Marketing vs Self-Promotion
So, how do you even start promoting your business without feeling like you're being self-absorbed? That's been on my mind this past week. Some of you might think, "But you're always talking about yourself!" Yeah, but it's different. When you live alone and have no one to share your wins, funny moments, or cool adventures with, it might seem like that's all I do when we hang out. I'm just catching you up on things, not trying to sell myself. It's tough finding that balance of promoting without coming off like a pushy salesperson. If I really think about it, there could be a few reasons why I feel hesitant about marketing, sales, or promotion. One of them could be insecurities.
Feelings of inadequacy are a common experience in various aspects of life, such as skill, relationships, or knowledge. It is often suggested that one should not feel inadequate, but this notion should be discarded. It is natural to feel inadequate, and dwelling on this feeling can lead to a distorted self-perception and influence our responses. While it is possible to be surrounded by individuals who excel in certain areas, it does not diminish one's own worth. By recognizing and valuing both our abilities and self-worth, we can confidently navigate such situations while maintaining our own sense of merit.
Another possible contributing factor may be the fear of rejection. Despite its prevalence, individuals often avoid discussing this issue with their friends or trusted individuals, opting to internalize it instead. Acknowledging a fear of rejection while simultaneously grappling with that very fear presents a paradoxical challenge. To conquer fear, one must confront it directly and engage in the actions that trigger anxiety. Drawing inspiration from acquaintances who have successfully tackled their fear of heights by traversing rope bridges, or in my case, by riding intense roller coasters with my sister, serves as a testament to the transformative power of facing one's fears. Upon confronting the feared activity, individuals often discover that the perceived difficulty was exaggerated in their minds. This principle extends to self-promotion as well. By disregarding anticipated reactions and simply sharing promotional content, reaching out to potential clients via email or contacting leads through text messages gradually becomes more manageable with each one.
To follow my own advice, here are my strengths as they relate to the three areas of services listed on my website.
Smartsheet Consulting. Over the past five years, I have built solutions, workflows, dashboards, and many other projects for my work, which triggered the company's growth from a handful of users to over 2k collaborators. In this timeframe, I have become a Smartsheet Community Leader and Overachiever. I carry certifications in Core App, Project Management, and System Administrator. While I am confident of my skillset within this platform, I continually learn and develop my knowledge base. The consultant work is not part of my current employment but is handled outside of my working hours and set up on a contractual basis.
Propresenter Consulting. While unfamiliar with the software's installation, I am skilled at navigating and setting up libraries, playlists, themes, and other items needed for presentations in meetings, concerts, and church services. One of my favorite things to do when setting up a new system or even overhauling a current one is the training done with the production team. As a former teacher, I love watching others grasp concepts they can use to build their setup. This also is not part of my current employment and is handled outside of my regular working hours on a contractual basis.
Health Coach. Even though I do not have a nutrition or physical education degree, I have tried every diet, fad, and plan known to man! I have finally realized that a well-balanced diet and exercise are how you maintain good health. Natural supplements are needed to keep our systems balanced and healthy. As a woman in my 50s, I am not on prescription medicine, have no diseases, and exercise several days a week. Even though I'm not in peak physical condition, I consistently train to get there. One of the things I've learned throughout the years is that this is best done in Community! We need each other to keep us motivated and challenged. This is where I come in.
Here is my confident and respectful sales pitch. Through introspection this week, I have gained valuable insights about myself. I know I am in rooms where I don't belong, yet I have been given the opportunity to be there for a purpose I intend to make the most of. I challenge you to follow my lead and gain insights for yourself. See if there are fears you need to conquer, wrong perceptions you've accepted about yourself, or areas in your physical health that need to be changed. If so, you know where to find me. Let's do this together!
Until Next Time,
DJ
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