Hey, October is Self Promotion Month!

October is Self-Promotion Month! Use these six tips to get a new jumpstart on getting out there and getting known.

Written Oct 01, 2009, read 6006 times since then.

Do you own your own business? Then you must self-promote because no one else is going to do it for you. So what? Well, if no one knows about your service, you’re not going to have a business for very long!

Self-promotion should not be smarmy and obnoxious. It should be honest, forthright, and feel like you are forming mutually beneficial connections with others.

How can you self-promote the right way? Try these six tips:

Be the “Go-To” Gal or Guy. When networking, really listen to the services others provide. Educate yourself on what and who is out there and be ready to link people with what they need. If you become the “go-to” person then you’ll be remembered as helpful and willing and will be first in the minds of people when it’s your service they need.

Don’t let people live with rats. You provide a useful service, right? If you own a pest control company, wouldn’t you agree that people with pests really do need your service? Regardless of your service, if you truly believe that you have something valuable to offer, then frankly it’s selfish not to tell people about it. Why are you letting people continue to live with rats if you can do something about it?!

Be nice. I love Les Schwab. I wish that I could by my groceries and get dental work done at Les Schwab. Because they are SO DARN NICE and always helpful. The moral? If people LIKE you they want to do business with you, and they will find ways to do business with you one way or another.

Specialize. I know, it’s scary, but if you say that ‘everyone’s your client’ then you’re really not for me. I want to know that you are great at what you do, and to do that you have to specialize. You’ll fear losing clients, but long term you want to be seen and sought-after as an expert, and you can’t do that as a jack-of-all-trades! To read a great article on specializing try http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/11/29/take-the-risk-and-specialize-in-order-to-stand-out/

Show up. Facebook, Twitter, Biznik, E-women, Le Tip, BNI... they can all work but you’ll only get out what you put it. So be consistent, show up regularly, get to know the members and take an active interest in what they do. And do this for months and years, not weeks. Show up when your business is slow, and especially when your business is busy. Only then will you reap the rewards of networking and self-promotion.

Tell a good story. Don’t ever, EVER, tell someone your job title when they ask what you do. That’s just a quick way to end the conversation. Seriously... “I’m a psychologist” “I’m a plumber” “I’m a designer.” Boring! How about “I help people overcome their fear of the dark.” “I unclog the sink after the kids try to see how many legos will fit in the garbage disposal.” “I makeover living rooms so that people aren’t embarrassed to have their friends come over.” You see, it may not tell *everything* you do, but it *will* get the conversation going!

Self-promotion is all about showing up and not being selfish with the knowledge you have that can help others. Be educated, helpful and nice, and you will find success!

Learn more about the author, Rebecca West.

Posted by Angel Perry, Sedro Woolley, Washington | Oct 01, 2009

Rebecca,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject. It got me thinking about "what I do" and the way I'm going to start answering that question. It's easy to say "I'm a plumber", etc.. but you're right, it's boreing.

Angel Perry
Posted by Jodie Le, Seattle, Washington | Oct 01, 2009

Thanks Rebecca. This is something I need more practice on. I'm truly my own worst critic so even though I know I'm good at what I do, I'm not good at expressing it.
Posted by Rebecca West, Seattle, Washington | Oct 01, 2009

Glad you enjoyed the article, Angel. Your company looks great - I wish you weren't out all the way in Sedro Woolley!

And welcome Jodie and congrats on starting your new business. You've got quite the adventure ahead of you!
Posted by Kimberly Dow, Frederick, Maryland | Oct 01, 2009

Great article, Angel. I especially like your blurb about telling a good story! What a great way to look at it, and a great way to be able to explain what you do and get the conversation moving. Thanks for the idea!
Posted by Bobbi Jo Woods, Maplewood, Minnesota | Oct 01, 2009

Good article, Rebecca

Networking is such a popular topic these days, but so many people forget that how you present yourself and self-promote is utterly important. You can't just show up and dole out business cards to everyone you see and call it a day.

