? No one told me to quit my life and become a hobo! (Why do we even let those kinds of fears live rent-free in our heads?) Instead, I got some solid questions, insightful feedback, and plenty to think about moving forward. Brett made a particularly memorable point about market traction: “You don’t want to be a player in the market; you want to be THE player in the market.” That’s advice worth writing down.
But beyond the pitch itself, the day reminded me of something much bigger: the importance of being visible.
Why Being Visible Matters
Here’s the thing—building something amazing doesn’t matter if no one knows about it. You could create the most innovative product or execute a flawless strategy at work, but if it’s hidden away in a corner or locked behind closed doors, how will people know what you’re capable of? Visibility is about more than just showing up—it’s about putting yourself and your work out there so others can see it.
Take my time at Claims Compensation Bureau as an example. I built some seriously cool stuff there—an entire system that allowed claims analysts to write their own custom code for recovery calculations (think of it like jQuery for JavaScript). But here’s the catch: no one outside of that small company ever saw it. It wasn’t something I could show off or take with me when I left. It was great work that essentially disappeared into the ether.
Patrick McKenzie from Kalzumeus Software breaks this down beautifully with three key principles:
Prefer working on things you can show.
Prefer to work where people can see you.
Prefer to work on things you can keep.
These ideas hit home for me because they’re all about making sure your efforts leave a mark—on your industry, your network, or even just your own portfolio.
Lessons from Putting Yourself Out There
Let’s talk about why visibility matters—and how you can make it happen.
1. Show Up Where It Counts
You can’t build connections or gain recognition sitting on the sidelines. Whether it’s industry events like meetups or conferences—or even just casual gatherings—being present is half the battle.Real Example: At Tech Breakfast, I reconnected with some fantastic folks: Alex from Zivtech, Everett Reis from Down2theHire, David Whitaker (one of my original co-founders at BraveGenius), fellow 40 Under 40 winner Cliff Canan from Nooch, and Ryan Draving from Referable. These aren’t just names—they’re people who’ve shaped my journey and could play a role in future opportunities.
Takeaway: Your customers, collaborators, or investors aren’t going to come knocking on your door uninvited. Go where they are.
2. Share Your Work
If no one sees what you’re working on, does it even exist? Sharing your progress—whether it’s through social media updates, blog posts, or quick pitches like mine at Tech Breakfast—creates opportunities for feedback and recognition.
Tip: Don’t wait until something is “perfect” to share it. People connect with progress as much as they do with polished results.
3. Build Something You Can Keep
One of the biggest regrets from my time at Claims Compensation Bureau was not being able to take my work with me when I left. If you’re pouring your heart into something, make sure it has lasting value—for your career or your personal portfolio.
Example: Open-source projects or public-facing initiatives are great ways to ensure your efforts have staying power beyond any single job or role.
4. Aim High
Brett Topche’s advice stuck with me:
“You don’t want to be a player in the market; you want to be THE player.”
This isn’t just about ambition—it’s about focus. If you’re going to put yourself out there, do it with purpose and aim for impact.
Takeaway: Visibility isn’t just about being seen; it’s about being remembered.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, visibility is about more than self-promotion—it’s about connecting with others and creating opportunities for growth. Whether you’re pitching at an event or sharing updates on LinkedIn, remember this: people need to see what you’re capable of before they can believe in what you’re building.
So here’s my challenge to you (and myself): Get out there. Be visible. Share your work—even when it feels scary or imperfect—and watch what happens when people start paying attention.The moral of the story? The things we work on are badges of successful execution—but only if people know we’ve earned them!
