Shouting about your achievements comes easily to some, but can be an uncomfortable challenge akin to committing a heinous crime to others. The art of self-promotion can very much rest of the wilfulness of an individual to put themselves out there and tell the world, or at least the little sphere their world represents, just how great they think they are. So in actuality, PR-ing yourself may have little to do with skill and more to do with a determination and drive to be considered and treated as a success story.
Now, I must stop myself here, just for a short breath before continuing. You see that paragraph above is irrefutably spoken like a true, contrite Brit. But let’s go back to that in a moment.
I recently had an interesting conversation with the owner of a design agency. Now, although this agency has built up an impressive portfolio of work, he felt uncomfortable at finding the words to promote his achievements. The task was just beyond him, and I’m not talking about skill, although he is a designer and not a writer. It had more to do with an inability to find the words to big himself up.
I have to say that I empathise with him on this point. No matter what your line of work, an ability to self-promote is imperative. In fact, it’s a staple skill for most jobs, and as a business it can build on your brand’s stature and win you precious new business. But I have to say; it can be an undeniably grim prospect when it comes to promoting your own work and skills.
I’ve often wondered about my own anxiety in PR-ing myself. Somewhere along the line I’ve linked the prospect of sharing my achievements to experiences of listening to shameless braggers; people who talk a big game to hide their ineffectuality. I’m sure that all of us can think of an example of someone who does this, either from past or present. Or maybe it’s simply a cultural thing. It’s very British in a stereotypical-kind-of-way to remain foppish and demure about our achievements. What me – oh that little thing? Oh no, it was nothing really. All in a day’s work. That sort of thing.
But being able to communicate your accomplishments, strengths and talents is an essential aspect for all businesses. Whether it’s just you, working for a company and looking to get ahead, to the business owner going out there to attract a new win. It’s not enough to allude to it; it needs to be skilfully communicated on websites, through any direct marketing activity, on social media. These are just some of the environments to not only share your work and triumphs, but they are also forums to PR yourself and shout about what you’re good at. And therein, perhaps lies the key. Using the channels available to you but also tactfully and deftly talking about what you have to offer rather than coming off like a phoney who’s consumed too many espressos before 9am and is ready to explode with smugness in your face. Assuming one can spontaneously combust of smugness of course.
Now, I confess, my brain still short-circuits at the prospect of saying what I’m good at, what I’ve done well and where my strengths lie. It’s a guttural reaction thing. But I love to talk other people up, both inside and outside of working life. I can quite easily chat about someone else achievements. Perhaps that’s why I’m a copywriter. And in a quintessential British way, it’s also far easier to confidently big someone else up, rather than yourself.
