Latest / Crafted Connections / EP 17: SOLO - Visibility Is a Muscle

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EP 17: SOLO - Visibility Is a Muscle · Crafted Connections

• 0:04
  Katelyn: Hello, welcome to Crafted Connections.
• 0:07
  Katelyn: I'm Katelyn Calhoun, and this is a podcast all about storytelling and building genuine community.
• 0:12
  Katelyn: Here we'll dive into the art of storytelling, unpack strategies for making meaningful connections, and hear from incredible humans who are using their story to create impact.
• 0:22
  Katelyn: So grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let's craft some connections.
• 0:27
  Katelyn: Good morning, good evening, good day, whatever time it is, whenever you're listening to this.
• 0:34
  Katelyn: It is so great to have you listening to Crafted Connections.
• 0:37
  Katelyn: I am honored that you even hit the play button.
• 0:40
  Katelyn: So thanks for being here.
• 0:41
  Katelyn: I'm Katelyn Calhoun, and this has been a beautiful journey, a beautiful podcast endeavor.
• 0:48
  Katelyn: I've been doing for over three months now.
• 0:51
  Katelyn: So thanks for listening.
• 0:52
  Katelyn: If it's the first time, if it's, you know, your I believe this is episode 17, so if it's your 17th time, or or maybe you're jumping back to episode 17, and we're already on 172.
• 1:03
  Katelyn: Who knows?
• 1:04
  Katelyn: It's so good to have you here, and I'm really, really grateful.
• 1:07
  Katelyn: So let's dive in, shall we?
• 1:10
  Katelyn: I've been thinking.
• 1:11
  Katelyn: I'm leaning into doing solo episodes every other week because I really want to give some insights on how to approach telling your story and how to really build out the brand and the life that you want for yourself.
• 1:23
  Katelyn: And I think a big key to all of it, as I've spoken to clients, as I've been teaching some workshops, a big thing is visibility.
• 1:34
  Katelyn: In order to actually have impact with your story, people need to see it, right?
• 1:40
  Katelyn: You need to actually put yourself out there.
• 1:42
  Katelyn: Not so easily done.
• 1:44
  Katelyn: So much easier to say, I'm gonna put myself out there, or to say, hey, put yourself out there, right?
• 1:50
  Katelyn: I think about this a lot when people use the word brave or graceful or anything that is a word that describes a really respectable quality, you know, brave, grace, uh adventurous, you know, all those words are like so easily thrown around.
• 2:09
  Katelyn: But actually being in grace, actually being actually being a brave person, actually being visible, all of those things are so much harder when you're actually embodying them, when you're actually doing them, when you're being challenged and you have to actually step up.
• 2:24
  Katelyn: So something I want to say before I even dive into the why or the impact of visibility is let's say you have your story all together, let's say it's cute, it's ready to go.
• 2:34
  Katelyn: When you put yourself out there, when you are seen, when you are visible, that's when the impact happens.
• 2:39
  Katelyn: But it's also where folks get the most caught up.
• 2:41
  Katelyn: So you are not alone in this.
• 2:42
  Katelyn: I promise you, you are not alone.
• 2:44
  Katelyn: And I'm thinking about this because most calls that I have with people, whether it be story strategy sessions or, you know, a discovery call or just talking to someone in a workshop that I'm teaching, even talking to the people who hire me for the workshop, they're like, we want our people to feel confident.
• 3:02
  Katelyn: We want them to feel like they can put themselves out there.
• 3:04
  Katelyn: And it's totally a muscle, right?
• 3:06
  Katelyn: It's totally a muscle.
• 3:07
  Katelyn: It's like start small and then grow that muscle kind of thing.
• 3:11
  Katelyn: But again, easier said than done.
• 3:13
  Katelyn: So, all to say, when I work with business owners or employees working on their brand, it's totally a mindset piece.
• 3:20
  Katelyn: And it is there more often than not.
• 3:22
  Katelyn: So I think first things first, when you're thinking about visibility, if you're ready to start putting yourself out there, and maybe you haven't as much as you want to, know that you are not alone in this.
