Have you written a resume? Have you been interviewed for a job? Then
you've promoted yourself. Is that tooting your own horn? Not if you are stating
facts.
Insight - Learn early what your strengths are and
practice talking about you so that it can appear natural and easy.
“Tooting your horn” is a maxim that carries a negative connotation,
boastful and exaggerated. As a writer, I've struggled with being modest versus
appearing boastful. Publishing is a world where authors create bios about
themselves that are required to be compelling and interesting. It's part of the
pitch. How else would someone learn about me and use that information to decide
if he wants to buy my book? Just as I would not be drawn to an insipid artist
or writer, I must not come across as insipid or irrelevant. (Photo credit: Loud Megaphone by
Sitting across from prospective job candidates, I've said to many,
"This is not the time to be modest. Tell me why you are better than the
rest. Tell me why I should hire you."
I reminded myself of the expectations of promoting myself when I started
writing. Uncomfortable as it was at first, I caught on quickly and learned that
if I was to show I was competent, I needed to publicize myself concisely and
confidently.
Insight: If you've studied, you've done the work
and you have achieved, no one can tell the world about it better than you can.
There is however, a grey area between self-promotion and bragging. No
one likes a bragger but everyone wants someone who has confidence.
Insight: Bragging is accompanied by arrogance.
Self-promotion offers evidence that allows others to conclude that one is
capable, and is accompanied by humility.
It is a fact that we are born with gifts, whether of music, art or plain
ol' gab. Regardless of what we are born
with, I've discovered that most things can be learned.
Insight: Success is not about being gifted. Anyone
can learn strategies to aid in success.
Howard Gardner, an American psychologist, recognized Multiple
Intelligences. The theory holds that people possess different kinds of
intellectual strengths and that these strengths are critical in how we learn,
understand and express ourselves.
… ( some lines from original are removed here)
What do you aspire to? What holds you back? What education or training
will help you overcome the drawbacks? Anyone can be trained to be effective.
Don't be discouraged if someone else can do something better than you can.
There is enough space in the world for all of us to fill and fit, so prepare to
claim your spot.
The work you do is more important than the title you hold. You don't
have to be a marketer to get your books out there. You don't have to be the
chief chef in order for others to enjoy the sandwich you’ve made. You don't
have to belong to Maid Services to clean an office. But you can use marketing
strategies and preparation tips to get word of your book, sandwich or cleaning abilities
out there to others.
Get yourself noticed by taking a strong stand. Don't be afraid to be
opinionated. Make others talk about you. You may not be liked by everyone but
you will not get lost in the crowd either.
(... some lines from original are removed here)
A voice that belonged to the one described as the Beginning and the End.
The Alpha and the Omega. And He gave instructions throughout the process of
idea to publication. He opened doors to the media and the market. He taught me
how to promote myself, to become a specialist at me, to learn from His school
with me as the only student. Private tutelage from Heaven. And I succeeded from
every cardinal point on earth, all the time recognizing that the true promotion
came from above.
But I must do my part, knowing that it's in quietness and in confidence
that I draw my strength. My books were picked up by a larger publisher within a
year of hitting the market. The Lord placed the right combination of learning
abilities in me. He trained me for His glory, through both formal classes in
theology and from whispers to my spirit when I was alone with Him. And for this
I say:
TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT
THINGS HE HAS DONE FOR ME.
Humble yourselves in the sight of
the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10
(An excerpt
from 10 ½ Sketches: Insights On Being
Successful Right Where You Are. Contains over 85 insights to build success.
( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RNV3P10 )
Susan
Harris owes her successes to the Lord. On breezy islands or freezing prairies,
she has thrived because of the insights she lays out in her latest book, 10 ½ Sketches. She is the author of six
books and has also contributed articles to blogs, magazines and anthologies. 
3 comments:
Thanks, Susan, for sharing your bravery in marketing and promotion with us. This is a good, encouraging excerpt from your book that will be valuable for those who tend to need assurance that promotion is not bragging. I will admit that it is a weakness of mine. I am good at promoting others, but I hesitate when it becomes about me. I understand the importance of my resume, etc., but when it comes to 'product' that's a totally different kettle of fish. Great food for thought and consideration.
Thanks Susan. Your determinate passion, dauntless courage and deep conviction gained through experience, shine in this article. I've been slow to learn in the areas of marketing and promotion, and have hardly begun.
I really appreciate your scriptural base and spiritual application. I agree wholeheartedly with Glynis - "Great food for thought and consideration"! ~~+~~
I can attest that you are great about promoting others, Glynis. You are a natural marketer and now needs to turn the focus on you. Use the same parameters that guide your promoting others. Transfer the concept of your resume to your product, because that is what it boils down to. Thanks for your transparency and support. And Peter, now is a good time to start :-). Unlike Remarkably Ordinary: 20 Reflections On Living Intentionally Right Where You Are, which alludes to my faith but does not play it out directly, 10 1/2 Sketches is blatantly faith-driven. It felt hypocritical to write a book about success without bringing in the Lord since He is the source of any success I experience.
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