How to Self Promote Without Feeling Icky

Newsflash friend, women don’t like to ask for help and they don’t like to toot their own horn. If you think that’s a blanket statement coming out of left field or just a few popular opinions, they’re proven facts. If you were to do a Google search right now, you would be met with literally hundreds of studies, books, blog posts, TED Talks and other media speaking to the these very issues with the statistics to back them up. So, imagine as business owners, how incredibly weighed down we can often feel by just the mere thought of self promotion?

Ultimately, it just feels icky, right? It’s where the two worlds of fear collide- asking for help and tooting your own horn!

You want your business to flourish and that means getting it out in front of the people who need what you have to offer. In reality, it’s your job to help build trust in your brand by showcasing how great it really is. So, let’s get comfortable in shouting both of those things from the rooftop!

You’re Providing Value, Not Asking for Help

It’s not about screaming for sales and asking for the spotlight, it’s about showing your the unique value that your product or service bring to the table. One of my favorite quotes to remember here is, “be a resource, not a sales pitch.”

It feels like the whole world is selling at us sometimes, right? From radio ads to billboards to Facebook ads and junk mail filled with advertisements taking up space in your mailbox!  That means your message has to be something your customer cares about to begin with in order to really make an impact on them. When you are promoting your business really focus on the value of what you do and what problems you are the solution for. This will help alleviate that uncomfortable “salesy” feeling we all dislike so much and instead remind you that you are doing a service by letting others know about you and your brand.

Embrace Who You Are and Be Her

There is so much pressure for small businesses to compete with the big box stores, corporations, and even their fellow mom & pop brands today. It can make it easy to forget that there is something special on our side; the power to be ourselves!

YOU are the CEO of your business, girl. So get comfortable making moves based on who you are, not who you think the world needs you to be. One of the largest benefits to having your own business, is being in the front seat and allowing yourself to show up authentically under the brand identity you want to put out into the world. What makes your business and product shine is the unique perspective and characteristics that you pour into it everyday. People like to buy from other people, so show up as who you are every step of the way. When you market yourself and start to feel that overwhelm sink in, remind yourself that being exactly who you are is your most beneficial tool. Your best customers will connect with you and see the value of what you offer.

Master the Balancing Act of Marketing

You don’t have to scream about your business from a mountain top to be heard. It can sometimes feel like you do, but I promise there is something to be said about finding a happy balance between promoting and preparing. Remember that every single thing you do in your business should be done with purpose and intention.

When you have a new service launching or a product sale coming up, promote your brand and dive into your marketing across all of your resources. Make sure to pause in between those large promotional moments and prepare your existing audience and potential customers alike, by curating connection and trust. That means you can step back from feeling like you’re self promoting and share things in-person or on your website, social media,and other platforms that let your audience connect with you. This is where you can share more behind-the-scenes looks at your business, origin stories of your brand, favorite ways to use your product, testimonials from previous clients, and any other piece of your story that will help foster connection. At the end of the day, that’s what promoting your business is all about- connecting with the customers who feel connected to you and what you sell.

Let’s all agree to stop feeling weird about self promotion

Instead remember that the products you make and the services you provide are needed by the world and how dare you stand in the way of getting them out there to the people who need them.

I want to challenge you right now to think of ONE thing you can start promoting in your business. It can be a special sale or discount you’re offering, a media feature, your etsy shop, or an email list you’re trying to build! Choose that one thing and share about it with someone you see today or on your social media account. I’d love to hear what that something is and how it felt sharing so head over to my Instagram and send me a DM or leave me a short message right here.