I have to.
OK, no one likes a bragger, but as a marketer, I am in the business of "bragging".
I need to find creative ways to make my clients look good to the right people.
One of the things I hear often in my Marketing Consultations is, "I have a hard time talking about myself and my accomplishments, it feels like bragging."
So then, how are you to write the About page on your website or your LinkedIn profile if you aren't going to brag?
I need to find creative ways to make my clients look good to the right people.
One of the things I hear often in my Marketing Consultations is, "I have a hard time talking about myself and my accomplishments, it feels like bragging."
So then, how are you to write the About page on your website or your LinkedIn profile if you aren't going to brag?
Are you really bragging?
Let's look at the definition
Brag: say in a boastful manner.
Boast: talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.
Is bragging really bad?
Notice that there is nothing in the above definitions about lying. Bragging is not lying. Exaggerating is lying. Lying is lying.
It may be selfish to have excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's personal life, but is it the same thing when you are talking about your business?
Is there a way to brag without the swag?
The thing that annoys people the most is the arrogant swagger that goes along with boasting.
But, what if you were conveying confidence instead of arrogance?
Displaying confidence is not the same thing as boasting.
confidence:
How to display confidence without boasting
Don't downplay yourself or your services
People are looking for you to be confident that you can deliver.
Pretend you were going to hire a nanny; would you entrust your children to the applicant that said, "I'm pretty sure I could keep track of your three children all of the time", OR... would you prefer the one that said, "oh, that would be no problem, I have watched more children than that before. I've learned to turn down my cell phone and focus my attention on the kids... even do head counts every 15 minutes."
Do share your bio, accomplishments
People need to feel like they know you to trust you - when people trust you they will pay for your services.
You don't need to over-share with irrelevant certifications, or write an autobiography, but don't leave out accomplishments, experience or schooling that applies. Share them with certitude.
Get other people to brag for you
Now is not the time to be timid, owning your own business means you have money on the line and time to be invested. Don't be afraid to ask others for testimonials when you know you did a good job. You will find they will almost always be happy to oblige.
How to start bragging
Try this exercise:
Think of one thing that you are really proud of... one thing that you know you have done right.
How would you tell someone you wanted to date about that?
How would you tell someone in an interview about that?
Start writing your Home and About page of your website with each of these scenarios in mind.
Pick the voice that fits YOU the best.
Your website is being courted and having interviews potentially hundreds of times a day.
It's time to start bragging.
Let's look at the definition
Brag: say in a boastful manner.
Boast: talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.
Is bragging really bad?
Notice that there is nothing in the above definitions about lying. Bragging is not lying. Exaggerating is lying. Lying is lying.
It may be selfish to have excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's personal life, but is it the same thing when you are talking about your business?
Is there a way to brag without the swag?
The thing that annoys people the most is the arrogant swagger that goes along with boasting.
But, what if you were conveying confidence instead of arrogance?
Displaying confidence is not the same thing as boasting.
confidence:
- full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing.
- belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance.
How to display confidence without boasting
Don't downplay yourself or your services
People are looking for you to be confident that you can deliver.
Pretend you were going to hire a nanny; would you entrust your children to the applicant that said, "I'm pretty sure I could keep track of your three children all of the time", OR... would you prefer the one that said, "oh, that would be no problem, I have watched more children than that before. I've learned to turn down my cell phone and focus my attention on the kids... even do head counts every 15 minutes."
Do share your bio, accomplishments
People need to feel like they know you to trust you - when people trust you they will pay for your services.
You don't need to over-share with irrelevant certifications, or write an autobiography, but don't leave out accomplishments, experience or schooling that applies. Share them with certitude.
Get other people to brag for you
Now is not the time to be timid, owning your own business means you have money on the line and time to be invested. Don't be afraid to ask others for testimonials when you know you did a good job. You will find they will almost always be happy to oblige.
How to start bragging
Try this exercise:
Think of one thing that you are really proud of... one thing that you know you have done right.
How would you tell someone you wanted to date about that?
How would you tell someone in an interview about that?
Start writing your Home and About page of your website with each of these scenarios in mind.
Pick the voice that fits YOU the best.
Your website is being courted and having interviews potentially hundreds of times a day.
It's time to start bragging.