From Money Shame to Profit Normalization
For decades — especially in France — money was taboo.
It was something you had, but never talked about.
You could work hard, but not too loud.
Earn well, but don’t say it.
Ambition? Yes — but modest, please.
But the game has changed.
We now celebrate entrepreneurs.
We compare invoices. We post MRRs.
We embrace startup culture, side hustles, and six-figure freelancing.
📈 Talking about money is no longer offensive. It’s a signal of competence.
This shift was long overdue. But there’s a catch:
Societies always need a villain.
Once money stopped being the bad guy…
fame took its place.
Visibility is Now Suspect
We don’t mock money anymore.
We mock those who are seen.
→ You post too much? You’re “building a personal brand.”
→ You get engagement? “You must be buying followers.”
→ You’re followed? “Must be an ego trip.”
We’ve entered a cultural moment where fame — even small-scale, professional visibility — is instantly suspect.
Why? Because being seen = being vulnerable.
And being admired? That threatens people who never dared.
But here’s the truth nobody says out loud:
Visibility is no longer optional.
Not if you want to lead.
Not if you want to grow.
Not if you want to move.
The Like Is Not Innocent
Let’s talk about the most misunderstood tool on LinkedIn:
the like.
You think it’s just a gesture.
You’re wrong. It’s a door.
When you like someone’s post: → You expose their voice to your audience.
→ You tell the algorithm: “this message matters.”
→ You borrow — and lend — social capital.
And if the post is strong, if the message hits —
people visit. They click.
They land on that profile.
Some follow.
Some message.
Some buy.
Visibility becomes traction.
Fame becomes conversion.
And it all started with… one click.
The Real Power of Strategic Fame
People confuse fame with narcissism.
It’s not.
Fame — when earned and used with clarity —
is a multiplier.
Visibility gives you: → Negotiation power.
→ Asymmetric access.
→ First-mover advantage.
→ Cultural influence.
It is the soft power of the 21st century.
The problem isn’t being visible.
The problem is being visible without knowing why.
Why the Hate?
The visibility backlash is emotional.
We hate those who appear “effortlessly successful.”
We resent those who seem followed for “no reason.”
But that’s a surface-level read.
Behind every visible person, there’s a grind: → Years of testing messages that didn’t land.
→ Self-doubt.
→ Losing clients for speaking too loud.
→ Getting labeled “too much” for being clear.
→ Receiving silence from peers who watch, but never support.
You see the reach.
You don’t see the resistance.
What We Actually Need to Learn
In this new paradigm, we need to shift our mindset.
🔥 Visibility is not a risk. It’s an asset.
🔥 The Like is not applause. It’s a social bridge.
🔥 Fame is not evil. Misalignment is.
If you use your platform: → to share what you know,
→ to stand for what you believe,
→ to bring others into the light with you —
Then you’re not “showing off.”
You’re showing up.
And that’s what this era needs.
Visibility = Access. And Access = Leverage.
This isn’t about being famous.
This is about being found.
In 2024, no matter your industry, your niche, your size:
if you’re not visible, you’re invisible.
And you don’t get to impact if you’re invisible.
→ Talent won’t find you.
→ Clients won’t trust you.
→ Partners won’t choose you.
Because attention is the new trust.
And visibility is the new credibility.
✊ Final Thought: Stop Apologizing for Being Seen
If you’re playing long-term,
If you’re building something with real depth,
If you’re scaling without losing your soul —
Then own your light.
Use it with purpose.
Build responsibly.
And yes — be seen.
We don’t need more hidden geniuses.
We need visible leaders.
Grounded ones.
Human ones.
Real ones.
I’m Marcus.
I use visibility to serve, not to shine.
And I think it’s time we stop fearing the spotlight —
and start using it for something that matters.
Follow me on LK if you like
