My secret sauce for marketing has always been:
visibility + credibility
And that goes as much for people as it does for brands and organisations. What is marketing? Marketing is a tool to make it quicker and/or easier to reach your goals.
As a senior professional in the heritage industry, what are your goals? What do you want to achieve? And what could increasing your personal credibility or visibility do to help you reach those goals?
Here are just a few examples using LinkedIn as best platform for consistently building credibility and visibility.
Visibility for funding opportunities
You’re a museum director seeking funding for a major restoration project. By consistently sharing updates about your museum’s achievements and innovative plans on LinkedIn, funders start recognising your institution as forward-thinking and impactful, and associating you with that success and competency. When your funding proposal lands on their desk, they already associate you with success—making it an easier “yes.”
Credibility for sector influence
As a heritage consultant, you want to influence policy around sustainable tourism. Publishing thought-provoking LinkedIn articles about best practices in heritage conservation positions you as a credible voice. Policymakers and industry leaders take notice, inviting you to contribute to panels and working groups shaping the future of the sector.
Visibility + credibility for career growth
You’re a senior curator hoping to transition into a director role. By showcasing your leadership experience and engaging in meaningful discussions on LinkedIn, you expand your professional network. When a recruiter searches for candidates, your visible and credible profile ensures you’re on their shortlist.
1. Why visibility matters as much as credibility
When you meet someone in a professional capacity, what’s the first thing they do? They look you up on LinkedIn, right? While credibility comes from your experience and achievements, visibility ensures people know about them. A strong LinkedIn presence allows you to:
Showcase your leadership experience to a broader audience.
Amplify your organisation’s mission and projects.
Position yourself as a thought leader in the heritage sector.
If your profile is outdated or incomplete, you risk being overlooked, no matter how credible you are.
2. LinkedIn: the most effective tool for visibility for senior professionals
Heritage is a collaborative industry, and LinkedIn offers a unique space to engage with stakeholders, funders, policymakers, and peers. Whether you’re seeking partnerships for a new project or looking to influence sector discussions, LinkedIn provides a platform to:
Expand your professional network.
Share insights and engage in meaningful conversations.
Build relationships that lead to real-world opportunities.
3. Visibility unlocks opportunities
From funding leads to speaking engagements, LinkedIn’s networking power can help you discover opportunities you might never have encountered otherwise. By consistently engaging with your network and sharing your expertise, you’ll stay top of mind for:
Collaboration opportunities.
Innovative projects.
Speaking opportunities.
Board positions.
Consultancy roles.
High-profile sector initiatives.
4. Shape sector-wide conversations
As a senior professional, your voice carries weight. LinkedIn is a space where you can influence sector discussions, advocate for change, and showcase your organisation’s achievements. Use the platform to:
Publish thought leadership articles.
Share insights from projects or conferences.
Champion diversity, inclusion, and sustainability within the heritage sector.
5. Visibility for equity
LinkedIn isn’t just about personal gain; it’s a tool for systemic change. By sharing best practices and amplifying underrepresented voices, you can contribute to making the heritage sector more inclusive and equitable. Consider:
Highlighting diverse talent within your organisation.
Sharing resources that promote accessibility.
Engaging with posts from a wide range of professionals.
6. Tools to achieve visibility and credibility
The key to LinkedIn success lies in three pillars:
Visibility: Be active—share updates, comment on posts, and engage with your network.
Credibility: Showcase your expertise with well-thought-out posts and a polished profile.
Consistency: Regularly update your profile and participate in discussions to stay relevant.
Getting started
Investing in LinkedIn doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Start small by:
Updating your profile with recent achievements.
Sharing an article or insight from a project.
Engaging with posts from your network.
Click this button to download my guide for senior heritage professionals to boost their LinkedIn profile.
With a little effort, you can transform your LinkedIn presence into a powerful tool for professional growth and sector impact. Ready to take the next step? Let’s connect and discuss how LinkedIn can work for you.
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