Visibility: How to Be Seen in Your
Local Community and Then Online

~Visibility ~
How to Be Seen in Your Local Community and then Online 
Presented by Marian LaSalle 
Guess What Houston ~ Good News and Events

When I started my entrepreneurial journey, I knew where I was going to begin. I had just sold my half of High Standards Technology, an Information Technology (IT) consulting firm, in Houston, Texas.

I didn't need to get a job or start a new business right away but, if you know me... there is none of the "I'll rest for a while in my makeup" The one thing I took away from my time at HST was my desire to help entrepreneurs and small business owners be seen and heard.

I had connected with some wonderful people who were not only experienced in the online world but also willing to teach me what I needed to start a web design firm. All these years later I still credit them with guiding me with the actions and strategies that enabled me to move ahead faster and safer than I could have on my own. 

Early on, I realized that I needed to create content like articles, blog posts and web pages and then find more ways to be visible to others online who would be interested in what I was doing. 
 
From Local to Global: How Community Connection Fueled My Online Business Success 

When I first started my online business journey, I believed that success online was about mastering technology, building websites, and growing an email list. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that true visibility starts with genuine human connection. 

I thought visibility meant having a fancy website, writing blog posts, and figuring out social media. I believed that if I could just master the right online tools, people from all over the world would find me. But the truth is, my real visibility didn’t begin online. It began in my community in a small meeting room filled with people who gathered each week to talk about service, leadership, making a difference and offering products and services that truly help people. 

My story started knowing I simply wanted to meet with others like me who wanted to give and serve. What I found was, through service, I was also building relationships... authentic, lasting connections with people who were leaders in business and in life. When you show up consistently to help others, you naturally become visible for all the right reasons. People start to see who you are, not just what you sell. 

The Day Everything Changed 

I still remember walking into that first networking meeting. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know the rules, the routines, or even if anyone would want to meet me. But I did know this: I wanted to be around people who were doing something meaningful, people who cared about more than just their own success. 

I was nervous at first. I volunteered to assist with a small project, then another. Before long, I found myself helping organize events, speaking up at meetings, and connecting with others who shared that same spirit of service. 

That’s when I discovered something powerful, visibility doesn’t come from trying to be seen. It comes from showing up to serve. As the weeks and months went by, people started asking me about my services. When I explained that I was building a business helping entrepreneurs and small business owners be seen online using a website and articles, their curiosity grew. Some asked questions, others sought advice, and a few even became clients or collaborators. 

But here’s the key: none of that happened because I was only promoting myself. It happened because I was building trust. People saw me showing up early to set up chairs and offering help without expecting anything in return. That’s what made me visible, not my website, not my email list, but my willingness to give. 

Those first months of truly committing to show up and serve changed everything. It didn't take me long to realize I needed to start my own networking community with less rules and showing people that we were there to help them succeed. I soon began getting invited to speak at rotary clubs, Women's Organizations and other opportunities to help people shine. Over time, people began sending me referrals and that opened the door to conversations about online business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. 

It wasn’t about pitching or promoting myself. It was about being seen as someone who cared, who contributed, and who could be trusted. That visibility led to local speaking invitations, collaborations, and even my first web design clients, all because I showed up to serve. The funny thing about local visibility is that it doesn’t stay local for long. One connection will lead to another, and soon you’re being introduced to people beyond your city, your state, even your home country. I was able to grow my business and keep working with only referrals. 

Where This Leads Us Today

The heart of my work hasn’t changed. I still believe that the most powerful visibility comes from connecting with real people, people who care, who show up, who lift each other up.

That is why I now host a growing community of good, kind, giving entrepreneurs and small business owners, both here in Houston and online.

We call it Referral Business Builders, and it’s a place where you can:

~Meet people who actually care about your success
~Share what you offer without pressure or “salesy” energy
~Learn how to be seen in your local and online communities
~Build referrals naturally through real relationships
~Be supported, encouraged, and celebrated

Whether you’re in Houston or anywhere in the world, you don’t have to build your business alone.

And if you love the idea of community news, local features, spotlight stories, and supporting local businesses and events, that’s exactly what we’re doing through Guess What Houston, too.
It’s our city’s good news space and you are welcome there.

If you’re looking for:
~A fresh start.
~New connections.
~A circle of people who see you and value you.
~A place to belong while growing your business.

This is your invitation.
You belong with us.

➡️ Join our Online Community: ReferralBusinessBuilders.com
➡️ Connect with Guess What Houston: https://GuessWhatHouston.com

Come say hello. Bring your story.

We can’t wait to meet you.

Secret Little Hack

Upgrade your LinkedIn profile by optimizing your headline and summary to attract more potential clients and business opportunities.

Also, regularly engage with industry-related content by commenting and sharing to increase your visibility and credibility.

Quote Of The Day

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." - Albert Schweitzer