• 3:29
  Katelyn: It is absolutely a thing that we all go through.
• 3:31
  Katelyn: I even want to speak to my own experiences with this.
• 3:34
  Katelyn: I have gotten better and better at it.
• 3:35
  Katelyn: I'm posting a podcast weekly.
• 3:37
  Katelyn: I'll post my face is kind of all over all over my socials, and it it's because the people that are in my community connect with me.
• 3:44
  Katelyn: So I put it out there, and behind that face is a lot of stories.
• 3:48
  Katelyn: So it's important to share those things.
• 3:51
  Katelyn: But honestly, I feel like three years ago, four years ago, definitely five years ago, I wasn't gonna be ready for that.
• 3:57
  Katelyn: I wasn't ready to put myself out there in such a way.
• 4:00
  Katelyn: So in 2021, I was gearing up for a fundraiser for my most recent film, Hellbender in the Blue, which I've spoken about before on this podcast.
• 4:09
  Katelyn: But I was fundraising.
• 4:10
  Katelyn: So I had a crowdfunding campaign and I was out here asking people for cash dollars, right?
• 4:16
  Katelyn: And as a part of that, around the same time, I was reading the book Badass Habits, which is a kind of shoot off from the series You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero.
• 4:26
  Katelyn: And the Badass Habits book was essentially it takes 21 days to establish a habit, right?
• 4:30
  Katelyn: And so she took that and she basically built out a book that has 21 ways to build a habit for yourself.
• 4:38
  Katelyn: And at the beginning of the book, she says, decide the habit that you want to build.
• 4:42
  Katelyn: It just so happened around that time I decided that I wanted to work on being seen, up my visibility, right?
• 4:48
  Katelyn: And so one of the earlier days in this 21 habits book was literally print out a calendar and write down a thing a day that you do.
• 4:57
  Katelyn: So day one, I decided I'm working on being seen, I'm working on my visibility.
• 5:01
  Katelyn: Day two, I printed off a calendar and I was like, cool, every day I'm gonna write down something that is me being seen, something where I put myself out there.
• 5:08
  Katelyn: Maybe I message someone who's willing to make a larger donation to the film directly.
• 5:13
  Katelyn: Maybe I post a video of myself talking about my fundraiser.
• 5:16
  Katelyn: Maybe I ask a film collaborator that I'm maybe a little bit intimidated by, but I'm like, ooh, their work in collaboration with what I see for the vision of this film.
• 5:24
  Katelyn: That would be really cool.
• 5:26
  Katelyn: So it really ran the gamut, but it still was always like these little reps of visibility that I was doing and working on.
• 5:33
  Katelyn: And the cool thing about it is that really established this beautiful foundation for me in putting myself out there, in the muscle or like the muscular structure.
• 5:45
  Katelyn: I have no idea how the body actually works.
• 5:48
  Katelyn: I'm just out here, right?
• 5:49
  Katelyn: Um, but the uh the foundation of what is now me putting myself out there on a regular basis.
• 5:56
  Katelyn: Because even when you build the muscle, there will be days where you just don't have it in you.
• 6:01
  Katelyn: You'll suffer loss, you'll just be tired because you'll be working in your business instead of on your business, or you've got family members and things going on with them.
• 6:09
  Katelyn: And like sometimes you just don't have it in you.
• 6:11
  Katelyn: But it's wonderful to have that structure and that it's totally a muscle, it's totally a thing that you can put into practice, but it's about putting it into practice.
• 6:19
  Katelyn: Hey y'all.
• 6:21
  Katelyn: You know I love telling stories, gathering stories, and finding a way to help people connect their story with the people that will get it.
• 6:30
  Katelyn: And that's what my story strategy sessions are all about.
• 6:32
  Katelyn: So over at Calhoun Creative Consulting, my strategic storytelling firm, we do one-on-one and or facilitated workshops in relation to really honing in the strategy around your story.
• 6:45
  Katelyn: It's a bit of messaging meets content creation, meets storytelling, and then how do we put that out in the world?
• 6:51
  Katelyn: How do we show up regularly?
