How to sell yourself

Do you know how to sell yourself and your business? The key is to be happy promoting who you are, what you do and be clear on the benefits of doing business with you.

I now live in a regional location and to help me fit in I watched and listened to other small business people who have lived and worked in the region. I was told “You need to blend in, not make waves, build relationships, don’t bring your city attitude to the country." One person even told me my clothes made me stand out and showed I wasn’t a “local”.

Regardless, when I first moved I attended meetings dressed in a business suit with all the trimmings. Often I would call into the shopping centre on the way back to the office to collect my mail from the post office, where people looked at me as if I had two or three heads. I immediately thought I must change the way I dress because I don’t fit.

And, what did I do? I did as I was told and got exactly what I deserved. My self-esteem slipped when business was extremely slow to get off the ground, despite being in business for 16 years, my professionalism faltered and even the smallest problem seemed to be as big as Mount Everest.

No more. Self-promotion isn’t about fitting someone else’s mould, it is about promoting you and what makes you different from the rest. You want to stand out from the crowd, be a leader, not a follower; set the trend, and where you think it is appropriate, buck the system.

Think of self-promotion as your own personal branding exercise. If you were helping a client with branding products or services, you wouldn’t advise the client to have a mediocre logo, plain grey anything, be small and insignificant. No, you would want your client to be the best in that particular industry. In the first place it makes the company feel good and secondly, it boosts your self-esteem and reputation.

Strange how we don’t usually give ourselves the same respect as we show to our clients.

Go out there, promote yourself; show people why you’re different and why they should do business with you. Set the trend and watch while your competitors scurry around to catch up.

What do you have to lose?

Barb Clews is a skilled copywriter and editor. She writes in plain language and believes material for print and the web should be clear, concise and user-friendly.

7 comments | Add your own

I cannot agree more.
Looking inside and seeing/understanding what we are all about is what matters!
This will ultimately make the difference.
This is when we know our actions are inspired and we have the capacity to inspire our clients.
And it feels good. Astrid McCormick from Mid North Coast Australia
Go Barb - LOUD AND PROUD !! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
What a great point! We live in a culture where self- promotion is translated too easily into self- aggrandisement. Marianne Wilkenson sums it up perfectly and Nelson Mandela borrowed her words when he spoke of daring to shine brightly and not mute our individuality for the sake of others feeling comfortable. She puts it so well and I find her words useful to read every so often to remind me that healthy self-expression is ok! I may have mispelt her name but her words are easily accessible on the net.
Jon Hardy
Jonathan Hardy from Sydney
Great article - thanks Barb! Elle McCarthy from Bondi, Australia.
I can relate very well. I moved to the city from the country and have encountered the same, yet, in reverse. I despise the business magazines that tell us how we should dress. These articles seem to be written by inner city dwellers who don't know how to relax. Di Case from Sydney
Barb not only get's it right, but gives away a well kept PR secret. It's not that complicated, neither the most sophisticated that wins. Rather, the bold, the brave and the those unafraid to let their light shine. Great read. Catherine White from Balgowlay, NSW Australia
I condone Barb's emphasis on belief in self. However, we shouldn't overlook the fact that a very real component of provincialism in business practice is local protectionism whereby chambers of commerce, local tourist bodies and other organisations act on almost familial principles. Tacit agreements, and established pecking orders can act to preserve the status quo and to protect the interests of the big fish who enjoy their dominance of the small pond. Sure, you should throw down the gauntlet, challenge the vested interest but the last thing you should expect is a fair fight! David M Bisset from Ruse, Bulgaria

7 comments | Add your own

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