Be Brazen - Self Promote
Self promotion is the ability to let others know your strengths, capabilities and accomplishments.
A study by the employee research and consulting firm, Towers Perrin-ISR, found that, "For women, it's all about what's good for the company.
For men, it is more about strategies for advancement.
" Women tend to feel awkward even when it is appropriate to present themselves in the best possible light.
It is often easier for women to say, "Silly little me," than, "My strengths include...
" As a therapist and woman much of my attention has been focused on acknowledging others.
When I made a career shift into professional speaking, I felt uncomfortable promoting and "selling" myself.
If you are like me, your initial reaction might be to judge this whole idea as crass.
But we are not talking about in-your-face pushiness or arrogance.
We are talking about informing others.
Yes, self-promotion it is often to our advantage but it is also often to others' advantage.
Whether we do a good job at it or not, very day we sell or promote our ideas, proposed actions or positions.
I began to think of self-promotion as a way to inform others about solutions I could provide for their challenges.
Let us say you had the cure for a disease.
Would you not promote your solution? You have experience, information and answers that others do not.
By announcing your offerings your organization and the world can become a better place.
The other aspect of letting yourself be known is deciding on the image you want to present.
You can choose any picture you want from Rock Star to Geek.
How you dress, walk, talk and relate gives a message.
There are endless choices.
Think of a car.
What model and make would you be? Would you choose a sensible compact version or a sports car? When you buy a new car, you make sure it is shiny and clean.
Then you show it off to your friends and family.
Whatever illusion or image of yourself you decide to present do it to the max.
We benefit by doing the same with our abilities.
The basic guideline for resumes is this -- always present the best possible picture of yourself.
This directive will help you request a raise or a promotion.
It will also assist you in a job interview or when starting your own business.
Self promotion when done in the service of others takes away from the possibility of arrogant and aggressive pitching.
It is true that aggressive promotion is offensive.
Just remember the last time you cleverly escaped a pushy sales representative.
However, there are ways to blow your own horn and still have people like and respect you.
Ten Tips for Blowing Your Own Horn -- "I have exciting news.
"
A study by the employee research and consulting firm, Towers Perrin-ISR, found that, "For women, it's all about what's good for the company.
For men, it is more about strategies for advancement.
" Women tend to feel awkward even when it is appropriate to present themselves in the best possible light.
It is often easier for women to say, "Silly little me," than, "My strengths include...
" As a therapist and woman much of my attention has been focused on acknowledging others.
When I made a career shift into professional speaking, I felt uncomfortable promoting and "selling" myself.
If you are like me, your initial reaction might be to judge this whole idea as crass.
But we are not talking about in-your-face pushiness or arrogance.
We are talking about informing others.
Yes, self-promotion it is often to our advantage but it is also often to others' advantage.
Whether we do a good job at it or not, very day we sell or promote our ideas, proposed actions or positions.
I began to think of self-promotion as a way to inform others about solutions I could provide for their challenges.
Let us say you had the cure for a disease.
Would you not promote your solution? You have experience, information and answers that others do not.
By announcing your offerings your organization and the world can become a better place.
The other aspect of letting yourself be known is deciding on the image you want to present.
You can choose any picture you want from Rock Star to Geek.
How you dress, walk, talk and relate gives a message.
There are endless choices.
Think of a car.
What model and make would you be? Would you choose a sensible compact version or a sports car? When you buy a new car, you make sure it is shiny and clean.
Then you show it off to your friends and family.
Whatever illusion or image of yourself you decide to present do it to the max.
We benefit by doing the same with our abilities.
The basic guideline for resumes is this -- always present the best possible picture of yourself.
This directive will help you request a raise or a promotion.
It will also assist you in a job interview or when starting your own business.
Self promotion when done in the service of others takes away from the possibility of arrogant and aggressive pitching.
It is true that aggressive promotion is offensive.
Just remember the last time you cleverly escaped a pushy sales representative.
However, there are ways to blow your own horn and still have people like and respect you.
Ten Tips for Blowing Your Own Horn -- "I have exciting news.
"
- Shift from talking about your responsibilities to telling stories about your accomplishments.
From, "I have responsibility for my department's data inputting," to, "Last week my manager had a rush job.
I was working on another project but I managed to accurately input 5,000 plus words and format the annual report.
Wait until you see it!" - Use numbers when possible.
"I was surprised to realize that last year I averaged $10,000 in monthly sales.
" - Talk with passion about what you have read or learned.
"The university class on Positive Inquiry gave me many tools that I now use to improve my staff's morale.
" - Offer help to others.
"I will gladly forward you my article that shows how do to that.
" - Speak up and volunteer when you hear opportunities to use your strengths.
"I can do that! It is similar to a project I did last year.
" - Think of yourself as a helpful sales representative.
You are selling your ideas and worth. - Find a colleague who will promote you and, in return, do likewise.
- Make a list of your major achievements.
Journal your daily accomplishments. - Bring treats for everyone when a major task or project is completed.
- Remember, if you don't let others know what you have to offer, they won't know or acknowledge your value!
