75. Show Up Without Selling Out: The Visibility Strategy That Actually Works
If you’re over the performance of social media and exhausted by networking events that feel like a pitchfest, this one’s for you.
This week on the Accidental CEO Podcast, we sat down with Aria Leighty—the unapologetic founder of Show The F*ck Up Media—to talk about what visibility really looks like when you stop trying to game the algorithm and start showing up as yourself.
Let’s be honest: most visibility strategies today are transactional. Post the thing. Say the line. Get the like. Repeat. But Aria is calling B.S. on that entire approach. And we’re here for it.
The Problem With Visibility As We Know It
We’ve all felt the pressure to be more “visible.”
But here’s the catch: visibility without authenticity is just noise. It doesn’t build trust, it doesn’t build business, and it sure as hell doesn’t feel good.
Aria breaks it down: If you’re treating every person like a lead or every interaction like a potential sale, you’re not networking. You’re hunting. And people can feel that from a mile away.
“Stop looking at everybody like a lead or a price tag.”
Boom. There’s your mic drop.
Redefining What It Means to Show Up
Visibility isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being real wherever you are.
Aria’s visibility strategy centers around:
- Showing up in your authenticity (even if it feels awkward or imperfect)
- Building real relationships instead of chasing likes
- Diversifying visibility so you’re not dependent on social media algorithms
This is what we call human-first marketing. And it works.
The Plug: A Resource You Didn’t Know You Needed
One of Aria’s most powerful tools? The Plug, her free monthly newsletter that curates networking and visibility opportunities specifically for women of color and queer entrepreneurs.
This isn’t your typical “roundup.” It’s a living, breathing space that values inclusion and intentionality. If you’re tired of generic advice and dead-end FB groups, The Plug is your new go-to.
Hosting Events That Don’t Suck
As someone who’s hosted countless networking events, Aria’s seen what works (and what absolutely doesn’t).
Her formula for events that actually connect people:
- Be welcoming as hell. No one should feel like they’re crashing a clique.
- Explain the flow. Help people feel grounded, not confused.
- Build bridges. Introduce people, connect the dots, spark the energy.
This isn’t about handing out business cards. It’s about creating a vibe.
“Showing up in your authenticity… is making the world a better and safer space for all of us.”
Beyond the Scroll: Alternative Visibility Strategies
Here’s the truth: social media is noisy. And for a lot of creatives, it’s exhausting.
So Aria encourages creatives to explore other avenues:
- Speaking gigs
- Hosting your own local meetups
- Being a guest on value-aligned podcasts
- Newsletters (like hers!)
- Collaborations and co-marketing
You don’t need to go viral to get visible. You need to get strategic—and stay aligned.
Key Takeaways
- Visibility is about connection, not just content
- Authentic networking trumps cold outreach
- Hosting with intention builds community, not just attendance
- Social isn’t the only path—diversify where you show up
What You Can Do This Week
- Subscribe to The Plug newsletter
- Audit your last 5 networking interactions—were you hunting or connecting?
- Plan one visibility action that doesn’t involve social media
Ready to Show Up Differently?
The pressure to perform is real. But the relief of being real is even better.
Go listen to the full conversation with Aria Leighty on the Accidental CEO Podcast. This episode is your permission slip to do things differently—and more meaningfully.
Listen here and let us know what resonated most.
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