Don't start a business.

I know a few people who start businesses and feel bad about promoting them.

They tell me, “I hate self-promoting. It feels so cheesy, like I’m annoying people with so many promotions.”

My answer to them is always the same, “OK, next time don’t start a business. Take up a new hobby. It’s a lot easier and you don’t have to promote it at all.”

Harsh? Maybe.

True? Definitely.

Think of it this way, if you were a plumber and a customer said, “Can you fix my toilet?” You wouldn’t reply, “I don’t like to talk about what I do or how I can help people. It feels too self promotional.”

Instead you’d tell them exactly how you can fix their toilet because you’re a good plumber!

Are there ways to be too promotional and hurt your audience? Without a doubt. We all have friends that promote their dream so often they alienate everyone. This happens so often in publishing I’ve started coaching other authors on how to market books. Why am I doing this? Because I learned a lot when my last book hit the New York Times Bestsellers list. Turns out I’m a good plumber.

If you believe in your business, book, dream, etc. you better start promoting it.

If you think it’s something that will help people, quit denying that help out of some sort of false humility.

Otherwise, get busy on your hobby.

P.S. Every week, I share one idea like this for entrepreneurs for free. Sign up here to make sure you don't miss the next one.

Jeramie McPeek

Social media consultant & keynote speaker

7 年

Great insight, as always Jon!

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Paul Stippich

Fresh Export Sales at Tip Top Poultry - Helping feed the world one meal at a time.

7 年

This post really makes you think before you take another step towards your potential future. It also makes you really figure out how serious you are about what value you can offer.

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? Sami Ur Rehman Khan

Teller Customer Service at Al Ansari Exchange

7 年

I am 100% Agreed with you point of view Jon. This is a tremendous post. It got me thinking a lot. There's much to be said for sharing great business ideas and experiences so we can all learn from each other. I've got something for you in return. It's a book I was tipped off about which has rocked the CEO world and by that I mean it's been read in over 43 countries, people reporting back that after using the material they have tripled their sales as well as massive boosts in their personal life. I got my hands on a special link to get it for free for a limited time only https://bit.ly/2svzHHB Hope it gives you the edge - sorry if it's not available anymore by the time you see this.

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James R. Mayhew

The Coach for Founders :: The RIGHT PEOPLE doing the RIGHT THINGS, all moving in the RIGHT DIRECTION ?? Get your FREE Thriving Culture Guide | ?? (319) 929-2604 | FOLLOWER?, Husband, Dad, Grandpa

7 年

#bam

Jerry K.

Client Relationships | Kolbe A Index 6-3-9-1

7 年

First thing I do when I start a company is send out a press release and get media exposure. That way it's the media promoting my activities. Yes I still network on a personal level too. Add leveraging other sources to a larger audience at the same time to help in business promotion - and it speeds up revenue traction.

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