Learn how to share your good news with these 7 habits (even if you're an introvert)

Most people acknowledge that good self-marketing is essential. However, even when the awareness is there, the question of “how” often remains unanswered: what do I actually need to do if I want to promote myself? Well, here’s the answer.

Do you adhere to the motto that “modesty is a virtue”? That‘s a shame. And it does you a disservice. Because those who perform in silence risk going unnoticed. It‘s not by accident that false modesty is among the top 10 career killers.

It requires tact to praise oneself. The challenge is to talk about your own successes without bragging.

Follow the 7 habits outlined below and you‘ll learn how to become a top-notch self-promoter – in a sensitive, winning way:

#1 – Be pleased with your successes

If you‘re obviously happy about your successes, others will automatically become aware of them. For example, during a coffee break, say radiant with joy: “My product presentation this morning went really well. What a great start to the day!”

Tip

Make it a habit to tell somebody else something positive about yourself or your performance every day.

#2 – Highlight your contribution

Show others what you‘ve contributed to a positive outcome. Inform your boss as follows: “I have good news: Mrs. Smith has just awarded us the contract for the project. I was afraid that our quote was too expensive, so I phoned her again last week and explained the benefits of our offer to her, which convinced her.”

#3 – Do it regularly

Inform your boss regularly about your completed tasks: “I‘d just like to bring you up to speed on the status of the FIT project. Despite the server crash, we were able to complete the testing on time and stay on schedule.”

Or talk about planned activities – in such a way that your counterpart benefits from them: “Our annual sales conference is in three months and for the first time, I‘m responsible for organizing it. Do you have any requests with regard to the conference that I should consider?

Tip

Speak confidently about yourself and your performance and avoid phrases that play down your performance. Say: “I‘ve succeeded with this!” rather than: “I believe I‘ve succeeded with this.”

#4 – Do it in writing

To avoid having to constantly bother your boss with success stories or in the event that you rarely see them, you can also inform them of your successes in writing. Send an e-mail to report your successes. Keep it brief and focus on your key achievements. Less is more.

#5 – Seek feedback

The fact that things are running well is taken for granted and rarely consciously perceived by superiors or clients. In order to make them aware of my good work, I can specifically elicit feedback: “Are you satisfied with the way the project is progressing?” That way, the other person has to consciously consider the project‘s development.

If you suspect your boss doesn‘t know that you‘ve helped to organize this year‘s conference, ask them at some point during the day: “Are you happy with the way things are going?” Explain to them then that you‘re responsible for organizing the conference:

“I‘m pleased as well that everything‘s going so smoothly. It was a challenge to plan the day to fit in all the contributors.”

#6 – Be present - offline and online

Boost your awareness and enhance your reputation by playing an active part at offline or online conferences and business meetings (don’t be just there as a “consumer”) and speak up when your subject is discussed.

Tip

Write articles for trade journals or the company newsletter – not only demonstrating competence and commitment to your company, but also keeping yourself top of mind.

#7 – Be prepared

Random encounters with key people can occur at any time – in the hallway, the lift or the cafeteria. Take advantage of these situations for your own self-marketing. An important person is standing behind you in the queue at the cafeteria? Talk to them. If that person doesn‘t know you, introduce yourself and tell them which department you work in. And if they already know you, be pleased that you’ve run into them, inquire how they are, or briefly update them on the status of your work.

Tip

Regularly consider what useful, timely and insightful information you can contribute should a chance encounter arise.

If you apply these 7 tactics regularly and focus on what information is useful and creates added value for the other person, you will quickly improve your visibility and impact. Moreover, you will contribute to the growth of the team as a whole, because you create win-win situations that will benefit not only you, but also your partners.

Find the self-marketing glasses ??

I've hidden a pair of glasses in the header image ?? It will help you look at yourself and your actions from a new perspective, through self-marketing glasses. Do you find them? ??

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