Shameless Self-Promotion: How to Promote Yourself at Work

Shameless self-promotion should be an essential component of a woman’s ongoing career growth strategy.

If a careerist isn’t tooting her own horn, she’ll find herself quickly forgotten amongst the competitive sea of qualified candidates.

So, what are you afraid of? Think you’ll aggravate people or be labeled a self-serving narcissist? Have no fear. With these shameless self-promotion tips any career wallflower can learn how to be aggressive and unforgettable without being obnoxious.

Shameless Self-Promotion Tip #1 Never push your business card on every person you meet.

Attempt to build genuine rapport first; then promote yourself.

Can’t stand that person who shoves a business card into your hand before a proper introduction? You’re not alone. The only reason why this marketing moocher makes people feel violated and queasy is because of her lack of finesse.

This behavior is similar to the man who wants to grope a woman on a first date, and then wants sex without any commitment. Damn, can you at least ask me what’s my full name and then request a polite kiss on the cheek?

Be gentle, yet confident with your shameless self-promotion.

When you meet a new business contact, use small talk to introduce yourself; then ask for contact information later in the conversation. Give sincere compliments.  Be a good listener to determine when or if you should promote yourself.

Upon your introduction ask, ” Is this your first time at this event?” or say “WOW, I love your tie/shoes/dress.” This approach sounds a lot nicer than “My boss is making me fill a business card quota, so take my card and give me yours.” (True story; I didn’t make this one up.)

Volunteer for opportunities beyond your job description. Then shamelessly self-promote yourself until you’re blue in the face.

Give speeches, write articles and mentor others. Expand your reach beyond the local neighborhood folks. As an undergraduate, I constantly gave free speeches to community groups, churches and schools.

When I had a full-time job and new opportunities became available, I always volunteered for extra responsibilities – paid and unpaid.

My self-promotion mojo strengthened because I was never afraid of new opportunities to shine or promote my skills. Does volunteerism add more work to your plate? O

f course, but I’d rather be labeled as a gutsy girl who isn’t scared of challenge, than a career wallflower who needs a man to ask her to get on the dance floor.

When you are done volunteering or lending a hand, get ready to promote yourself using the tips below:

• Write a newsworthy press release to promote your efforts.
• Submit your news to the company newsletter and local community newspaper.
• Write an article in an industry journal or website to promote your special gifts.
• Post an item to your blog announcing your latest volunteer event or speech.

Also, your accomplishment-based resume will burst at the seams with the addition of all the new career accolades and achievements added to your skill arsenal.

Generalists are easily forgotten. Specialists demand attention.

A Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon and Anesthesiologist will spark interest more in a crowded room of M.D.s than a General Practitioner ever would. In a sea of clinicians, the doctor who can keep your face as soft as a baby’s bottom is hard to forget.

Shameless self-promotion begins with the one-line-promote-yourself brag statement.

It’s time for your shameless plug. Be a specialist in your field with an unforgettable one-line introduction. Craft a one line marketing phrase to use during introductions. Practice this phrase over and over as your brag statement of success.

For example when people ask me about my personal life I always say the same line: “I’m an entertainment copywriter living the life fantastic with my darling husband, and our pampered pooch.”

If the self promotion brag statement you’ve developed takes longer than one or two breaths to say it; revise it. It’s too long.

If you don’t have a blog or belong to any social networks; what are you waiting for girlfriend?

In the year 2008, the career wallflower hiding behind her computer screen is missing an opportunity to bloom. Put your bragging shoes on. Promote yourself and make a connection with new web contacts.

For those introverts like me who are shy and nervous to introduce themselves at a function; face your fears and get to typing.

Start a blog showing people how well you write or think. Create a business profile on Facebook or LinkedIn to network with colleagues. Start talking up your expertise in forums and blog comments.

It’s never too late to start showing the world your unique talents. And the web is a low-cost way to start practicing these self promotion techniques; quick, fast and in a hurry.

Old-school gratitude never fails. In the age of email, hand-written thank you notes go a long way.

Celebrations are a great way to practice these self-promotion tips. When a CEO that you admire does well, send a hand written note. Applaud your competitor on a job well done. Get over your inner “who does she think she is” and spread thank you notes all around.

Remember the last personal note you received? Didn’t it make you feel special? The personal touch says I admire you and want to work with you in a way that a business card, new business proposal or power point presentation can’t match.

Here’s a quick recap of my unforgettable self-promotion techniques:

• Shameless self-promotion tip 1) Build genuine rapport first, and then promote yourself. Seek to connect with a new business lead on a personal level through a common interest. Ask for their information after you make a genuine connection…not one minute before.
• Shameless self-promotion tip 2) Volunteer your services to expand your marketing reach. Promote yourself and your accomplishments via your resume, press releases, community newsletter, newspaper and social networks.
• Shameless self-promotion tip 3) Specialize. Specialize. Specialize. Jills of all trades are out of style. Announce your specialty with a one line marketing introduction that separates you from the competition, and shows your unique personality. Kick your self promotion expertise into gear with a memorable statement that is unforgettable.
• Shameless self-promotion tip 4) Blogging is a great way to promote yourself. You deserve a place to control your own marketing message and image. The web can take a marketing manager in Albuquerque and connect her with a client in Tokyo instantly.
• Shameless self-promotion tip 5) The personal touch distinguishes the ordinary from the extraordinary. Show a new client or prospect that you care beyond email and text messages. Promote yourself with a special hand written note or token of appreciation for new or existing prospects.

You’ve worked hard career superstar to achieve success. So go ahead, I give you permission to toot that horn. Every accomplishment, struggle and achievement deserves its place in the sun.

Follow these shameless self-promotion tips and you’ll promote yourself beautifully while still remaining delightfully unforgettable.

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This entry was posted on Friday, September 15th, 2006 at 4:49 pm and is filed under Career Advancement, Career Counseling, Career Information, Career Planning. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.