Few of us have the money and probably fewer have the desire to put on the kind of self-promoting hour on ESPN that LeBron James recently did. Nor do most of us wish to be a part of the “strut-your-stuff,” WWE-esque self-promotion put on by the so-called “Three Kings” of the Miami Heat after LeBron’s announcement. Even Amar’e Stoudemire, formerly of the Phoenix Suns and rarely one to be afraid to let an audience know about his great basketball talents, went to the New York Knicks in a relatively subdued manner, in comparison. But isn’t self-promotion necessary in today’s world?
A large percentage of professions use self-promotion to achieve their goals. The trick is to be sure that the self-promotion isn’t so outrageous that it turns others off. Many of us use Facebook. Twitter, and/or LinkedIn to keep in touch with others and, often times, to promote what it is we are doing. There is nothing wrong with that. Tastefully crafted bits of information about our endeavors can help us to promote our activities and our businesses while letting others know about products and services that may be of interest to them. Even major corporations ask us to join THEM on Facebook. Recently, Chili’s offered extra chances to will a one-thousand-dollar prize by joining them on Facebook. They are not alone. Most stick to being tasteful in their use of social media and other promotional strategies.
It’s the outrageous self-promotion that can turn against us. Braggadocio is not the tool for capturing an audience that might actually care about what products or services one has to offer. Neither is the screaming (or flaming, on the Internet) such as that which accompanies many of the TV advertisements we see for a variety of products. Yes, those products sell, but people have been so unhappy with the screaming pitchmen that lawmakers are working to outlaw such elevations of volume when advertising.
Let’s face facts. Just a couple of decades ago, self-promotion was viewed by many as shameful and the people who engaged in the practice were often disliked. The use of social media today, however, and the ability to more readily advertise and promote products and services via a number of varied channels have made self-promotion more of a necessity in today’s world. So, the idea is no longer to avoid self-promotion, but today we want to accomplish our self-promotion in ways that are generally accepted and tasteful. Outrageous may attract the attention of those who subscribe to the tabloids, but those people are often not the targets of our promotional activities. There still seems to be a place for (and a healthy degree of respect for) humility while self-promoting.
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Comments
Shameless self-promotion IS necessary! I agree, however- it should be tastefully done. How? By making sure you're aggressively promoting the value you offer to others and avoiding the unsubstantiated bragging that turns people off.
The reason self-promotion is so necessary is that so many of us are working for ourselves! As speakers and authors, most of us run very small operations. It's important that promotion be a constant part of that effort.
Substantive self-promotion is not the craft for the weak. When you believe in your message others perceive your promotion as a sign of confidence. After all, if you don't believe you can deliver why would you expect anyone else to buy what you're selling?
Toot your own horn! Just make sure you're blowing a true note!
Best thoughts!
Jim
America's Black Belt Mindset Master; I'll teach you how to Think Like a Black Belt! (How's that for self-promotion?) :)
Great article- I agree, it is a matter of promoting yourself without overkill.
Great article and interesting observations relative to human behavior. The article also confirmed what I have suspected about TV advertising and the pitchmen...they do elevate volume for their advertising. I hope lawmakers outlaw that frustrating crap! The sooner, the better as far as I'm concerned!! It should've never been allowed in the first place.
LeBron went so far over the top, it was a total turn-off - and hurt people along the way. The best form of self-promotion happens when you provide people with information that educates and informs, and helps them achieve their own goals.
Hi,
Hello,
Nice article. I agree with you that self promotion is not a bad thing but if conducted in a well planned manner then it will prove very beneficial. Thanks for the post
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Nothing is an ABSOLUTE RIGHT or ABSOLUTE WRONG, it all realtes to your sensibility and evaluation parameters and also your prespective to the issue. Self promotion over a certain issue may be acceptable to some and repulsive to others. So branding a promotion as Shameless is a Encroaching others/ promoters Freedom. We live in a free world Please let there be freedom of expression atleast self expression.
RGds
RR
Self promotion is absolutely necessary. I think the "shameless" quality is subjective. In the past (when supposedly we didn't like such behavior) those who did it got rich--despite the public distaste for such actions. Now in a super competitive global market those who don't promote are lost and forgotten. Some people have difficulty getting past the "don't brag" advice of their parents and so don't get the business they deserve. This is one of those crossroads between the human psyche and the bankbook. And yes I do work with entrepreneurs on this issue www.karensouthallwatts.com and I'm not ashamed to say so. ;-)
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