• 6:52
  Katelyn: There's a bit of mindset work around it, right?
• 6:54
  Katelyn: To actually tell your story.
• 6:55
  Katelyn: Whether you're launching something new or trying to rework your brand or just feeling a little foggy on how to communicate with your people, this is how to get clear.
• 7:02
  Katelyn: We'll dig into things like your narrative, how to uncover what matters most, maybe map out a few content pillars while we're at it.
• 7:08
  Katelyn: You'll also get a recording of our session so you can revisit the conversation anytime you like.
• 7:12
  Katelyn: Let's shape a story that actually feels like you.
• 7:15
  Katelyn: So book yours today.
• 7:16
  Katelyn: There is a link in the show notes.
• 7:17
  Katelyn: And hey, while you're at it, use the code podcast, all caps, P-O-D-C-A-S-T for 25% off your session.
• 7:25
  Katelyn: I would be honored to spend time with you and suss out your story.
• 7:29
  Katelyn: Let's dive back into the episode, shall we?
• 7:32
  Katelyn: I'd even give a few more examples of this.
• 7:36
  Katelyn: I know that when it comes to being in the workplace, being visible and sharing with people what you've actually done is such a key to whatever goals you have in moving up in your organization or potentially upping your compensation.
• 7:49
  Katelyn: Like this stuff matters.
• 7:50
  Katelyn: I'd say even in your home.
• 7:52
  Katelyn: Even in your home, there's such a thing as invisible labor.
• 7:55
  Katelyn: And I would say this for both partners.
• 7:57
  Katelyn: I know with Phil and I often one of us can get caught up in, you know, what we're doing and what we have going on.
• 8:04
  Katelyn: And the other one doesn't even know what's going on, right?
• 8:07
  Katelyn: There have been many times on both sides of our conversations where one of us says, Well, I've been doing this and I'm exhausted from it.
• 8:14
  Katelyn: And the other one didn't even know that that one was doing that thing, right?
• 8:18
  Katelyn: Or the other one didn't know that maybe they were worried about that expense coming up.
• 8:22
  Katelyn: Sharing and communicating those things, bringing those things to light brings together a little bit more understanding, maybe a little bit more respect and empathy around it so that you can actually move forward together, whether that be again in the workplace, in your home, all sorts of places.
• 8:38
  Katelyn: Another small example that I think is really fun is I'm working at a coffee shop this summer in the town where we dock our boat.
• 8:45
  Katelyn: This is our second summer in this town.
• 8:47
  Katelyn: And last summer I went to the coffee shop a lot because I love being a regular at a coffee shop.
• 8:52
  Katelyn: I wasn't so first name basis with the folks that work there, but I'm an early riser, so as soon as they would open, I would go and I would maybe sit for an hour.
• 9:00
  Katelyn: And not that it's a slow coffee shop, but 7 a.m.
• 9:02
  Katelyn: is a slower time.
• 9:03
  Katelyn: So I'm there maybe once a week, at least every other week, for an hour in the morning drinking my coffee.
• 9:08
  Katelyn: My intention last summer was not, I'm gonna do this every single week and then I'm gonna get a job next summer, right?
• 9:13
  Katelyn: But it didn't hurt when the time came this summer.
• 9:16
  Katelyn: Showed up at 7 a.m.
• 9:18
  Katelyn: one morning, saw that they had help wanted sign, was like, you know what?
• 9:21
  Katelyn: That would be really fun for me.
• 9:23
  Katelyn: That would be fun for me, making a few connections and friends here, and just kind of supplementing the video and the storytelling work that I do.
• 9:30
  Katelyn: And just having, oh my gosh, just the regularity and the like expected.
• 9:35
  Katelyn: I get to do this same time every week, and I get to be compensated same time every other week.
• 9:42
  Katelyn: It just feels really nice as someone who's been working for herself for almost nine years now.
• 9:47
  Katelyn: So this summer saw this help wanted sign and then was like, cool beans, we're gonna take a look at this.
• 9:52
  Katelyn: Did some peaking online, turned in the digital application.
