What's the best way to build your reputation as a facilitator?

Agree, working to build your confidence (and your audience's confidence) is a key part of how you deliver. Having the ability to have a conversation with your audience- whoever they may be- really makes all the difference/

While I agree that defining your niche is important, being a student of the craft of building the confidence to demonstrate what "good looks like" is paramount. Practicing the skills and being ready to demonstrate strong facilitation skills ensures that you are prepared to deliver value in front of your audience at all times. Then, identify your target audience where you can deliver the most value, that you are passionate about, and the audience that brings you joy. When you have your target audience in front of you, facilitating a topic that motivates and inspires you is where you will find yourself at your best.

I love using the Ikigai framework to define this. Your "niche" is the intersection of: - What you are GOOD AT - What you LOVE - What the world NEEDS - What you can be PAID FOR

Showcasing a portfolio certainly gets people's attention and can provide instant credibility; aligning your portfolio with a clear value proposition amplifies the impact.

Your expertise and value you deliver to your target audience is demonstrated by how you show up for your audience. Showcasing your work (the discipline you employ, the methodology you apply, and the passion you bring) is what informs your audience of what they can expect from you and the experience you provide. This can be done by sharing insights (articles on a social platform like this), videos you may post online, or advice you offer via comments and posts of others to help them achieve their goals. One of the greatest ways to show up for your audience is to give freely. Certainly, you need to create a funnel to capture opportunities or generate revenue, however, a little giving goes a long way.

A portfolio doesn't need to be a complicated thing. Put together testimonials, photos, and sample works into a short PDF presentation and you can already upload this on LinkedIn. For facilitators, I recommend also including a list of topics that you are well-versed in, along with a brief description of each module.

Networking and collaborating are important in addition to finding opportunities to deliver. For example, found an industry-specific non-profit and volunteered to facilitate an event on Social Learning. While I did not ask for compensation, I was able to build a network in my local community (which I just moved into the year before). I also volunteered for extra work by participating in my employer's Business Resource Groups. I led career development events for remote employees. Through those efforts, I met someone who introduced me to an outside consultant. For two years we ran a summer Personal Branding event series for another non-profit to help professionals grow. Some examples of how to find opportunities for your target audience.

Feedback is essential to growth. When facilitating, if the organization is recording the event, ask for a copy for two reasons. 1. You can leverage excerpts of the video for promotion of your work. 2. Self-reflection is a great place to start in the feedback process. Watch your delivery and look for things like filler words, verbal & and non-verbal characteristics, as well as messaging. Make sure it lands well, has an impact, and leaves your audience with the experience you would like them to have. Asking your audience for feedback or peers in the crowd is another way to gather insights that will help you grow. Following leaders in your craft on social media and watching videos (TedTalks/Podcasts) to see what works for you.

One great way I've seen facilitators grow their reputation and business is by offering free, public webinars. It is now easier than ever to livestream a webinar on Linkedin or other social media platforms. It's a win-win because not only are you getting your name out there, but you are also helping provide accessible learning to your audience.

Plain and simple, be your authentic self. Trying to be like someone else will only lead to failure. While you may research what others are doing, make it your own and show up as your authentic self (Strengths and flaws). We all have them and respect others who are honest, transparent, knowledgeable, humble, gracious, and kind!

Consistency is key. I always ensure that what I teach in my workshops, what I post online, and how I treat people IRL are in alignment with one another. Otherwise, I trust that people will eventually spot when I am not being my authentic self.