There’s a moment in every freelancer’s journey when we realize just how visible we’ve become.
Maybe it’s the first time a stranger emails you with “Hey, I saw your post…”
Or the first Zoom call where someone comments on the room behind you.
Or when you’re tagged in a story by someone you’ve never met.
For many of us, visibility is part of the job. But what happens when that visibility becomes vulnerability?
This week, the digital world was shaken by the tragic death of Valeria Márquez, a 23-year-old beauty influencer from Mexico who was shot and killed during a live TikTok stream.
It’s a horrifying story — and one that feels painfully close for those of us who work online, share parts of our lives publicly, and trust the digital space to be safe.
This article isn’t about crime. It’s about awareness. About how, as remote workers, freelancers, and content creators, we can protect our presence — both digital and physical — while still showing up professionally online.
Valeria was a young entrepreneur and beauty content creator with over 100,000 followers on TikTok. She ran her own salon, “Blossom The Beauty Lounge,” and regularly shared tips, routines, and parts of her personal life with her audience.
During one of her live videos from her workplace, a man disguised as a delivery person entered and shot her multiple times. The livestream continued. Her followers witnessed the event in real time.
According to news reports, Valeria had previously expressed concerns about her safety. There are investigations pointing to possible gender-based violence and conflict with an ex-partner.
Her story went viral in Spain, Latin America, and across the digital freelancer community. Because for many of us, it struck a nerve.
You might not have a TikTok account. You might not stream live or consider yourself an “influencer.”
But if you work online — especially in public-facing roles like virtual assistance, coaching, marketing, or content creation — you’re visible.
We build trust by showing up: posting behind-the-scenes moments, talking to camera, sharing where we work or live, mentioning the café down the street we love.
It feels authentic. It builds connection. But it also opens a door.
And that’s where we need to pause and ask:
Are we being conscious of what we’re sharing?
Many freelancers — even unintentionally — reveal more than they realize online.
Think about casual stories that show your workspace, naming your favorite café, or mentioning your location in real time. Even something as simple as tagging a coworking space can give clues about your routine or physical location.
Individually, these may seem harmless. But together, they create a map — one that someone with bad intentions could follow.
Valeria’s story is extreme. But it shines a light on something many freelancers overlook: digital safety isn’t just for influencers. It’s for anyone who works online.
Here are some simple but powerful ways to stay safer without disconnecting from your audience:
If you love sharing your workspaces or favorite lunch spot, wait a few hours before posting. Real-time updates can reveal your exact location.
This is especially useful for freelancers who take Zoom calls from home. You can still look professional without showing your surroundings.
Did you know that some images uploaded from your phone contain location data? Before uploading, use a tool to strip that data or take screenshots instead.
Not everyone who messages you deserves your time or personal details. Use intake forms, professional platforms, or email instead of WhatsApp when possible.
You can still be authentic without mixing your family, location, or private moments into your professional feed.
Especially if you’re part of a freelancer or VA community — encourage conversations about red flags, scam attempts, or unsafe behavior.
Many of us chose this path for freedom — to work from anywhere, to build something of our own, to live with more flexibility.
But with that freedom comes a new kind of responsibility: being conscious of our visibility, and taking steps to protect ourselves and our community.
The digital world is powerful. It connects us, gives us work, builds relationships. But like any space where humans gather, it has risks.
Valeria’s death shouldn’t just be a trending headline. It should be a moment to pause, reflect, and recalibrate how we show up online.
If you’re reading this as a freelancer, remote worker, or creative entrepreneur, here’s what I want you to take from this story:
You can still grow your brand, connect with clients, and share value — while being smart about what you share, when you share it, and how you protect yourself in the process.
As someone who’s worked remotely for over a decade, I’ve seen how the lines between public and private blur. I’ve also made mistakes — posting locations in real time, sharing too much, responding to every message.
But we can learn. We can adjust. We can keep showing up — wisely, intentionally, and on our own terms.
Valeria Márquez deserved to be safe. So do we all.
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