Key points
- Visibility is increasingly part of how businesses build trust.
- Most people feel uncomfortable putting themselves in front of the camera at first.
- Momentum usually follows action, not the other way around.
- Perfection is often a disguised form of procrastination.
- Small, consistent steps tend to create bigger results than waiting for the perfect moment.
The pink selfie stick
A few days ago, I found myself asking my wife a question I never thought I’d ask:
“Do you know where the pink selfie stick is?”
Not just any selfie stick.
A bright pink one that had been handed out to guests at a family wedding a few years ago.
For a moment, I stopped and listened to myself.
Twenty years of building websites. Nearly thirty years working in digital. And here I was busy searching through drawers for an old pink selfie stick.
Life takes some unexpected turns.
The truth is, I never imagined I’d have much use for one, and I don’t think anyone in our house has ever used one.
I’ve never been particularly interested in taking photos of myself, except when out walking and not looking my most glam. I don’t naturally reach for a camera and document every moment. Social media has always been something I’ve used more as an observer than a participant.
But, I have always recommended it to clients! And then used the phrase “You teach best what you most need to learn!” to excuse my own lack of Social activity.
I’ve spent years helping clients improve their visibility online while remaining largely invisible myself.
That worked reasonably well for a long time.
Most of my work came through referrals, recommendations, existing relationships, and people who already knew what I did.
But the digital world has changed.
People increasingly want to know who they’re dealing with before they get in touch. They look at LinkedIn profiles. They browse Instagram. They watch YouTube videos. They read articles. They form opinions long before a conversation ever takes place.
Visibility has become part of trust.
And that’s something I’ve been reflecting on a lot recently.
Re-building and Re-positioning my Small Business
As I’ve started rebuilding and repositioning TPG, I’ve realised that websites, content, social media, AI visibility, and digital strategy all connect together. In this world of AI where we are all trying to work things out, one thing I do know is that having truly joined-up digital communication is an important factor in whether your content is seen.
I talk about digital foundations often.
Perhaps it’s time to build a few more of my own. (You teach best what you most need to earn!!)
Which brings us back to the pink selfie stick.
Because over the next few months, and of course then consistently moving in future, I intend to create more content.
Not because I suddenly want to become an influencer.
Not because I think every thought needs documenting.
And certainly not because I enjoy watching videos of myself.
The goal is much simpler than that.
I want to work out loud. To share some of what nearly thirty years in digital has taught me.
To explore how websites are changing:
- How AI is changing visibility.
- Why so many businesses feel overwhelmed by digital marketing.
- Why clarity matters more than ever.
- And why sustainable momentum usually beats bursts of enthusiasm.
There is something slightly uncomfortable about stepping into the frame after spending so many years behind it.
I suspect many business owners feel exactly the same.
You know you should be more visible.
You know people buy from people.
You know your experience could help others.
Yet somehow there is always a reason to wait.
The website isn’t quite ready.
The camera isn’t good enough.
The office needs tidying.
The lighting isn’t perfect.
The idea needs refining.
I’ve used most of those myself.
At some point, though, perfection becomes a very effective hiding place.
What I’ve noticed over the years is that momentum rarely arrives first.
Action comes first.
Momentum follows.
So yes.
We found the pink selfie stick.
And I fully intend to use it.
Not because it’s glamorous.
Not because it’s professional.
But because sometimes the smallest, slightly ridiculous step is the one that gets things moving again.
And right now, getting things moving feels far more important than getting everything perfect.
A final thought
Most businesses don’t need more motivation.
They need a way to keep moving when motivation disappears.
Sometimes that starts with a strategy.
Sometimes it starts with a website.
And occasionally, it starts with a pink selfie stick.
If yu want to talk to me about how to get your small company moving again check out my Contact page here
