414:Show Up, Stand Out with Bofta M Yimam

Reflections from host Sarah Olivieri ... Visibility Isn't Vanity—It's How Trust Gets Built There's a quiet belief I hear from nonprofit leaders all the time: "If I focus too much on visibility, it will feel like it's about me." But here's the truth: If people don't see you, they can't trust you. And if they don't trust you, they won't invest. That's why this conversation with Bofta Yimam stuck with me. She didn't just talk about LinkedIn as a marketing tool. She reframed it as something much more important: 👉 A trust-building engine. The Real Reason Visibility Matters Most nonprofits don't struggle because their work isn't meaningful. They struggle because not enough people understand it. And in today's world, understanding doesn't come from one meeting or one email. It comes from repeated exposure. From seeing you show up. From hearing how you think. From watching how you lead. That's what visibility does. It shortens the distance between "I've heard of you" and "I trust you." Why Personal Branding Feels So Uncomfortable A lot of leaders hesitate here. They understand the value—but it still feels uncomfortable. There's a fear that being visible will come across as self-promotion. Or that it somehow takes attention away from the mission. But in reality, the opposite is true. People connect with people first. Then they connect with organizations. When you share why you care, how you think, and what you're seeing… You make the mission more accessible. Visibility Shortens the Fundraising Cycle One of the most practical takeaways from this conversation is this: 👉 Visibility builds trust before the conversation even starts. Instead of starting from zero every time you meet a donor, they already feel like they know you. They've seen your perspective. They've followed your work. They've watched your consistency. So when you finally talk, you're not introducing yourself. You're continuing a conversation that's already been happening. Consistency Beats Intensity You don't need to post every day. You don't need a full marketing team. What you need is consistency. A few thoughtful posts each week. Clear messaging. And a willingness to keep showing up—even when it feels slow. Because this is not about quick wins. It's about building momentum over time. Think of It Like a Room You Want to Be In One of my favorite ways to think about LinkedIn is this: It's a room full of people who care about impact, ideas, and connection. Your job isn't to impress the room. Your job is to show up, be part of the conversation, and make it easier for the right people to find you. Start Simple If you're not sure where to begin: Clean up your profile so it clearly reflects your work Share one story from your organization each week Talk about what you're learning as a leader Highlight the people and impact behind the mission That's enough to get started. Final Thought Visibility isn't about being louder. It's about being clearer, more consistent, and more human. Because when people understand you, they trust you. And when they trust you, they invest. About the Guest Bofta Yimam is an Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, international speaker, and Founder of StoryLede. As the first Ethiopian-American newscaster to receive an Emmy, she helps leaders and business owners amplify their stories and boost visibility. With more than a decade of reporting for outlets like CBS News and The Black News Channel, Bofta has covered historic moments from the White House to the 2020 election. As a former Capitol Hill Correspondent, she's known for her powerful storytelling and trusted voice on issues impacting communities of color. Today, Bofta is a sought-after speaker and corporate trainer who empowers entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, and thought leaders to elevate their presence online, on stage, and in their industries—driving greater visibility, impact, and revenue. Connect with BoftaWebsite: BoftaYimam.com Company: StoryLede.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BoftaYimam Bofta's profile: accessspeakers.biz/speaker/bofta-yimam-emmy-award-winning-journalist-correspondent-speaker-strategist/  Call to Action for Listeners: Connect with Bofta on LinkedIn—she'd love to hear from you! Be sure to mention you found her through this show! Linkedin.com/in/BoftaYimam  Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.