• 9:56
  Katelyn: There's a world where your girl could have been like, cool, she's done.
• 10:00
  Katelyn: She turned it in.
• 10:01
  Katelyn: They'll call her if they want to.
• 10:02
  Katelyn: That's not what we're talking about here today.
• 10:04
  Katelyn: We're talking about visibility.
• 10:05
  Katelyn: And so when I went up to get a coffee refill, I was like, hey, just so you know, I applied online to this job that you have listed right here.
• 10:12
  Katelyn: And then that brought out the owner who was like, here's a paper application.
• 10:17
  Katelyn: And then whim bam boom, obviously you know the end of the story.
• 10:20
  Katelyn: I got a job there.
• 10:21
  Katelyn: So it speaks to everything, right?
• 10:23
  Katelyn: And this is honestly too how I've gotten a lot of clients.
• 10:25
  Katelyn: Putting myself out there has brought in direct inquiries.
• 10:28
  Katelyn: So not only is it I had an actual campaign going on, built a really strong foundation of those like 21 days of what am I gonna do today that is me being seen this summer, have this wonderful, honestly soul nourishing job where I get to like talk to locals, give them their cup of joy every morning.
• 10:46
  Katelyn: And then third, I've built my business around it as well.
• 10:49
  Katelyn: It does take work, it does take reps.
• 10:52
  Katelyn: But I think something we cannot forget is it does compound.
• 10:56
  Katelyn: To go back to my example of spring of 2021 when I leaned into 21 days of commitment, that has only grown since.
• 11:05
  Katelyn: Some of the connections I made in that month are recurring now because I've built trust with certain people because I put myself out there, they aged out, and I followed up kind of thing.
• 11:14
  Katelyn: So, all to say, if you are thinking about yourself and your story, I recommend making a small commitment to your visibility.
• 11:22
  Katelyn: What does that look like?
• 11:24
  Katelyn: What do you want it to be?
• 11:25
  Katelyn: Do you want to once a week share something about yourself?
• 11:29
  Katelyn: Whether that be a one-on-one thing, whether that be on your public accounts, whatever you decide will compound and grow.
• 11:37
  Katelyn: I recommend doing something that feels good for your nervous system.
• 11:39
  Katelyn: Deciding that you're gonna cold email someone that you highly regard, that you've never met, that you really put on a pedestal might be a little bit soul crushing.
• 11:48
  Katelyn: So, like what feels good and feels like a nice baby step into visibility?
• 11:52
  Katelyn: Really think about it that way and know that it will grow so much faster than you think, especially if you do it in a way that feels very manageable.
• 11:59
  Katelyn: So, yeah, that is that with my take on visibility today, me sharing a few anecdotes of my own.
• 12:04
  Katelyn: I think you'll be surprised.
• 12:06
  Katelyn: Putting a little bit of effort in goes a long way for this.
• 12:09
  Katelyn: And please hit me up with your success stories or maybe your struggles around it.
• 12:14
  Katelyn: I would love to hear.
• 12:15
  Katelyn: I know that it is such a key piece.
• 12:17
  Katelyn: I can teach people about story all day long, but if they are not ready to put themselves out there, then your story's just in a closet and not being shared.
• 12:24
  Katelyn: Let's get you out there.
• 12:25
  Katelyn: Let's show people who you are.
• 12:26
  Katelyn: I think it's a beautiful thing.
• 12:28
  Katelyn: The more you share about yourself, I think it just will make the world a better place because it's just so colorful and beautiful.
• 12:34
  Katelyn: Thank you so much for listening.
• 12:36
  Katelyn: I'm excited to hear about your visibility success stories.
• 12:40
  Katelyn: Y'all are the best.
• 12:42
  Katelyn: Have a great, great day.
• 12:44
  Katelyn: Crafted Connections is lovingly produced by Calhoun Creative Consulting, a strategic storytelling firm dedicated to helping people and brands tell their stories in a way that resonates.
• 12:58
  Katelyn: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and connect with us on Instagram at Crafted Connections Pod.
• 13:04
  Katelyn: Keep creating, keep connecting, until we meet again.