Thanks for the pointers/reminders!
Posted by Kimberly Dow, Frederick, Maryland | Oct 01, 2009

Sorry, I meant good article rebecca! Sorry for the error, I was reading and typing at the same time. oops!
Posted by Kelly Lenihan, Sequim, Washington | Oct 01, 2009

This was a nice article with great tips. I'll be sharing this with my clients. Thank you Rebecca!
Posted by Christoph Kruger, Seattle, Washington | Oct 01, 2009

Inspiring and some great reminders. I especially like the Good Story.
Posted by Amy Kessel, ACC, Vashon, Washington | Oct 02, 2009

Rebecca, Thanks for this refreshing article. I'm struck by how satisfying it is to combine having a Good Story to tell to my target audience, now that I am indeed specializing. Double the impact and double the fun for us both!
Posted by Anil Atluri, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh India | Oct 02, 2009

That's a good one, Rebecca. Yes, you are being selfish if you do not help others with your specialized skills. And the "elevator" talk should talk about your service not mention your designation. Good one!
Posted by Jed Share, Seattle, Washington | Oct 02, 2009

You make good points and it's stuff we all can do in the real world. I love that! the stuff that we can use in our daily lives. Thx.
Posted by Marlene Rockey, Seattle, Washington | Oct 02, 2009

Rebecca, I always enjoy reading your articles and this one was no exception. I just love your engaging writing style, all the while passing along such useful information. The "tell a good story" is the one I really related to...as it is something to keep in mind at all times in just about every situation. Thanks for the great article and very useful tips!

Marlene
Posted by ALLEN DUNLAP, Collingdale, Pennsylvania | Oct 02, 2009

Good article; I particularly like the thoughts on describing what you do. It gives everyone the opportunity to present themselves in a manner that is a help to others!
Posted by Paula Freeman, Bothell | Oct 02, 2009

I love this and I will take it on. I especially like the part about telling someone your job title vs really telling them what you DO. Thank you!
Posted by Martin Filion, Matagami, Quebec Canada | Oct 02, 2009

Thank you very much for these about tips, we find a lot of wisdom there. Your teaching suggest to take place in the skin of the other one, to understand better how to interest visitors and to develop loyalty of them.

Martin
Posted by Jack Young, Bellevue, Washington | Oct 02, 2009

It's a pleasant feeling reading your article!

Jack
Posted by Patricia McGuire, Port Orchard, Washington | Oct 02, 2009

Rebecca

Great article with "real life" common sense ideas. Thank you so much for sharing what should really be obvious to us all.

Continued business success to you!!

Pat
Posted by Laurie Knowles Herron, Damariscotta, Maine | Oct 03, 2009

Thanks Rebecca,

I especially like your last tip about telling what you do in an interesting way. I'm all over self-promo this month, I'd going to fluff up my studio, have a few open houses and I have new signage coming for the road frontage. And I'm adding lettering to my vehicles. Your article has great tips. Thanks!

Laurie Herron - Prez Royal River Graphics Web and Ad Promotion
Posted by Melissa Hadfield, Seattle, Washington | Oct 04, 2009

Thanks for giving me some concrete ideas to take into the world! Hope to see you at another event soon.

-Melissa
Posted by Jane Lee, New York, New York | Oct 04, 2009

Hi Rebecca

Great article. With Social Media and Networking, I totally agree it's not about self promotion of your service, but how you can help your customer grow and build their business.

Coach Jane Lee
Posted by Bruce Follansbee, Seattle, Washington | Oct 05, 2009

Rebecca,

Great piece. I think another good way to self promote is to give value first, and without expectation.

Second, in the words of Jeffery Gittomer, it's not who you know, it's who knows you.
Posted by Shilpi Agarwal, San Jose, California | Oct 06, 2009

Great Article and good tips. Always worth remembering and reminding!
Posted by Mike Miller, PhD, Westlake, Ohio | Oct 08, 2009

THANKS for timeless reminders, especially describing what your specialty is, rather than what your job title may be.

Mike Miller, PhD
Posted by Aaron Savage, London, Greater London United Kingdom | Oct 08, 2009

You’ve got some excellent tips there.

Some comments:

On Rats. You are right that nobody likes living with rats, and anybody that has rats will not like living with them. But (to carry on your analogy), some people don't know they have rats, other people don’t understand how bad it is to have rats, some people think rats are pets. How are you going to explain to them that they would be a lot better off without their rats. You cannot fulfil a need if no need exists and creating need will be different for different people. Think about objections and education, and create a sales pitch to deal with every scenario. You won’t get far just saying "I can get rid of your rats for $25.

On specializing. Specialization is a good thing but think about the specialisation you actually offer. Are you the guy who makes the best water proof boots, sells umbrellas, makes overcoats, or are you the guy who can tell people when its going to rain. People pay more for specialised knowledge that helps them when they need it.

