Self-promotion can be a tricky thing. On the one hand, you want to showcase your accomplishments and skills to others, but on the other hand, you don’t want to come off as arrogant or full of yourself. This is true in a private setting and at work, whether you are an employees, a self-employed service provider, or simply a friend, or family member. Luckily, there are some guidelines you can follow to promote yourself humbly and authentically.
Firstly, authenticity is key.
It’s important to be honest and genuine about your accomplishments. Don’t make up stories or exaggerate your achievements, as this can turn into a disaster if you’re caught out. Plus, being authentic is far more impressive than a false image of yourself.
Focus on the value you bring to others.
Rather than just talking about your accomplishments for the sake of it, focus on how they can benefit others. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, talk about how your designs have helped clients to increase visibility or attract new customers. This shows that you understand how your skills create results, and can make a difference.
Use humble and inclusive language.
Make sure you use language that acknowledges the contributions of others and shows that you are part of a team. Share credit and collaborate with others, as this shows that you are a team player and can work well with others.
Show, don’t tell
Rather than just talking about your accomplishments, it’s important to show them. This can be done by providing evidence. For example, if you’ve won an award, showcase the work that earned you that award or share the testimonial from a happy customer. This helps to make your achievements more tangible and demonstrates your expertise.
Use humor and storytelling
This is a great way to showcase your accomplishments in a more engaging and relatable way. This can help to build rapport with others and make self-promotion more memorable and effective. Just make sure that the humor is appropriate and not offensive.
Be strategic and intentional about your self-promotion.
Think about your goals and tailor your self-promotion to your audience and context. For example, if you’re promoting yourself on LinkedIn, your tone may be more professional than if you’re promoting yourself on TikTok. Think about the best way to reach your target audience and how you can stand out in their minds.
Now, let’s talk about some things to avoid when self-promoting.
Avoid using language that makes you sound superior or boastful. Don’t put others down or make negative comments about them, as this can damage your relationships with others.
While it’s important to be proactive, don’t pressure others to recognize your accomplishments. This can come across as rude or aggressive, and it’s not a good look. Instead, focus on how you can help others.
Don’t lose sight of the big picture. Avoid getting so caught up in promoting your individual accomplishments that you lose sight of the broader objectives of your organization or community.
And lastly, avoid self-promoting excessively. While self-promotion can be effective, it’s important to balance it with other forms of communication and relationship-building.
Self-promotion doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
By following these guidelines, you can promote yourself humbly and authentically. So go out there and show the world what you’re capable of!
Main Image by Guille Álvarez via unsplash