Self-Promoting Without Being A Burden
Whether you’re looking for a new job, highlighting your latest project, or sharing your noteworthy deeds, chances are you’ll want to promote your accomplishments online. Self-promoting is great, but if you go about it the wrong way, you’ll earn animosity!
“In today’s business world, self-promotion is indispensable. It is the key to landing a new job, securing a client or running a business altogether.” –Nancy Marshall, Forbes
Promoting yourself is crucial, but going about it the wrong way will come across as obnoxious, annoying, or bragging. If you want to make sure your accomplishments are being noticed, and noticed in a good way, stay true to these vital thoughts as you craft your posts.
Don’t spam
While this first tip may seem obvious, sometimes, you get excited and want to shout your accomplishments to the world. But resist the urge and make sure to choose your moments wisely.
Mike Ghaffary, general partner at Canvas Ventures, recommends reading more than you post, the online version of “listen more than you speak.” You’ll gain a broader view of how others post about their accomplishments and you can learn to mirror the well-forged posts.
Find the right channel
More than just not screaming your legend into the void, you need to find the right channel to promote yourself. Make sure to truly understand the tools at your disposal and use them correctly. Take advantage of tools like company newsletters and choose the right, appropriate time during a meeting,
Author Meredith Fineman suggests three primary online spots to list your accomplishments: your LinkedIn biography, your website and social media profiles, and your email signature. These are places where your accomplishments would be expected to be found and come across as organic. Your LinkedIn “About Me” in particular is one of the best marketing tools at your disposal. Make sure to use it wisely!
But coach Kim Neeson warns about overly selling yourself on social media. Try to use those profiles to add to a conversation rather than to solely advertise.
Focus on results
Now that you know when and where to promote, what should the content look like?
Fast Company’s Dina Smith says to stay focused on the facts. By focusing on the tangible outcomes and how they relate to important adjectives, you’ll not only show that you’re credible, but your accomplishments will seem factual and honest. You aren’t bragging when you’re stating indisputable facts.
“Like how you might write a résumé’s bullet points, briefly state what you accomplished, or contributed, and the impact or results of your efforts.” -Dina Smith
The Muse’s Anne Libby says that good self-promotion isn’t just about you. When you focus on these facts, you’re making the entire organization—and your bosses—look good.
Build credibility
The more you accomplish, naturally, you’ll be viewed as an expert in your field of choice. But that doesn’t just mean bragging about your accomplishments.
TopResume’s Tyler Omoth suggests becoming an industry expert by engaging with others on social media and commenting and sharing their posts. By joining the dialogue, and not just pushing your points, you can add your own credibility and value to posts. Soon, others may turn to you for your expertise and find your accomplishments organically.
“Beyond the virtual world, you can promote yourself as an expert by writing or speaking about your area of expertise. Industry publications and websites often need contributors—check out the guidelines for the ones in your field, and propose a topic or submit an article.” –Anne Libby
Intoo’s Caroline Vernon adds not to actually call yourself an expert, though. Calling yourself an expert makes it appear that you believe you have nothing more to learn and becomes braggy again. Show, don’t tell. Find ways to add value and help share your knowledge rather than announce it.
Share the credit
The best way to promote your accomplishments and gain positive notice is to make sure to elevate everyone on your team that helped. If you’re taking credit for the work of others or hogging the spotlight, you’ll turn your audience off.
“By offering support after completing your work, you demonstrate your proficiency at accomplishing important job tasks, and you can also have the opportunity to assist coworkers with your unique knowledge and skills.” –Indeed
Dina Smith says that by elevating others you appear authentic while also showing appreciation and generosity. These are the kinds of traits you want to be noticed for. Not only will your accomplishments be noted, but you’ll appear as a great team member people want to work with—providing more opportunities for great accomplishments.
Wrap up
If you’ve followed the above strategies, you’ll position yourself in a positive light without going overboard. By choosing the right time and place, showing that you can provide value without bragging, and using your space to elevate others, you’ll be noticed in a positive light!
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