On Stories. Anyone who hasn't read Seth Godin's All Marketers are Liars" should order it form Amazon today

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=All+marketers+are+liars&x=0&y=0

and why you are at it, order everything else he has ever written and subscribe to his blog. Any sale is not made because the product sold itself, it is made because you told a story that was believed. In doing that you created a need and then fulfilled that need. If you have not written your story then do it now. I don’t mean lie, the Internet is too big and too easy to catch you out if you lie. There are too many charlatans in the world lying their tails off already, so it will make you stand out if you tell the truth. Tell an honest story, tell a good story, tell an entertaining story, tell a story that everybody needs to hear, Tell a story that everybody wants to repeat to their friends and that will get you sales.

Aaron
Posted by Karen Floyd, Seattle, Washington | Oct 08, 2009

Rebecca, Great points. I am especially happy that you added:

"if you truly believe that you have something valuable to offer, then frankly it’s selfish not to tell people about it."

It has been my experience that if I don't feel like I have something valuable to offer I'm not in the right business!

Realizing the worth of what I offer is KEY to my being able to sell myself, much less be successful! AND you're so right, IT IS NOT SELFISH to let people know that you can help them.

Karen Floyd
Posted by John Pendleton, Oak Harbor, Washington | Oct 08, 2009

Enjoyed your article...esp about "What do you do." I use to introduce myself as a photographer. Many quickly followed with stories about their dusty cameras purchased during their Vietnam tour or their teen daughter with an interest in taking pictures. I wasn't taken seriously. I now say I help individuals and companies build an image, make $$$$ or tell stories about their human experiences even teach them to have fun or document memories (visually). I turn ordinary people lanky, tubby, awkward folks into magazine icon. 90% of my clients buy ME!
Posted by Johanna Annable, Vancouver, Washington | Oct 08, 2009

Rebecca, great points made in your article! Your article was very interesting in that it was helpful, yet entertaining and moved me to rethink my elevator speech.

Nice work!
Posted by David Losh, Seattle, Washington | Oct 08, 2009

Your article has a lot of points that have touched me, but Les Schwab is a great example.

Consistence, pleasantness, and professionalism goes a long way no matter what the product.
Posted by Michele Hill, Moab, Utah | Oct 08, 2009

About to exhibit at a conference and expo T.E.A.M.S. and look forward to applying these credits to my repertoire.
Posted by Lisa J. Jackson, Nashua, New Hampshire | Oct 08, 2009

I enjoyed this article. I've always been a 'go-to' person and have found it has paid off well over the years. Not something that necessarily comes right away, but if I'm able to refer a person to a business I know about, whether I actually use that business or not, I'm helping both the person and the business.

The "tell a good story" is an angle I hadn't considered before, but I can see how it will be beneficial. I've "shown up" on various social networking sites, but you've listed a couple I haven't heard about.

Lisa J. Jackson
Posted by Laura Yon-Brooks, MA, LMP, Seattle, Washington | Oct 08, 2009

Rebecca Thanks for your article. It was a nice reminder not to be selfish, because sometimes I get tired of listening to myself talk.

Laura Yon-Brooks
Posted by Flora Brown, Anaheim Hills, California | Oct 08, 2009

Rebecca,

Thanks for the great tips and the reminder to get busy promoting ourselves.

The tip that resonates most with me is the story. Telling a story instead of giving folks a job title works wonders to get people interested in asking more about your business. That's the start of sharing more detail about how you can solve their problems.
Posted by Nélida Kreer, Montevideo, Montevideo Uruguay | Oct 08, 2009

Hi Rebecca,

Very helpful tips. At the risk of being repetitive, the "Tell a good story" hint is a real hit, I never saw it that way and will try to put it in practice. Plus all the other very valid points you make about networking, the Les Schwab's being nice, and so on, which you tend to forget in the midst of everyday hassle.
Posted by Jen Payne, Seattle, Washington | Oct 08, 2009

"Tell a good story" was an ah-ha for me. Thanks for the article!
Posted by NEAL KELLNER, HANSVILLE, Washington | Oct 08, 2009

Good stuff Rebecca! It is really all about the basiics - which we all need to be reminded of over and over again. Your presentation of the concepts was a joy to read. Made me smile. It would be a joy to have coffee one day and hear more. Your attitudes are contagious. Neal
Posted by Ali Goodwin, Kittery, Maine | Oct 08, 2009

Great article Rebecca! It's amazing how quickly the basics can get lost on you and your own business when you spend all your time promoting and specializing someone else's business. Thanks for the reminder that I need to be focusing on my business as well!

Your article was enjoyable to read and certainly brings truth to the saying "so what's your story?"

Ali Goodwin, Main Brain of Acadia Creative
Posted by Muniirah Mbabazi, Kampala Uganda | Oct 08, 2009

Hi Rebecca, what a well articulated article i have read on self promotion this week. I am starting a new bussiness, quite often i have felt inadequate even when i know i am good at what i do. In my mind i have always felt that i can do better than what i have been doing on self promotion. after this reading i guess i can do a thousand times better. i loved your idea on telling a good story. At the moment, i feel i know how to package my story. thanks Rebecca, good work.
Posted by Gabriel Cain, Seattle, Washington | Oct 09, 2009

Great article and well worth remembering. Another good thing to remember is that it's about connections between people: genuinely helping each-other solve problems, and meet common goals.

Thanks!
Posted by Jodi Shamblott, Minnetonka, Minnesota | Oct 09, 2009

Great article! These tips can quickly become a daily mantra. . .believe in yourself, your product and be proud of what you do in life!

Thanks!
Posted by william sawyers, Concord, California | Oct 09, 2009

I like this idea!

Can you write a good ad?-LOL

Now I have think of what I am?

21 years school custodian and three years children author=?
Posted by John Trivedi, Bothell, Washington | Oct 09, 2009

Rebecca,

Such a wonderful article! Thanks for pointing out everything and what we really need to do consistently to effectively self-promote ourselves. I'm going to write these 6 down in my notes and make sure I refer to them often, or better yet, just bookmark the article :)

Thanks again, John
Posted by Katy Canete, Seattle, Washington | Oct 09, 2009

Thanks for the inspiration to get out there and get involved! It's easy to wax and wane in the networking world but I think you're right that consistency is the key and to be authentic with your story. Great!
Posted by Deborah Asavarahapun, Seattle, Washington | Oct 09, 2009

Thank you Rebecca!

I will never again introduce myself as an accountant. How boring is that.

From now on it's "I give seminars to business owners, How to Hire and Oversee a Bookkeeper, so I don't have to do as many major QuickBooks cleanups at year end."

Thanks for the great article.

Deborah
Posted by Chrystal Bougon, San Jose, California | Oct 12, 2009

I am going to share this on Fb and Twitter. LOVE this and I love your point about how to say what it is you do - I help people to have better sex is better then saying I sell sex toys!

Great advice, thanks!
Posted by Cassandra Rae, Sunnyvale, California | Oct 12, 2009

Great article - thanks Chrystal for sharing it with me on FB!
Posted by Jen Duchene, Palo Alto, California | Oct 12, 2009

Cleverly written. You got my attention. I love the part of not letting people live with rats.
Posted by Paul Travis, CMC, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Oct 12, 2009

Super article!

It ties in with some research I'm doing on the networking topic for my next book -- quantifying results and experiences.

Numerous people have said this ~5 minute survey actually helped them look at their process differently!

All Bizniks are invited to participate:

http://sn.im/NetworkingSurvey

Thanks in advance,

Paul
Posted by Lai Harris, Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Oct 12, 2009

Great article! I will make every effort to "Tell a good story"at the next networking event.
Posted by Olabode Oruku, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria | Oct 13, 2009

Thanks for your article. Like they say in one Toyota advert, "Good Thinking, Good Product." This is a great article for all entrepreneurs. Your article has helped to make my business story, a good story. Rather than say I am an internet marketing consultant, it will be more communicating to say I help entrepreneurs to use the internet tools to make more sales.
Posted by Tannya Bernadette, Seattle, Washington | Oct 16, 2009

Rebecca!

This article was to the point yet you used descriptive words and phrases to keep the audience attentive to everything you had to say. I really love the don't let people live with rats. It is amazing how many talented people we meet yet they do not know how to express themselves when they get so caught up in the business aspect instead of remembering why they started....to HELP.

The story piece is also so good and something every business owner needs :-)

Thanks for the good read!

Tannya Bernadette
Posted by Pam English, Virginia Beach, Virginia | Oct 22, 2009

Great article with helpful tips! I will be implementing the "good story" tip immediately!
Posted by Shaun Lawrence, Irvine, California | Oct 29, 2009

As a Bookkeeper here in Orange County, I am alway looking at ways to spice it up when introducing myself. Time to start thinking of stories. Shaun